For all of its brevity - it contains just 45 words - perhaps no other item in the law has caused as much passion and disagreement as the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Written in language that appears to be far more plain than what's found in most of today's legal documents, it guarantees several freedoms the American people regard highly: religion, speech, the press and assembly and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances.

If you've been following our news pages and letters-to-editor section of the editorial page, you should be familiar with an on-again, off-again situation that played out in Keyser, W.Va. It clearly illustrates the legal dilemma posed by the First Amendment's stipulation that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ... ."

Melvin Evans of the Keyser Presbyterian Church appeared before the Mineral County Commission in February with the church's request that it be allowed to place an Easter display on the Courthouse lawn for a week, consisting of either one or three crosses. It was not to be a permanent display.

Permission was initially granted, but rescinded after a complaint was filed by a county resident with Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Considerable debate followed, and the commission decided by 2-1 vote last week to allow placement of a cross for up to two hours as long as it is accompanied by a "ceremony." This is in line with existing policy of allowing private organizations to use the courthouse lawn for public displays.

We agree with the decision. Freedom from religion may include freedom from religion, but in our society - which under the 14th Amendment guarantees all of us the equal protection of the laws - no one should be be treated less fairly than any other because of religion.