Collier County, Florida, commissioners voted 4–1 last week to include the Ten Commandments in public displays of historic documents in county buildings. The measure has provoked heated debate over religious influence in government settings, highlighting fault lines between moral heritage and church-state separation.
On August 26, 2025, the Collier County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution to incorporate the Ten Commandments into historical exhibits, alongside documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. These displays are planned for select county buildings. Commissioner Burt Saunders was the lone dissenting vote, stating that while he supports the values in the Ten Commandments, he believes the move is divisive and outside the appropriate role of county government.
Commissioner Chris Hall of District 2 sponsored the measure after a conversation with an 87-year-old school board member inspired him to promote what he sees as the moral foundations of American law. Hall clarified the intent was not religious, saying, “This proposal has nothing to do with religion. Zero. Zilch. Nada.” He emphasized that including the Ten Commandments in a broader historical context aligns with constitutional guidelines.
Public comments reflected a divided community. Thirty-nine residents spoke during the meeting, most opposing the plan. Critics argued the display could be seen as a government endorsement of a specific religion, violating the concept of church-state separation. Rev. Sharon Harris-Euing of the Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida argued the move was inappropriate and warned against placing Christianity in a preferred position within government spaces. Commissioner Saunders read a letter from a concerned resident who feared the display could undermine religious neutrality.
Supporters defended the decision as an affirmation of the nation’s historical and moral roots. Jerry Rutherford, a local advocate of the measure, argued the Ten Commandments offer enduring civic values. County Attorney Jeffrey Klatzkow confirmed that such displays are legally defensible when part of a broader historical exhibit, not a standalone religious statement. Final design plans and display locations will be determined in coordination with the county attorney and local officials in the coming weeks.
