Someone recently said that I was one of only 12 state senators who voted against having the Lord's Prayer in schools.

The vote in question was on an amendment to a bill that would allow state and local governments to post a display of the "Foundations of American Law and Government." The Senate Judiciary Committee decided on a display to include the Ten Commandments, the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Star-Spangled Banner, the Bill of Rights, the Preamble to the South Carolina Constitution, the national motto "In God We Trust" and the image of Lady Justice.

Why these historical items? Two U.S. appellate courts have ruled that this display (minus the South Carolina Constitution's preamble, of course) satisfies the First Amendment.

Although the bill made it through the committee process, a group of Democratic senators was determined to kill it, primarily because it included the Ten Commandments. When it came up for debate on the Senate floor, these Democratic senators offered several amendments in an attempt to prevent passage. The most clever "poison pill" was Sen. Brad Hutto's amendment to include the Lord's Prayer in the display.

The proposed "Foundations of American Law and Government" display bill is constitutional. Mr. Hutto knew that if he included a purely religious document, the entire bill became constitutionally suspect. He also thought that it would be extremely difficult for Republican senators to vote against the Lord's Prayer.

The South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Palmetto Family Alliance, both strong backers of the legislation, publicly opposed the Lord's Prayer amendment because they knew it was designed to destroy the bill.

When the vote came on the amendment, I voted "no" because I wanted to ensure that our local governments have a means of displaying the Ten Commandments and other foundational documents.

Unfortunately, the amendment passed because too many senators were scared of being seen voting against the Lord's Prayer. Consequently, the bill, which ultimately passed with amendments, is now certain to be challenged as an unconstitutional establishment of religion.

If you have a question about one of my votes or a position I hold, just ask. Send me an e-mail to shanemassey@scsenate.org, give me a call at (803) 480-0419 or just pull me aside when you see me.Â

Shane Massey, of Edgefield, represents South Carolina's Senate District 25. He is opposed in the November general election by Democrat Greg Anderson, also of Edgefield.