Tennessee State legislators have put forth commensurate bills (House Bill 47/Senate Bill 303) that would allow for the public display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. This is a good idea. Why?
First, the historical and cultural significance of the Ten Commandments is reason enough to display them. Western legal and moral traditions have been based on the Decalogue, and they are often viewed as the foundation of the legal systems in many countries, including the United States.
Axioms like “Thou shalt not steal” or “Thou shalt not kill” or the need for parental respect or the respect for private property are a part of our common law tradition based on the Ten Commandments.
Second, displaying the Ten Commandments acknowledges the religious heritage of our nation. America has never been a theocracy, like Israel was. Yet, take a cultural blood-test of the American psyche and our DNA is Christian.
The Ten Commandments acknowledges the Judeo-Christian framework of our founding and cultural identity. This is not necessarily an endorsement of the Christian religion as much as it is a recognition of its historical influence.
Third, the Ten Commandments have served as moral structure for civilized society as they benefit and promote civil ethics and good citizenship. Honesty, respect for parents, and prohibitions against theft and murder are assumed truths we have depended on for a well-ordered society, truths that could more than help in the cultural milieu of the public schools.
Fourth, the Decalogue has served as a legal framework for law and ethics. The Ten Commandments have been displayed in public spaces under certain conditions. For example, the Supreme Court case Van Orden v. Perry (2005) allowed for their display on the Texas State Capitol grounds. Further, in the U.S. House of Representatives the face of Moses (Ten Commandments in hand) is etched in the balcony panels that face the Speaker’s Chair.
Fifth, the freedom of religion versus freedom from religion debate is often used as a reason not to display the Ten Commandments.
However, the removal of religious symbols from public spaces (and they’re everywhere, especially in the nation’s Capital) may serve as a squelching of religious freedom and expression. Jefferson’s “wall of separation” should not be interpreted to exclude all religious expressions from public life.
Finally, in some communities writ large, there may be a consensus or strong support for displaying the Commandments on public property because they reflect shared community values. For these reasons, and others, the Tennessee legislature should vote to allow for the public display of the Ten Commandments in our public schools. It can’t hurt.
