Oakland, Ca. 94605
RE: Violation of 1st Amendment "Separation of Church and State"
Dear City of Oakland, Mayor Jean Quan, Oakland Zoo,
My name is Joey Piscitelli, and I am a supporter of the Oakland Zoo, and have attended several events at the zoo, including weddings and other occasions at the "Snow Building", located on the Zoo property; which you authoritatively rent out to the public as an event center.
I am also a supporter of 1st Amendment rights, freedom of religious choice, and equality. To my shock, I was very disappointed to see that the City of Oakland displays a very large monument at the Snow Building entitled: "The Ten Commandments". This monument is categorically a Christian symbol; and a blatant pronouncement of adherence to the Bible and the belief in the Christian God.
This doctrine is certified by the first phrase carved onto the monument which states:
" I am the Lord thy God" in large bold letters.
The second phrase states that:
" Thou shalt not have any other Gods before me".
These are not ambiguous or generic phrases venerating a broad scope of deities, collectively known or shared as a universal "God", but rather they are in fact very specific literal religious commands by the monument and its placement; to set forth the obedience to its Christian content chosen by its donor.
I believe the donor of this monument willfully and expressly intended to proselytize the Christian doctrine, and to solidify their conviction that the Christian religion and its God and the Bible are the authoritative religion in the USA; as evidenced by their very clear statements on the donors website.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles, who "donated" this monument created in 1965 which exists at the Zoo now - make no secret about their boasting of their accomplished successful placement of the Ten Commandments on "public" properties throughout the USA. This intent and conduct denigrates the views and beliefs of countless opposing citizens; and allows special treatment to only Christian doctrine -- irrespective of equal opportunity.
If in fact, this was merely an act of equal free speech, then why is this particular religious monument the only opinionated non-secular monument displayed on Oakland Zoo public property? No other representations of other beliefs are visibly posted anywhere at all on the massive acreage referred to as the "Oakland Zoo".
I am aware that different states have had different Supreme Court decisions handed down concerning the posting of the Ten Commandments on public properties. One of the weakest arguments for the posting is that : "no one has complained about it's placement in (37) years." (Which may not be proven as factual.)
This argument does not dissuade the problem of specific religious endorsement by public entities - it exasperates it.
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