TN lawmaker pushing to allow schools to display Ten Commandments, other historical documents
In recent years, bills requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms have been proposed in states including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Tennessee lawmaker is pushing for the Ten Commandments, alongside other historical documents, to be allowed to be displayed in schools.
Rep. Michael Hale (R-Smithville) introduced House Bill 0047 which pushes to allow local boards of education and other governing bodies to decide if their schools should display certain historical documents.
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The documents listed in the proposed bill are as follows...
- the Ten Commandments
- the Declaration of Independence
- the United States Constitution
- the Constitution of Tennessee
- the Bill of Rights
- a resolution honoring the history of a school in the LEA or the public charter school
- or other historically significant documents in a prominent location in each school building
“As introduced, authorizes local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, a resolution honoring the history of a school in the LEA or the public charter school, or other historically significant documents in a prominent location in each school building,” the bill reads.
Late in 2024, a federal appeals court stopped the State of Louisiana from requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in public school classrooms in 2025.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a state request to temporarily stay an earlier order by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles in Baton Rouge while litigation continues. Arguments before a 5th Circuit panel are scheduled for Jan. 23, meaning the judge’s order stays in effect well past the law’s Jan. 1 deadline to post the commandments.
In recent years, similar bills requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms have been proposed in states including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah. None have passed.
In 1980, the Supreme Court ruled that a similar Kentucky law was unconstitutional. The court found that the law had a plainly religious purpose and no secular one.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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