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Debate Info

53
180
Yes No
Debate Score:233
Arguments:68
Total Votes:302
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Argument Ratio

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 Yes (31)
 
 No (37)

Debate Creator

Billie(790) pic



Should the Ten Commandments be displayed in schools?

Yes

Side Score: 53
VS.

No

Side Score: 180
3 points

Eh! I'm pretty apathetic about it... I'm agnostic but they're good rules to live by so I don't see the harm.

Side: yes
2 points

There are many schools in which the ten commandments were already displayed. In those instances I would say it's a historical item, since they are all very old, and it should not be removed for that reason. The ten commandments in schools and other elements of Christian symbolism are a part of US history, and erasing it serves no purpose but to diminish our past. As far as installing new ones in new schools, I would say it probably shouldn't be done because it costs money that the government is already spending too much of as it is, but I see no reason for a law against it if someone wants to donate.

Side: yes
casper3912(1581) Disputed
3 points

What about the separation of church and state?

Is that not a good enough reason to make a law against it?

Side: No
Republican2(349) Disputed
3 points

The first amendment says that the government cannot create a state religion. It also says that the government cannot regulate what people believe or don't believe and how they practice said belief. It does not say however, that the government cannot make references to god in public settings. There were displays of the 10 commandments on government property when the founders were alive, and they never spoke out against it. If they didn't condone any religious reference whatsoever, it stands to reason that they would have said something against it. Furthermore, there were often references to god in public speeches and even prayer in public schools put on by the very people who wrote and approved the first ammendment.

Side: yes
3 points

Right on! If only people had the common knowledge to understand that. There will always be stubborn people, and don't forget, idealists who think impractically. That's the whole point of the first amendment is to promote freedom of religion, speech, etc. It would merely be unconstitutional.

Side: No
3 points

There are many schools in which the ten commandments were already displayed.

And, prior to its illegality, there were many schools which administered corporal punishment. Prevalence does not posit acceptability or suitability.

In those instances I would say it's a historical item, since they are all very old, and it should not be removed for that reason.

To attach sentimentality to what is old is a common, and in many cases benign, aspect of human nature. That, however, is no reason by which to contrive the permanency of any such feature when its use is long past, or its existence does more harm than good. So much for the ten commandments, which present a biased moral view, and present no authority beyond that of a deity to which it is nobody's duty to subscribe.

The ten commandments in schools and other elements of Christian symbolism are a part of US history

Slavery was once a part of the history of the United States, as it was of England. Neither state now suffers the practice, and its former prevalence is no legitimate objection to that fact.

and erasing it serves no purpose but to diminish our past.

The redundant past belongs in museums, sir.

As far as installing new ones in new schools, I would say it probably shouldn't be done because it costs money that the government is already spending too much of as it is

I am confident that the Federal Government yet possesses the resources to effect such measures.

but I see no reason for a law against it if someone wants to donate.

Would you object, given the ineffectiveness of your historical argument, to such a benefactor wishing to donate the teachings of the Koran?

Side: No
Republican2(349) Disputed
2 points

Slavery was once a part of the history of the United States, as it was of England. Neither state now suffers the practice, and its former prevalence is no legitimate objection to that fact.

Christianity at least has been viewed as a positive element in society by most people.

I am confident that the Federal Government yet possesses the resources to effect such measures.

It does, but they shouldn't be used for such things. It's been operating in the negatives for far too long.

Would you object, given the ineffectiveness of your historical argument, to such a benefactor wishing to donate the teachings of the Koran?

No, I believe it is their right to do so. And if the school wishes to display it, it should be displayed. The display of any religious teaching does not necessitate the adherence to it.

Side: yes
2 points

If my kids can freely get porngraphic material, weapons, opionionated and deceptive teachers and pupils and textbooks not just in schools but brough into their homes and places they spend their time growing up then i say yes mix religion and growing up they need guidance wherever possible. It might be too late for war on aids with contraceptive/std propaganda but we might still be able to save their souls!

There are many Atheists if not all who want the world to themselves free from all religious dogma and they must beware because one day they might get what they want peace without religion.I hope my children are not in that world, even with all the fundametalists and their flaws and attrocities there is still hope for the broken the lost and the dead!

Take away the first couple of commandments relating to religion and rename it "Our code of coduct" and see how strongly it is followed without the personal conviction of a personal saviour. Take God out of the world and you are just left with the world, How many people didnt get a chance to be healed because the jews were removing Jesus's religious dogma?

Side: yes
3 points

If my kids can freely get porngraphic material

An interest in pornography is healthy, natural, and far less likely to warp the mind than years of sexual repression.

weapons

What is the concernancy of this?

opionionated and deceptive teachers

Just as they can get opinionated and deceptive parents?

and pupils

The converse is also true.

and textbooks

This strikes me as a thinly veiled assault on evolutionary theory in biology textbooks.

then i say yes mix religion and growing up they need guidance wherever possible.

Does this guidance include the religious cultivation of facial hair and aversion to all forms of shellfish, as well as adherence to a notional God? That's not guidance, madam, it is delusion.

There are many Atheists if not all who want the world to themselves free from all religious dogma

Atheistic mentality is that the state and its institutions should be free of religion. What you choose to believe is your own concern, but this being a debating site, I ask that you do not be surprised when we argue against it.

and they must beware because one day they might get what they want peace without religion.

Peace without religion sounds quite appealing.

I hope my children are not in that world

You would prefer them to be in a violent, religious one?

Take away the first couple of commandments relating to religion and rename it "Our code of coduct"

Disguising religion as law in state schools incontrovertibly violates the first amendment.

Take God out of the world and you are just left with the world

What is wrong with that?

How many people didnt get a chance to be healed because the jews were removing Jesus's religious dogma?

That's a peculiar blend of quasi-antisemitism and fanciful delusion.

Side: No
psyfire(7) Disputed
1 point

>An interest in pornography is healthy, natural, and far less likely to warp the mind than years of sexual repression.

Many argue pornography as neutral not causing damage but you go for "healthy""natural" - that would make a intresting debate! Pornography is the steam from water on fire, and fuel comes from many sources. Just because child molestation and rape cannot always be directly linked to pornography its still part of the same process.

>What is the concernancy of this?

Out of context none!

>Just as they can get opinionated and deceptive parents?

True.So why stop at state and institution?

>This strikes me as a thinly veiled assault on evolutionary theory in biology textbooks.

You got me - good thing its a matter of personal opinion and im not debating for its removal from schools.

>Does this guidance include the religious cultivation of facial hair and aversion to all forms of shellfish, as well as adherence to >a notional God? That's not guidance, madam, it is delusion.

no the delusion is that im a madam. Yes it does if it guides our youth towards a moral society, i dont see the concernancy of your statement unless all religion and its fruits are destructive as a whole.

>Atheistic mentality is that the state and its institutions should be free of religion. What you choose to believe is your own concern, but this being a debating site, I ask that you do not be surprised when we argue against it.

Not suprised at all infact i welcome it, Christian mentality is that the world should not be free of religion not only my concern but that of many, many of whom have children in schools.

>You would prefer them to be in a violent, religious one?

No but i dont believe no religion = no violence , I dont expect peace and safety and freedom for my children when religion is removed.

>Disguising religion as law in state schools incontrovertibly violates the first amendment.

my point was that without the commandments referring to god the ten commandment would be useless as their source would be denied and would make the commandment just another code of conduct. Law from whom i never implied that we should disguise religion as law.

>What is wrong with that?

a matter or perspective

>That's a peculiar blend of quasi-antisemitism and fanciful delusion.

No anti-semitism intended - my point is that removing something that is not fully understood does guarantee something good.

Side: yes
Bohemian(3860) Disputed
2 points

If my kids can freely get porngraphic material, weapons, opionionated and deceptive teachers and pupils and textbooks not just in schools but brough into their homes and places they spend their time growing up then i say yes mix religion and growing up they need guidance wherever possible

...therefore we should post Koranic verses in schools!

Side: No
2 points

If they do not incite violence and promote virtue to its adherents then yes we should post koranic verses in schools. I am not debating for the oppression of non believers but for the availability of religious material in our society where they could change the course of a otherwise destructive path.

Side: No
2 points

i think they should because kids need to learn these things

Side: yes
1 point

yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Side: yes
1 point

I think its an ok idea for Catholic schools. You have to consider the children who are a diffrent religion than the catholic faith.

If you do go to a catholic school, then sure. Since it is Catholic school, thats kind of their job to teach about that kind of stuff.

Side: yes
0 points

yes because GOD is a BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSST

Side: yes
1 point

hay it is kenneth ...........waz up..........................................................................

Side: yes
Bohemian(3860) Disputed
10 points

If the killers at Columbine or any other school had seen "thou shall not murder" every day, there is no question it would have stopped them from gunning down their classmates.

This is wishful thinking at best. At worst it is hopelessly naive.

Obviously, these youngsters have no idea that stealing is wrong.

Obviously they do know it's wrong, or they wouldn't try to hide the fact that their doing it. They know it's wrong, but they do it anyway. As kids often do.

The meaning here is unmistakable. You had better believe in and worship the Judeo-Christian God, and only Him. We must put down everyone who rejects our God, whether atheist or pagan, by having this posted.

Not with my tax dollars you aren't. This is clearly an establishment of religion, and a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

you shall not consent to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him or conceal him; but you shall surely kill him

Okay, at this point you must be making a parody. No civilized person would believe this.

Side: No
casper3912(1581) Disputed
9 points

From skimming though the first few paragraphs your statements comes across as incredibly naive, unsupported and idealistic, and its clear that in your argument you don't support the separation of church and state.

Religion, especially the christian religion has its faults and has caused atrocities, for example the kk, wbbc, etc. Simply claiming that it is the solution to all problems, especially an authoritarian implementation of it, is incredibly counter to basic American principles, the rights of man and empirical evidence.

If the American government ever became a theocracy, you'll find a similar situation in America as in France a couple hundred years ago; the gutters will run with blood and rightfully so :)

Side: No
2 points

Sir, you have not in the past struck me as having a plentiful lack of wit, so I am compelled to ask whether the argument before me is a parody?

The lack of God's word in everyday life is clearly the reason for immorality so common among today's youth.

Immorality form a religious perspective will always be seen as a consequence of failure to adhere to religious teachings.

Thus such a comment cannot be supported without reference to a religion, which does not stand in an argument which seeks to promote that particular religion.

Side: No
-1 points

Whoever down-votes Silas's post without disputing is wasting points because each time you do this I vote it up and I don't give a flying fuck about my points so you may as well leave it the buck alone, savvy? Oh - someone just did it again - and I voted it up! ;)

Side: yes
casper3912(1581) Disputed
9 points

His post is rightfully downvoted, do you have any evidence to the contrary? Why is it a good argument?

It is unlikely he will respond to the disputes.

Your and his babble on such a thing only serves to artificially pump up the votes on your sides and each comment on it isn't a comment on the debate topic, nor even an argument and thus should be downvoted into obscurity.

Side: No

Lol I put the bullet sign but it changed it to the word bullet. I love talking about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Side: yes
14 points

Despite the fact that I think that people shouldn't lie, steal, murder or cheat on their wife, the first 3 or 4 commandments are of uniquely religious (Abrahamic) significance. To display the 10 commandments is an endorsement of certain religious doctrine, by the government (because schools are paid for by public tax dollars). I don't want my tax dollars to endorse particular religious views. this would be a violation of the Establishment clause of the constitution.

Side: No
12 points

They have separation of church and state for a reason. It would be best not to spark a religious feud.

Side: No
11 points

" It would be best not to spark a religious feud."

Good thinking. Most religious don't consider the repercussions of attempting to force their beliefs on others.

Side: No
8 points

The only place they belong is in churches.

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Side: No
6 points

I'm all for freedom of religion but trust me, it wouldn't be the smartest idea.

Side: No
11 points

"I'm all for freedom of religion"

I applaud you, sir!

"but trust me, it wouldn't be the smartest idea."

Thinking ahead. Nice.

Side: No
Billie(790) Disputed
0 points

I'm all for freedom of religion but trust me, it wouldn't be the smartest idea

How so? The Ten Commandments promotes moral living filled with peace and love?

Side: yes
TheAnarchy(41) Disputed
7 points

"The Ten Commandments promotes moral living filled with peace and love?"

Only 6/10 do. The rest are about worshiping the christian god. Regardless, they're thought of as a christian concept. It would be best to steer clear of the inevitable fight that would ensue.

Side: No
4 points

Why? Students don't follow the other rules that are posted at school. If anything it will make them want to disobey them more. Plus that's part of a religion, though good rules, I don't think anything religious like that should be put up by the school.

Side: No
2 points

Church and state need to be separate. .

Side: No
1 point

First off, not everyone shares the same religion. Not everyone even follows all of the ten commandments. If you want the ten commandments in school, then go to a private school. The whole point of the first amendment, is to promote freedom of religion and speech, etc. By adding the ten commandments to ALL schools, that would be merely unconstitutional. Even if they do promote peace and love. This is where thinking practically, realistic and reasonable comes in hand. Unlike, thinking in the clouds like an idealist.

Side: No
1 point

No, the Ten Commandments should be displayed in churches, not schools. Church and state should be kept seperate.

Side: No
1 point

If were gonna put the ten commandments, we also have to post the messages of other religions as well in order to be fair, even on religions that we don't agree with. This in turn will cause tons of religion vs religion bashing which won't be helpful at all.

Side: No
0 points

Religions biggest crime is that It takes away choice and for that reason it takes away the ability of learning as we all know that we learn More from experiences than anything so because you cant do much because you have no choices which leads to no major learning experiences. This is why anything to do with religion should not be displayed in schools

Side: No