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The Alabama Senate is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 166 (SB166) today, March 5, at 1:15 p.m. This proposed legislation mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in all public K-12 schools and public institutions of higher education across the state.
Faith leaders from the Interfaith Alliance of Central Alabama have expressed strong opposition to SB166, citing concerns over religious freedom and the potential for unconstitutional endorsement of a specific religious text. They argue that the bill could infringe upon the diverse religious beliefs of students and their families.
In a letter signed by 34 Alabama faith leaders representing Methodist, Presbyterian, Muslim, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, Episcopalian, Buddhist, and other traditions, they state: “Not only do these unconstitutional bills coerce our public school students into reading a religious text, they also require the use of a specific translation of the Ten Commandments… that are not remotely universal or inclusive of all faith traditions, even among those of us who incorporate or hold sacred the Ten Commandments.”
The letter further emphasizes the potential daily infringement on religious freedom, noting that: “If these bills were to become law, students and families of all faiths and beliefs will have their religious freedom rights infringed on a daily basis.”
The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, of Alabama has also voiced opposition to SB166. They argue that the First Amendment ensures that decisions about religious beliefs are personal and not to be mandated by the government or politicians. The ACLU asserts that: “Displaying the Ten Commandments in public-school classrooms blatantly violates this promise.”
The public hearing will take place in the Finance and Taxation room, where members of the Senate Education Policy Committee will listen to testimonies from both supporters and opponents of the bill. Faith leaders opposing the bill are available for media interviews remotely or at the hearing.
The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for the separation of church and state in Alabama’s public educational institutions.
