AZ House committee passes bill allowing Ten Commandments in classrooms

By Greg Hahne
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - 2:22pm
Updated: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - 2:24pm

Anthony Kern
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
Anthony Kern in January 2024.

A state House Committee has approved a bill that would allow  the Ten Commandments to be posted in every classroom.

Republican Sen. Anthony Kern told the House Education Committee the bill is modeled on similar legislation in Texas that never became law.

Kern claimed the way the United States government is run is based on Biblical texts out of the Old Testament. However, he was unable to list specifics. 

"I can’t think off the top of my head of any document that has the Ten Commandments in there, but our way of life and our system of government, and the reason America is America is because of the Ten Commandments," Kern said. 

Opponents say there is no explicit way for parents to opt out their kids if it goes against their beliefs. The bill needs another committee hearing before going to the House floor. 

Politics Education