Letter to the Editor: Ten Commandments doesn’t belong in schools

Dear editor,

I hope the people of Louisiana will reconsider the decision to post the Ten Commandments in public schools. It is crucial to uphold the principle that the state should not endorse religious texts in any of America’s public schools.

There are numerous compelling reasons for this, including the separation of church and state, the religious diversity among students, legal precedents and the potential for disruption. Our focus should be on providing the best possible education for all students. Simply posting the Ten Commandments on school walls may attract political and media attention, but it will do little to enhance the educational experience or equip students with the necessary academic and life skills.

The controversy surrounding posting the Ten Commandments arises for several reasons:

1. Separation of church and state. The U.S. Constitution’s Establishment Clause prohibits government endorsement of religion. Displaying the Ten Commandments – a religious text – in public schools can be interpreted as government endorsement of a particular religion, which violates this principle.

2. Religious diversity. Public schools serve students from various religious backgrounds. Posting the Ten Commandments, specific to Judeo-Christian traditions, can alienate and marginalize students of other faiths or those who are nonreligious.

3. Legal precedents. Several court rulings, including those by the Supreme Court, have deemed the display of religious texts in public schools unconstitutional. In Stone v. Graham (1980), the Supreme Court ruled that posting the Ten Commandments in public schools violates the Establishment Clause.

4. Educational focus. Public schools are considered secular institutions that provide a broad and inclusive education. Emphasizing religious texts can detract from this mission, shifting the focus from educational to religious instruction.

5. Potential for conflict. Introducing religious elements in public schools can lead to conflicts among students, parents and educators. It may create a divisive environment rather than one that is inclusive and respectful of all beliefs.

These reasons underscore the importance of separating religious practices and public education to ensure that schools remain inclusive and constitutionally compliant. Do we need or want to see God’s presence nationwide in our public school system? The answer lies in the actions of our brothers and sisters. It starts with dedicated teachers preparing for students from all backgrounds who walk through their doors every school day. They do so with open arms and open hearts. These students are the best and brightest and those who are unhappy, lost or feel neglected. They include those who have lost faith in others, have lost hope and are in great need of love. As might be expected, the exhortation to “love one another” appears frequently in the Bible, and in the Gospel of John, Christ himself commands us to love one another. Does the public school system turn students away, or is there evidence of love built into the system? The public school system feeds them when they’re hungry, nurses them when they are unwell, and counsels them to help heal their broken hearts. When they cannot speak, they are provided with someone to help them express themselves. We hug them because sometimes that is all they need. I feel blessed to observe the fruit of the spirit working in the lives of our young people every day. When school starts up again, look around. He is there!

—Stephen Kleinsmith, of Ozark and former Nixa Public Schools superintendent