Ten Commandments in schools are not about history

I am hoping that Mr. Curt Hancock (Displaying Ten Commandments is about history, not religion, July 30,) is not suggesting that we implement other ideas from 300 year-old American textbooks as historically relevant. For example, how indigenous people, people of color, or women were viewed or treated. If we are going to decide whether religion is appropriate in public schools, perhaps we should look at what the Constitution actually says about it. There are only three references to religion in the Constitution. Article VI bans all “religious tests” for office. The First Amendment bans the establishment of a national religion, and it also protects the rights of individuals to practice their religion. This last right, the free exercise clause, is exactly why one specific religion should be imposed on all individuals in a public school, because that goes against their rights to practice (or not practice) freely as individuals.

It is in the Constitution and it is clear. If Mr. Hancock wants religion taught in the schools, he is absolutely entitled to that opinion. The Constitution actually guarantees him the right to it … but don’t let him fool you. This is not about history. This is absolutely about religion.

Mark Drahozal

Cedar Rapids