Controversial TN bill would allow display of historical documents in schools

From Local 3 News: A new bill would allow certain historical documents to be displayed in Tennessee schools.

This would include the Ten Commandments, which is stirring up controversy among lawmakers.

The House passed the bill 75 to 17 on its third consideration.

Some lawmakers believe this bill infringes on the separation between the church and state, while others say it's a part of the 1st Amendment.

"Why do we not go back to foundational things?" asked Rep. Michael Hale (R) of District 40.

House Bill 0047 would allow certain historical documents to be displayed in public and charter schools in Tennessee. This would include:

• Declaration of Independence
• U.S. Constitution
• Tennessee Constitution
• Bill of Rights
• Historical school documents
• Ten Commandments

Rep. Hale introduced the bill. "I can honestly say that if we just take those and we just heed to those, we're a much better society," he said.

He argues that most U.S. documents point to the Christian faith, such as phrases like "in God we trust" or "one nation under God."

However, other representatives believes House Bill 47 infringes on the separation between church and state, and that displaying the Ten Commandments would make some students feel excluded.

During the meeting on February 12, some congress members expressed their concerns.
Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D) of District 55 says "there are students who do believe in other religions. Posting something in a classroom that may be disrespectful to them."

Another comment, made by Rep. Harold Love, Jr. (D) of District 58, was that "it may give an indication that their particular faith tradition is not as honored as the faith tradition coming out of the Ten Commandments."

Tennessee is not the first state to allow the Ten Commandments in schools; Texas and Louisiana already passed laws to allow this.
 
Rep. Hale says he used those states as an example in writing House Bill 47. He says he did not want to mandate the documents in Tennessee schools, but instead leave that decision in the hands of the schools.

"I ... did not want to force anybody to do anything," Rep. Hale said.

Each school would choose whether to display any of these documents and could then determine their size and placement.
 
If schools choose to display the documents, they would be able to print them for free, or receive funding to do so. Rep. Hale says some schools districts have already reached out to request a funding partnership.

Now that the bill has passed in the House, it heads to the Senate. It would then need to be signed by Gov. Bill Lee.
 
We reached out to the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee for request for comment, but have not heard back.