Arkansas Mandates Ten Commandments Displays in Schools Amid Continued Debate
As discussions about the place of religious documents in educational settings persist, Arkansas has emerged as the latest state to mandate the presence of Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms. This legislative move highlights ongoing debates regarding religion’s role in public education.
Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas recently enacted Senate Bill 433, adding it to a series of measures she has approved. The Republican-majority Arkansas Senate passed the bill with a 27-4 vote, while the House of Representatives approved it with a 71-20 vote. These votes were largely divided along party lines.
The new law requires that all public school classrooms, libraries, and taxpayer-funded buildings display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments and the national motto “In God We Trust.” Additionally, it mandates the display of both the U.S. and Arkansas state flags in these locations.
Governor Sanders’ approval of Senate Bill 433 comes shortly after she signed House Bill 1705. This legislation, supported by a 76-19 vote in the House and a 28-5 vote in the Senate, calls for the Arkansas Board of Education to integrate teachings about the founding fathers’ religious beliefs into the social studies curriculum for grades six through 12.
The curriculum will delve into the Declaration of Independence’s assertion of inherent rights and examine how the Founding Fathers’ religious beliefs influenced American law and public policy, including their reliance on sources like the Ten Commandments.
Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver commended the Arkansas legislation, stating, “We commend Arkansas legislators for taking steps to display the Ten Commandments and give students a proper education on the Founders’ religious and moral convictions.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the role of these principles in the nation’s founding.
Echoing this sentiment, former talk show host Phil McGraw weighed in on the debate through his podcast, “The Real Story.” He supported the presence of Ten Commandments displays to counteract societal influences like “false gods of social media, money, celebrities, and politicians.”
Arkansas follows in the footsteps of Louisiana, which previously passed similar legislation. However, the law faced legal challenges, leading to a federal judge issuing a block, later narrowed by a federal appellate court to specific districts under dispute.
These legislative actions and judicial responses continue to fuel discussions on the balance between religious expression and educational policy in public schools.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
