LONDON, Ky. — A conservative legal defense organization filed an appeal Wednesday to a ruling that requires the Ten Commandments to be removed from public buildings in three Kentucky counties.

        Mathew Staver, an attorney for the Liberty Counsel in Orlando, Fla., said he asked that the appeal be sent to the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in March that Ohio's motto, “With God All Things Are Possible,” is constitutional.

        In that ruling, the justices noted a difference between the establishment of religion and the public acknowledgment of religion.

        “I don't believe the Constitution requires us to re move part of our history simply because it has been shaped by religion,” Mr. Staver said.

        The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in November 1999 after the Harlan County school board and the McCreary and Pulaski fiscal courts posted the commandments. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Coffman ruled in June that the displays are unconstitutional.

        Mr. Staver said he believes Ms. Coffman erred in ordering the commandments' removal.

        “There is a distinct difference between the establishment of religion and the acknowledgment of religion,” he said, pointing to the Ohio motto case.

        The appeals court could rule by next spring.

Flash floods kill 2 in Fairfax, sweep teen to her death
teens were on way to help out a friend
Victims were kind, helpful
Dozens rescued in flood from rising Little Muddy
Flooded businesses forced to close
Floods of recent past carried stunning deadly force
Smallest creeks can be deadliest
Storm notebook
System swooped in from northwest
Be wary of flood water
Educator Maynard coming back to zoo
Feds talk to police review members
Man arrested in saliva-throwing case
Ujima culture festival gearing up
Wehrung to be tried as an adult
Ohio River yields up sixth body from crash
Police to get pepper-ball rifles
PULFER: Keeneland sale
Tristate A.M. Report
Lebanon may curb multiunit dwellings
Mason schools add administrators
Talawanda students lose automatic MU admission
Death sentence upheld
New plates hit road in October
Prison chief wants electric chair retired
Schools swing back to segregation
Sensors show 'weigh' to go
Society to mark 1790s military post
16 named to Civil Rights Hall
Boone chiefs begin planning fire training center
Civil rights pioneers enter hall of fame
Commandments ruling is appealed
Kentucky News Briefs
OxyContin maker defends strong pill
Spirited bidding at Keeneland sale