Ussc Frieze Honoring World Religion

Discussion in 'History & Geography' started by Marie Mallery, Feb 6, 2024.

  1. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Interesting fact about our Supreme Court Walls and who they put up. I don't think it is a good representation of American law.
    What do you think?


    • Courtroom friezes: The South Wall Frieze includes figures of lawgivers from the ancient world and includes Menes, Hammurabi, Moses, Solomon, Lycurgus, Solon, Draco, Confucius, and Augustus. The North Wall Frieze shows lawgivers from the Middle Ages on and includes representations of Justinian, Muhammad, Charlemagne, John, King of England, Louis IX of France, Hugo Grotius, Sir William Blackstone, John Marshall, and Napoleon. The Moses frieze depicts him holding the Ten Commandments, although only commandments six through ten, usually considered the more secular commands, are visible. In 1997, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) asked for the image of Muhammad to be removed from the marble frieze of the façade. While appreciating that Muhammad was included in the court's pantheon of 18 prominent lawgivers of history, CAIR noted that Islam discourages depictions of Muhammad in any artistic representation. CAIR also objected that Muhammad was shown with a sword, which they claimed reinforced stereotypes of Muslims as intolerant conquerors. Chief Justice William Rehnquist rejected the request to sandblast Muhammad, saying the artwork "was intended only to recognize him, among many other lawgivers, as an important figure in the history of law; it is not intended as a form of idol worship". The court later added a footnote to tourist materials, calling it "a well-intentioned attempt by the sculptor to honor Muhammad".[28]
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      Visitors enter through pocket doors made by General Bronze and must arrive before business hours to view. They are rolled into wall recesses each morning as the building opens.
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      The Supreme Court courtroom interior with its Siena marble
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  2. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Lots of history in our history.
     
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  3. Jake Smith

    Jake Smith Very Well-Known Member
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    But then again, I repeat myself. lol
     
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