WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court Monday let a Southern California school district ban the Ten Commandments from a fence at a high school baseball field.
The court, without comment, left intact the district's rejection of an advertisement that included the commandments. Monday's action set no legal precedent because it was a denial of review, not a decision.
A Downey, Calif., businessman who wanted to post an ad that included the commandments said the school district's refusal unlawfully discriminated against religious speech and violated religious freedom. But a federal appeals court ruled he was wrong.
The district's lawyers said officials took reasonable steps in an attempt to avoid expensive litigation over controversial signs.
The justices are expected to decide by late June a Texas case asking whether public school districts may allow students to lead football stadium crowds in prayers before games.