Louisiana and Oklahoma both recently mandated that the Ten Commandments of biblical faith be posted in all public schools within those states. I cannot help but wonder: Is this what Jesus would want?
The Ten Commandments do indeed provide an excellent guide of values and principles for how we should live our lives for a moral, positive and productive world. Yet, I am concerned that government mandates to post the Ten Commandments in our public schools unnecessarily politicizes faith and distracts us from the real message of Jesus, all while compromising constitutional integrity. These recent mandates, I argue, are counterproductive to both Christian values and the U.S. Constitution.
The essence of Christianity is the voluntary acceptance of God and Jesus Christ. Forcing the Ten Commandments into public school curricula transforms a deeply personal faith into a political tool. This coercion contradicts fundamental Christian principles that faith is a personal, voluntary act of belief and commitment. Mandating religious teachings in public schools undermines the sincerity and authenticity of faith, which should be a matter of personal conviction, not political decree.
Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 instructs Christians to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded. However, this mission should be rooted in voluntary evangelism and discipleship, not coercion.
Furthermore, Jesus’ teaching to “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21) highlights the distinction between civic duties and religious devotion. Mandating religious teachings in public institutions blurs this line, potentially leading to state religion, which is contrary to both Jesus’ teachings and constitutional principles.
By supporting political mandates for religious teachings, Christians are very comfortable doing church as usual. But supporting the government mandate abdicates our personal responsibility to promote and live by the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule.
Evangelism and discipleship are core responsibilities for Christians, as instructed by Jesus in Matthew 28:20. Relying on politicians to enforce these values shifts responsibility from individuals and church to the state, undermining the active and personal nature of Christian witness and discipleship.
Many authors of the U.S. Constitution expressed religious beliefs. But nowhere in the Constitution is there mention of a specific religion. It is highly significant that the very First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits any government action that establishes a particular religion.
Mandating teaching the Ten Commandments in isolation in public schools is a clear violation of this principle, as it imposes a specific religious doctrine on all students, regardless of their personal beliefs. This not only infringes on religious freedom but also undermines the pluralistic foundation of American society.
God’s Simple Plan, our project under ICARE Citizenship, totally opposes the government mandating religious indoctrination. We also totally support voluntary engagement by followers of Jesus Christ with schools (and all other areas of society).
A Voluntary Extracurricular Activity
The government cannot constitutionally mandate religious instruction. It likewise cannot prohibit free expression of religion except when it infringes on others. Religious extracurricular activities, under the same guidelines and restrictions as any other extracurricular club or activity, are one way to properly promote Ten Commandments.
Christian clubs are just as valid as art, dance, photo, mock trial, culture or other clubs. The key is for practicing one’s religious beliefs in an organized way on campus to be voluntary and to the same guidelines, without coercion, special incentives or additional restrictions.
One school district stated the purpose of extracurricular activities as “to offer student direction in developing healthy living habits, discipline, leadership, teamwork, citizenship skills and respect for structure, rules and responsibilities.”
As long as school guidelines are followed evenly across the board, followers of Jesus can be as active as any other extracurricular activity. Christians should not expect the government to do our job. Nor should the government prevent us from doing our job. Do our own job, we must, but we have to do so fairly and in a way that does not undermine the U.S. Constitution. One method is to actively engage with our schools and other social institutions in a voluntary, legally sound manner.
Instead of mandating religious teachings through governmental action, followers of Jesus Christ should embark on a voluntary campaign to promote the Ten Commandments and Golden Rule in every aspect of society, including through their own example.
This approach aligns with both biblical teachings and constitutional principles. It grows genuine faith and moral values, and a more civil and safe society. It is, after all, the Great Commission from Jesus.
Possible campaign goals include mobilizing churches and individuals nationwide to actively live by and promote values of the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule; encouraging inclusion of these principles in schools, governmental bodies, homes and within the church; and organizing community events, educational programs and service projects that embody and reinforce these values.
By focusing on voluntary, grassroots efforts, Christians can contribute to society the genuine principles behind the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule, foster a culture of faith and morality, respect religious freedom of all including non-Christians, and maintain constitutional integrity.
This MFP Voices essay does not necessarily represent the views of the Mississippi Free Press, its staff or board members. To submit an opinion for the MFP Voices section, send up to 1,200 words and sources fact-checking the included information to voices@mississippifreepress.org. We welcome a wide variety of viewpoints.
