An absolutely ridiculous idea and an egregious waste of taxpayer dollars to consider and to have to defend. Are these same folks willing to have documents posted about every other religion including statements by atheists and agnostics? The walls will be totally covered and then the issue will be which one gets the best location on the wall. There will be no wall space available for any other business. Plus, we wouldn't want to slight the devil worshipers.
(The sponsor) believes their fundamental role in the founding of the country should mean they (i.e., the Ten Commandments) becomes (sic) mandatory for students to see. (parenthetical material supplied).
The fact that some of the Founding Fathers were no doubt religious men and even Christian or that they themselves believed in the 10 commandments does not mean they wanted them to be “mandatory” or enacted into law so as to traumatize and “chill” the freedom of expression of the non-christian children. In fact, historically, the Fathers went to considerable lengths to achieve the contrary.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.
- Letter of Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists.
Separation of church and state (the Founders’ only and primary directive concerning religions) is deeply engrained in the US Constitution; the 10 commandments and other Jewish and Christian scriptures are not even mentioned.
I am a Christian. I do not believe it is Christian to make the Christian religion mandatory for others or to diminish or to refuse to tolerate their beliefs or to display the kind of sinful hubris that conveys that my faith contains more truth than theirs. It might for me, but it doesn’t necessarily for others.
I do notice that the sponsor said: "It is an amazing way to display this along with other founding documents in our schools”. (Italics supplied for emphasis). I do not agree with the inaccurate premise that the 10 commandments are a "Founding Document". If the course material being studied is comparative religions, then the 10 commandments should be included in the course material. If the course is American Colonial History or American Founding Documents, then not.
The intent of this bill is to “indoctrinate” children. It is not to teach them a full and accurate picture of the American melting pot. It is wrong to do this (i.e., making a religious doctrine mandatory and thus limiting their religious freedom)to our children even though the bill's sponsors and adherents feel like their religion requires them to do it.
We have plenty of laws mandating moral and legal requirements in our society. They thoroughly govern perjury, theft, murder and other recognized societal offenses. If not to (unconstitutionally) “make no law respecting an establishment of religion” why are the sponsors including the rest of the ten commandments concerning worshipping no God before me, respecting the sabbath, not taking the lord’s name in vain, etc. if not to come in the back door to pass a law “respecting an establishment of religion? This might be a well-intended law, but in substance it is a paper thinly veiled establishment of religion.
It's time to stand up for true principles! If we’re going to allow representations of one religious text, then ALL beliefs deserve equal visibility—be it the Quran, Buddhist teachings, or any other faith. What we are witnessing is not true Christianity; this is Christian Nationalism masquerading as faith. Let’s put an end to this divisive dogma and stop squandering taxpayer dollars on this misguided agenda.
This is cute. The fact is these "Christian" leaders in this state are nothing more than Pharisees. They co-opt God to line their pockets and perpetuate their degenerate and vile culture. This is nothing more than a marketing stunt to hide their ongoing crimes against humanity.
What a waste of time and tax payer money for SD and the AG as well a potential lawsuit because it violates the separation of church and state. Schools could have a code of ethics that they post but to post a religious document pushing one religion's beliefs onto kids that may not follow that religion is wrong.
Also - how can adults tell kids not to lie, cheat and steal when President Trump does all that and still gets re-elected?
Let parents pass on their religious beliefs to their children - it is not the governments job to do that.
Ummm, for those crying “religious”? What moral laws (all laws are based on some morality or religious belief) does “don’t steel, don’t kill, don’t slander your neighbor” come from and what harm does it cause to remind people not to kill someone? Which moral law would you like to be legally under? If you don’t like a moral law, then do you call the police if your business gets broken into or your car stolen? Why?
I have no problem with those universal laws like don't kill, cheat, steal or lie but the commandments also tell people that there is only one God which not all religions agree with. Perhaps have a list of a Schools code of ethics posted instead.
An absolutely ridiculous idea and an egregious waste of taxpayer dollars to consider and to have to defend. Are these same folks willing to have documents posted about every other religion including statements by atheists and agnostics? The walls will be totally covered and then the issue will be which one gets the best location on the wall. There will be no wall space available for any other business. Plus, we wouldn't want to slight the devil worshipers.
(The sponsor) believes their fundamental role in the founding of the country should mean they (i.e., the Ten Commandments) becomes (sic) mandatory for students to see. (parenthetical material supplied).
The fact that some of the Founding Fathers were no doubt religious men and even Christian or that they themselves believed in the 10 commandments does not mean they wanted them to be “mandatory” or enacted into law so as to traumatize and “chill” the freedom of expression of the non-christian children. In fact, historically, the Fathers went to considerable lengths to achieve the contrary.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.
- Letter of Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists.
Separation of church and state (the Founders’ only and primary directive concerning religions) is deeply engrained in the US Constitution; the 10 commandments and other Jewish and Christian scriptures are not even mentioned.
I am a Christian. I do not believe it is Christian to make the Christian religion mandatory for others or to diminish or to refuse to tolerate their beliefs or to display the kind of sinful hubris that conveys that my faith contains more truth than theirs. It might for me, but it doesn’t necessarily for others.
I do notice that the sponsor said: "It is an amazing way to display this along with other founding documents in our schools”. (Italics supplied for emphasis). I do not agree with the inaccurate premise that the 10 commandments are a "Founding Document". If the course material being studied is comparative religions, then the 10 commandments should be included in the course material. If the course is American Colonial History or American Founding Documents, then not.
The intent of this bill is to “indoctrinate” children. It is not to teach them a full and accurate picture of the American melting pot. It is wrong to do this (i.e., making a religious doctrine mandatory and thus limiting their religious freedom)to our children even though the bill's sponsors and adherents feel like their religion requires them to do it.
We have plenty of laws mandating moral and legal requirements in our society. They thoroughly govern perjury, theft, murder and other recognized societal offenses. If not to (unconstitutionally) “make no law respecting an establishment of religion” why are the sponsors including the rest of the ten commandments concerning worshipping no God before me, respecting the sabbath, not taking the lord’s name in vain, etc. if not to come in the back door to pass a law “respecting an establishment of religion? This might be a well-intended law, but in substance it is a paper thinly veiled establishment of religion.
Well written. Thanks.
It's time to stand up for true principles! If we’re going to allow representations of one religious text, then ALL beliefs deserve equal visibility—be it the Quran, Buddhist teachings, or any other faith. What we are witnessing is not true Christianity; this is Christian Nationalism masquerading as faith. Let’s put an end to this divisive dogma and stop squandering taxpayer dollars on this misguided agenda.
When Donald Trump starts respecting the 10 Commandments then & only then should this be considered!
Does Marty Jackley live by the Ten Commandments?
That would guarantee it will never be discussed.
Acts of faith through coercion are a reflection of a weak and dying faith.
This is cute. The fact is these "Christian" leaders in this state are nothing more than Pharisees. They co-opt God to line their pockets and perpetuate their degenerate and vile culture. This is nothing more than a marketing stunt to hide their ongoing crimes against humanity.
The Panama Canal from one corner! The Ten Commandments from the other! The 2026 Governor's race is on!!
I wonder if Family Research Council is going to offer to pay for them, and then volunteer to enforce the law? Local control, right?? 😂
What a waste of time and tax payer money for SD and the AG as well a potential lawsuit because it violates the separation of church and state. Schools could have a code of ethics that they post but to post a religious document pushing one religion's beliefs onto kids that may not follow that religion is wrong.
Also - how can adults tell kids not to lie, cheat and steal when President Trump does all that and still gets re-elected?
Let parents pass on their religious beliefs to their children - it is not the governments job to do that.
https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/south-dakota-republican-proposes?r=1xrzbf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Ummm, for those crying “religious”? What moral laws (all laws are based on some morality or religious belief) does “don’t steel, don’t kill, don’t slander your neighbor” come from and what harm does it cause to remind people not to kill someone? Which moral law would you like to be legally under? If you don’t like a moral law, then do you call the police if your business gets broken into or your car stolen? Why?
I have no problem with those universal laws like don't kill, cheat, steal or lie but the commandments also tell people that there is only one God which not all religions agree with. Perhaps have a list of a Schools code of ethics posted instead.