Bill would force Nebraska schools to post Ten Commandments

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A bill in front of the Nebraska Legislature would require public and private schools to hang posters of the Ten Commandments.

Dozens of people testified in front of the Education Committee on Monday afternoon over Legislative Bill 691.

“The goal of this bill is not to force any specific religion on our students,” said Sen. Dave Murman, who introduced the bill, “but instead, to expose our students to the very historical wisdom that inspired our founders, like President Washington.”

Nebraska would not be the first state to implement this kind of law.

Louisiana passed a similar bill last year, but it was blocked after a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional.

Murman’s proposal would require posters of a specific version of the Ten Commandments that is commonly taught in protestant churches.

Every elementary, middle and high school would have to display the poster, including private and parochial schools that receive state funding.

But some people in attendance at the hearing on Monday believe it will only do harm, especially in public schools.

“I don’t think anyone needs to be made to feel uncomfortable or marginalized because of their faith in this country,” said the Rev. Chris Jorgensen of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Omaha. “And there’s one simple way to do that, which is to uphold the constitutional requirement of separation of church and state.”

Supporters said this is not intended to push religion on anyone.

“Every student is entitled to their own religion and beliefs,” Deb Carlstrom said. “This bill simply recognizes the long-standing role that the Ten Commandments have played in our country’s history and a standard of morality that is necessary to govern a free society.”

People weighed in on our Now Local News App as well, including Neveen.

“The government can’t tell them to promote a certain religion because that excludes children from different religions,” she said. “Public schools are supposed to be open for kids of all races, of all religions, of all ethnicities.”