A bill mandating the Ten Commandments in state classrooms again narrowly moves forward despite contention – this time in the House Education Committee.
The bill squeaked through committee in an 8-7 vote Friday – a common trend for SB 51. It advanced from the Senate Education Committee and Senate floor by only one vote.
Proponents say the Ten Commandments should be posted because it’s a historical document. Opponents say there’s no value in the document being present in courses where history isn’t a focal point.
The bill’s prime sponsor, Piedmont Sen. John Carley disagrees.
“Why should it be science? Well, kids are taking tests in there, and if they see ‘do not lie’ or ‘do not steal’ certainly that could be a good quality that our founding fathers implemented in our code that we’ve even written into South Dakota codified law here, where there’s penalties for both lying and stealing. So, I think it could be a good educational moment to see what our founding fathers did,” Carley said.
Some opponents say the word “adultery” should not be posted in younger children’s classrooms. Carley said many are watching pornography at extremely young ages, so they are already aware of the ideas. He said students could stand to benefit from the teaching of adultery.
“We have a huge divorce rate across across America, and we know that affects children. Wouldn’t it be amazing if children growing up later in life have this concept of adultery [as it] ‘has harmed my family’ and the harm they’ve seen, and to think ‘That’s something our founding fathers originally intended to warn against,” Carley said.
Carley said parents can choose for their child to opt out of such lessons when they happen.
Lana Greenfield is the chair of the committee. She voted no and called the burden placed on teachers “frustrating.”
“When the children have no coats, and no socks, no mittens, I know teachers personally pay for them," Greenfield said. "Because I have been a part of that. Now when the students are not properly taught by their parents or whoever their guardians are at home any kind of religious instruction, now the schools have to take over. I mean, where does it end?”
The bill next heads to the floor of the House of Representatives.
