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Would You Want the 10 Commandments Displayed at Your Child's School?
Filed under: Religion & Spirituality, Education: Big Kids, Education: Tweens, Education: Teens
Thou shalt not display at school? Credit: Rob Sheridan, Flickr
This has the potential to become a battle of biblical proportions. Over at local news website Roanoke.com, one commenter writes: "Freedom of religion means freedom from religion. If those parents, students and residents need to be reminded of what the ten commandments are, they ought to carry a wallet card." And from the opposite side of the church aisle: "I am totally behind the school board in placing these 'commandments' back where my son can be reminded daily of the true values that are so important in these times that we live in now. If people don't want to see them, don't read them!!!"
What do you think? Is it wrong to display the 10 Commandments, a religious document, at a public school? Or is this much ado about nothing?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
1-21-2011 @ 2:02PM
Michelle said...These should not be placed in the public schools. If parents want to see the 10 Commandments in school, they should send their child to a private, Christian school. Although the majority of Americans may be Christian, I am seeing more and more students of different ethnic background and religions (or non-religious) at my kids' school. If I saw the 10 Commandments hanging up at my kids's school, it would appear to me that the school is trying to push those religious rules on all the students there. I wouldn't like to see passages from the Book of Mormon or the Koran, or a picture of Joseph Smith or a statue of Buddah at the school. It is wrong, even it makes only one student uncomfortable. Keep church out of schools.
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1-21-2011 @ 3:51PM
terri said...HMMM~~it is going to be so nice when all you ignorant people will have to stand before GOD Almighty and give an account as to why you have shut him out of your lives and the lives of the children HE has so blessed you with~~pretty sad, and yet you still are left trying to figure out why the world and our schools are in such terrible crisis! Keep shutting GOD out and he will keep shutting you out! Instead of getting mad or whatever it is you people do or think when you see another child get murdered at school, or someone goes on a shooting rampage, where does that come from? Most of you will probably blame GOD before you will ever blame YOURSELVES!! So sad to see how this world just keeps getting worse and worse....this is the time when we should all be on our knees praying and seeking GOD for HIS grace and mercy! When I hear, see all the crap that is going on day by day (same sex marriages, GOD out of the schools~~what about my rights?), I remember not to get mad but know that GOD loves the sinner but hates the sin, and for me to keep living my life right in HIS eyes til the day HE comes.....and what a day that will be......when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that HE is LORD of all!!
1-21-2011 @ 5:16PM
Michelle said...Whatever, Terri. You are the one who is ignorant; ignorant about anyone else who doesn't think exactly the same way you do. I AM a Christian, but that doesn't mean that I don't respect the beliefs of others. There are plenty of taxpayers supporting our public schools that are not of the same religion as you and I, and why should they pay taxes to a SCHOOL district that thinks they are a CHURCH? Besides, I do not want my child's teacher preaching about God, when that isn't something they were trained to do. That is something that should be done at home and church. If you teach your child good Christian morals at home, those will stay with your child into the classroom and beyond. Everyone has the option to send their child to a private religious school, and believe me, those schools do everything in their power to make you be able to afford it. The religious schools in my area do not turn anyone away. There's also the option of home schooling, too, so get over it.
1-23-2011 @ 8:01PM
deena345 said...I am just truely amazed at the lack of God believing people in this world. The one Man that gave so many life that does not appreciate nor stand up for Him. The bible mentions how it is a sin to keep your children from the teaching of the Lord.......I hope you dont keep them from His Word as you seem to down Him for his laws.
1-22-2011 @ 3:59PM
JIM said...THERE IS NO REASON TO HAVE RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
THERE IS A CHURCH ON ALMOST EVERY STREET CORNER.
IF PEOPLE WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION TAKE THEM TO CHURCH OR SEND THEM TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS
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1-21-2011 @ 2:14PM
Diana B. said...Why stop at just the 10 Commandments? Why not include the Roman 12 Tables of Law (which every ancient Roman kid had to know by the time they were 10), the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi (on which the 10 Commendmants are based), the Magna Carta, ancient Greek law, Napoleonic law, and other legal concepts on which our system is based?
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1-21-2011 @ 2:37PM
Dale said...Post the Commandments. You don't have to read them if you don't like it. Tell the protestors to take a hike. This is a christian nation no matter what some think. Get a life people. GOD was our creator.
1-21-2011 @ 2:27PM
Russ said...It's important to remember that our whole society and our laws are based on a Judeo-Christian understanding of what is right and wrong. That understanding begins with the 10 Commandments. As we lose that foundation, we lose our society and our freedom. That includes freedom OF religion (not FROM religion). You have never seen a society that was totally without religion and you don't want to!
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1-21-2011 @ 2:39PM
Duse said...Our country was founded upon Christian ideals and the majority of us are Christian. Why should our children be the ones to have to attend private schools. Why isn't this burden placed upon atheists, Buddhists, etc.?
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1-21-2011 @ 6:13PM
Sandyone said...I wouldn't mind the 10 Commandments being displayed, but I'd probably have a problem with the equivalent display of a non-Judeo-Christian religion.
For that reason, I would think it wise for a school to post something from whatever religions have such basics or not display any at all. I think it would be cool for kids to see the similarities and differences between the different cultures and religions.
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1-22-2011 @ 9:28AM
Jennifer said...No way. We don't need schools endorsing one bit of superstitious drivel over any other kind of superstitious drivel. Just leave religion out of public education (PLEASE!) and we'll be just fine. Put the 10 commandments in a private, religious, school. Public school is for children of all faiths. Or none. I will not have such a ridiculous fantasy as religion foisted on my son as truth.
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1-22-2011 @ 11:02AM
Ruth North said...Sounds as if it is State endorsement of one (or two, to be exact) religions, which is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. Giving much of the same list as a good rule for life, and presenting them in a non-religious context just might be a good idea, but leave out any reference to religious practices, and in elementary school, probably not a great idea to mention adultery, which could lead to some parental difficulty in explaining it to the younger kids.
Particular Religions being "endorsed" in public schools is a slippery slope, helping bullies to go after anyone who is "not in step" with the "accepted" religious beliefs, and making some children feel they are outcasts because their beliefs are not in sync.
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1-22-2011 @ 11:52AM
Sara said...To be honest I'm not sure why this is an issue. The 10 commandments are actually some pretty good rules to live by and I don't even attend a church. I have two school age kids and they bring home lessons that teach every other culture, including touching on religion, which I think is wonderful. However I find that we don't teach basic Christianity in schools because then it offends people. I'm not sure why. In order to reach a goal of tolerance, all religions and cultures should be touched upon in the schools. I think it's great when my sons who are being brought up in a house that celebrates the Christian holidays learn about the Jewish and Muslim holidays but shouldn't the other students learn the same things? My kids should be exposed to all cultures, not ignorant of them but on the other hand shouldn't the other side of the coin mean that the other cultures be exposed to things they know nothing of as well?
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1-22-2011 @ 12:19PM
Kyla said...First, I am not a Christian; that said, I wouldn't have any problem with the commandments being quietly on display. The basic principles tend to be rather common among most spiritual systems, my own included. Some things, like not killing people, not taking stuff that's not yours, shouldn't need to be looked up to begin with. My concern, however, is how long before "quietly displayed" becomes "preached in class"? I never have a problem with any religion telling others what they believe, only with them imposing what they believe.
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1-22-2011 @ 1:31PM
jennifer said...people...come on! religion a~side, we cant go wrong simply reminding children of moral right and wrongs. should'nt we at least display some loving rules on life? something has to be done.....but definately not arguing about whats right and wrong about it. lets put SOMETHING in schools to "remind" them to behave! telling them...."thou shalt love thy neighbor".....cant be all bad....can it? put your differences a~side and SAY SOMETHING!
1-22-2011 @ 5:34PM
Heather said...There is this thing in the Constitution called Separation of Church and State. It is technically illegal for a public school to enforce any rule that brings religion of ANY kind into the school. I'm a Christian and it would still offend me to see this in my child's school. Freedom of religion does include freedom from religion if that's the choice that someone has made.
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1-23-2011 @ 8:28AM
Chris said...THIS IS ALL SO SAD!!!!! As long as people continue arguing about crap like this.... that btw..... has NOTHIING to do with the REAL ISSUE....then NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE!!!!!! GOD IS NOT RELIGION, HE IS LOVE, and that it why people dont mind the LOVING acts of kindness to tell your kids "HEY, DONT KILL YOUR FRIEND" or "DONT STEAL STUFF" and "WHEN YOUR MOM OR DAD SAYS SOMETHING TO YOU DONT CUSS THEM OUT" hmmmm I GUESS SOMEONE OUT THERE MIGHT BE OFFENDED FOR TELLING THEIR KIDS NOT TO KILL OR STEAL FROM OTHER KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
MIGHT I REMIND SOMEONE THAT MY GOD SAYS THE ENEMY (AND YES WE DO HAVE ONE) DESIRES VERY MUCH TO KILL, STEAL AND DESTROY!! SO GO AHEAD HE (THE DEVIL) LOVES YOU TO ARGUE NOT TO TELL YOUR KIDS THESE SO CALLED "RELIGIOUS RULES" NOT RULES TO SAVE YOUR LIFE OF COARSE, THEY MIGHT OFFEND THE OTHER KID!!!
UUUUURRRGGGGG!!!!! THIS DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE MERCY ON US ALL OH GOD!!!!!! HAVE MERCY ON OUR INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!!!!!
GOD TAKES CARE OF OUR KIDS CUZ WE "ADULTS" WILL ARGUE OVER THE COLOR OF THE SKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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1-23-2011 @ 7:00PM
Alicia said...Every religious system and law code has a basis nearly identical to the ten commandments, but it would be impossible to decide which to post. That said, why not make "rules" interactive for the kids, so they feel like they have a say in what's right and wrong rather than just telling them. Let every class come up with a list of life laws that everyone should follow inside and outside the classroom, let the kids help decorate it and then hang them all in the halls. It's much cuter than the 10 Commandments and not nearly so controversial.
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1-23-2011 @ 7:15PM
Ashley said...As a Christian I feel that the Ten Commandments should remain in schools. After all what could telling kids not to lie hurt. That being said I have respect and tolerance for other religions and think that they should be able to post as well. This country was founded on the notion of religious freedom; because England and other parts of Europe did not have religious freedom at the time. I think all religions should have the option of being represented or none of them should be represented. We should be kinder and more understanding of each other; and not dwell on the differences of each other; but instead focus on our likenesses. It would make the world a better place.
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1-23-2011 @ 8:09PM
deena345 said...i find nothing wrong with displaying the laws of our Father. It saddens me to see so many against our Lord, the creator of us all, the one that gave us the children we love and hold everyday. What a blessing He has given us and what a shame that so many aren't even thankful. One day all knees shall bow and know that he is God.....I for one am glad I will not have to explain to Him why I hated Him. Because ultimately, that is what you are doing when you forbid His laws to be read in ANY place. Or when you put a persons comment down that loves their Father.
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