State Pushes For Ten Commandments In Public Schools
South Dakota lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 51, which would require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The bill, introduced by Sen. John Carley and Rep. Phil Jensen, specifies that the display must be no smaller than 8 by 14 inches, with the text in a large, clear font. Additionally, the bill mandates that the display include an explanation of the Ten Commandments’ historical significance, and it allows for the inclusion of other key documents, such as the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.
Supporters of the bill, like Carley, believe that the Ten Commandments are fundamental to the moral foundation of the United States and that displaying them in schools would encourage ethical behavior among students. Carley pointed out that fostering respect for parents and reducing undesirable behaviors like theft and dishonesty would benefit both families and law enforcement. The bill has, however, stirred debate regarding the separation of church and state, with opponents questioning whether the government should promote religious teachings.
Opponents, including the ACLU’s South Dakota chapter, argue that the bill breaches the First Amendment, which prohibits government endorsement of religious beliefs in public schools. They contend that such a mandate could make students who do not follow the Ten Commandments feel excluded. The ACLU also referenced the 1980 Supreme Court decision in Stone v. Graham, which ruled that a similar law in Kentucky, requiring the Ten Commandments’ display in classrooms, violated the Constitution.
This bill comes at a time when similar laws are facing legal challenges in other states. In Louisiana, a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments and other historical documents in schools is currently being disputed in court. A federal judge temporarily blocked the law’s enforcement in November, but an appellate court later allowed it to be enforced in districts not involved in the lawsuit. The South Dakota bill is expected to face similar legal scrutiny if it passes.
As the bill progresses, it continues to spark concerns over the role of religion in public education. The outcome of the legislation could influence how similar laws are treated in other states and may have broader implications for the ongoing debate about church-state separation in American schools.