Marlene Kouba, Regent

HB 1145 is now in the Legislature and relates to the posting of the Ten Commandments in schools in North Dakota. I support that bill and encourage it be passed.

When I first started teaching school, a copy of them was posted in each rural school and public schoolrooms. I never taught them as they were not in the curriculum but they were there for anybody to see. I still have a copy if anyone is interested.

Some say it is against the law but what law? The First Amendment to the Constitution says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” It was one of ten ratified on December 15, 1791.

Posting the Ten Commandments does not establish any religion but is a simple guideline for human behavior. Those basic few lines are now covered by millions of laws throughout the nation.

I think they should be posted in every public building. Maybe it would be a deterrent to some crimes if children see them often enough. It sure wouldn’t hurt to try.