1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

The proposal to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom is a concerning violation of the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. Public schools should be secular spaces that welcome students of all faiths and none, without promoting any particular religious doctrine. Imposing one religion's sacred text on all students is coercive and alienating for those who do not adhere to that faith. This mandate disregards the diversity of religious beliefs among students and families. Even among faiths that recognize the Ten Commandments, there are differences in how they are phrased and interpreted. By codifying a specific version, the state would be taking sides in a theological debate that is not its place to adjudicate. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has previously ruled that such displays in public schools violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Enacting this bill would likely invite costly legal challenges that the state would struggle to defend, wasting taxpayer resources on an unconstitutional policy. Public education should focus on providing a high-quality, well-rounded education that prepares all students for success, not indoctrinating them with a particular religious worldview. I urge you to reject this misguided proposal and uphold the separation of church and state that has served our democracy so well. Schools should be places of learning, not religious promotion.