1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

**Oppose SB0303: Protect Separation of Church and State in Public Schools** I am writing to urge you to vote no on SB0303, which would allow public schools to display the Ten Commandments. This legislation violates the fundamental constitutional principle of separation of church and state that protects both religious freedom and public education. The Supreme Court settled this issue in Stone v. Graham in 1980, striking down a Kentucky law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public classrooms. The Court ruled that such displays serve no secular legislative purpose and have the primary effect of advancing religion. SB0303 would place our state in direct conflict with established constitutional law and expose school districts to costly litigation they cannot afford. Public schools serve students from diverse religious backgrounds, including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and those who practice no religion. Mandating religious displays in these shared spaces sends a message that some students belong more than others. This creates an uncomfortable and exclusionary environment for children whose families hold different beliefs or no religious beliefs at all. The inevitable legal challenges will drain resources from classroom instruction, teacher salaries, and educational programs. School districts will be forced to spend taxpayer money defending an unconstitutional law rather than investing in student learning. Our schools face real challenges that deserve legislative attention, including teacher retention, infrastructure needs, and student mental health support. Religious expression thrives when it remains voluntary and free from government mandate. Parents have every right to teach their children religious values at home and in their places of worship. Government-mandated religious displays in public schools undermine rather than strengthen genuine faith by turning it into a political statement. I ask you to vote no on SB0303 and protect the constitutional rights of all students in our public schools. Our children deserve learning environments that welcome everyone regardless of their family's religious beliefs.