Why the Ten Commandments Don't Belong in Schools
The debate about displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools has resurfaced, stirring up old arguments.
Key Points
Outdated Interpretation: Some believe the First Amendment only restricts the federal government, not the states. This idea is outdated and doesn't hold up anymore.
Post-Civil War Changes: After the Civil War, the Supreme Court decided that most of the Bill of Rights applies to the states too. This means states can't pick and choose which religious ideas to promote in schools, including the Ten Commandments.
Variations in the Ten Commandments: The Ten Commandments aren't the same everywhere. Different religions and even different groups within the same religion have different versions. So, which one should schools display? The Jewish version? A Christian one? And which Christian version? There are many to choose from.
Supreme Court Building: Some people point to the Supreme Court building, which has a statue of Moses holding the Ten Commandments. But here's the thing: the tablets are blank. So, it's not really promoting any specific religion.
Founders' Intentions: The founders of the United States didn't want the government to support any one religion. James Madison, one of the key founders, was against it. He believed it would corrupt both the church and the state. There's no evidence that he or the other founders wanted the First Amendment to allow states to establish their own religions.
Biblical Principles: The idea that the U.S. was founded on biblical principles is also a stretch. Neither the Declaration of Independence nor the Constitution mentions this. The Ten Commandments also don't cover things like democracy, freedom, or human rights. These are all important parts of Western morality, but they don't come from the Ten Commandments.
