On the Ten Commandments. Again.

God as revealed in Scripture seems more concerned that we immerse ourselves into learning and LIVING holy commandments rather than framing them as another showpiece that collects dust.

South Carolina has launched its 2026 legislative session. We are not getting news about ideas or proposals for improving public education, fixing roads, child poverty, advancement opportunities, crime, or infant mortality. By the way, we rank in the bottom 10 in the nation in all of these categories, depending on the metrics.

Our state “leaders” picked a doozy of a key issue: The Ten Commandments. And making sure they are posted in schools.

Someone posted a social media poll asking if residents of my home state supported this posting requirement for all schools. I replied, “No. And I am a pastor.” (okay, former pastor actually, but still). A friend and former church member from years ago asked the question, “Why are you opposed to this?” Here is my response.

It is religiously-motivated. Despite denials, quotes from Rep. Robby Robbins of Dorchester reveal the reality. “Those commandments were codified in the Bible, which is the holy word of God, and there is nothing wrong with educating children…on the Ten Commandments,” Robbins said.

He is correct. But educating them in a public school where students are present who do not hold this view of the Bible or God is, in fact, indoctrinating rather than educating.

Not all students in this state are Christian. Not all believe the Bible to be “holy” or the “Word of God.” Posting something on a wall is not educating. The only way to make this educational is to teach these. Reading the first three commandments tells us that this cannot be done outside of a Christian sectarian perspective.

It is Performative. Posting these in every school or classroom is an exercise in authority, an effort to say we are doing this because we can. Our people are in charge and the proof is on the wall. Posting the 10 Commandments is much less important than working to follow them.

Many will celebrate its passage (and I feel sure it will pass), pat themselves on the back, and post all over social media about the signing ceremony that Gov. Henry McMaster will certainly host in front of a slew of cameras. Many will cheer this law because we can feel like we did something without having to actually do anything. But making a show of Scripture and the Commandments does not honor the gracious sacrifice of Jesus.

It is short-sighted. Interestingly, the 10 Commandments are the “weapon” of choice for these political performances.

If we insist on posting and taking action on what we believe to be God’s commands, may I suggest that we look at much more instructive passages? We could try the Beatitudes, or any number of passages from Matthew 5-7. Or Matthew 22:15-22.

God as revealed in Scripture seems more concerned that we immerse ourselves into learning and LIVING holy commandments rather than framing them as another showpiece that collects dust, on the wall and in our hearts.

Is our hope to truly change or influence the hearts of people, when we establish this list into law? Or is it simply to prove who is in charge and who is in control?

It defies the Constitution. Certainly, many will debate the purpose, meaning, or intent of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Considering the words of Rep. Robbins, it is difficult to argue that this action does not establish or favor one particular religion. A study of history might reveal that the cause of Jesus Christ is rarely advanced through political powers trying to advance the establishment of Christianity.

It is pointless. Many Christians support this because we are more concerned with appearances than action. Aside from proving the ability of Christian Nationalists to put a meaningless feather in their cap, posting a Bible list in a classroom likely does nothing. Much like flyers and posters on every bulletin board or wall in every school or classroom in America, the odds that someone reads, follows, or remembers is minimal. This is not about changing or improving the lives of students. This is about a group of people proving that they can push their ideals on others.

Here’s the thing: Our political leaders are more concerned about what books we have in libraries than they are about the fact that most students cannot read an entire book. Teachers are struggling to make a living. We are ignoring the teacher shortage/teacher turnover problem. The legislature makes the news by raising teacher pay, but they do not fund those pay increases.

Yet, we spend our energy on a performative display of putting a Bible poster on the wall. This not only ignores the real problems in schools in favor of making headlines. It deflates the Commandments from something we follow to just another flyer.

Rather than passing laws that endorse performative Christianity, our legislators (and Christians) could get busy about the business of living the commandments. Embedding the heart and spirit of God’s instruction into our lives is much more urgent than passing a school poster law. Deuteronomy 6 would like a word:

The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all YOUR heart and with all YOUR soul and with all YOUR might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem[b] on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of YOUR house and on YOUR gates.

Then again, we would also do well to remember that Jesus narrowed the list down a bit:

‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22)

Imagine what could happen if we stopped pretending to care about the Ten and focused our energy on living the Two.