COLUMBIA - South Carolina public schools would be required to set up a display featuring the Ten Commandments under a bill approved by a Senate committee.
Schools would also have to display the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution under the bill approved late Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In addition, the proposal would create a "Respect for Law Day" on Sept. 17 in which students would learn about the history, evolution and importance of the rule of law in modern society. Sept. 17 is the anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
"We've taken an important first step toward improving character education in South Carolina schools," said Sen. John Hawkins, R-Spartanburg. "The legislation would reinforce the values of honesty and integrity in public schools."
>The state American Civil Liberties Union said the proposed law is unconstitutional.
Courts in the past have ruled that governments cannot post the Ten Commandments as an endorsement of religion. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Kentucky law that required such postings in classrooms.
But Hawkins, the bill's sponsor, said his proposal would survive a constitutional challenge by portraying the Ten Commandments in a historical perspective.
"They say you can't teach religion, but you can teach about religion," Hawkins said.
"There also is a bill in the House, sponsored by Rep. Marty Coates, R-Florence, that would allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed on state-owned property.
Gov. Jim Hodges has expressed support for bringing the Ten Commandments into public schools. He said the biblical listing of rules of conduct can legally be posted.
The proposal has the backing of religious leaders, too. In November, members of the South Carolina Baptist Convention called on lawmakers to create legislation requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in all government buildings, including schools.