Gov. Mike Braun and Attorney General Todd Rokita have filed a motion to lift a ban on the placement of a monument containing the Ten Commandments on the lawn of the Indiana Statehouse.
Additionally, Indiana House Bill 1086, which would require Indiana public schools to post the Ten Commandments in each classroom and library, has been introduced by Reps. Michelle Davis, J.D. Prescott, Hunter Smith and Jake Teshka.
As someone who for years has had a framed copy of the Ten Commandments and the Bill of Rights displayed on the walls in my home, I will never understand why someone would want our government to promote a particular religion. It seems intuitive to me that religious beliefs should be an individual's personal decision, not something pushed upon us by the government.
I do not want the government to dictate my religious beliefs or even to promote a particular religion, and I believe the First Amendment is quite clear.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Our nation's Founding Fathers understood the importance of religious freedom.
To quote Thomas Jefferson: "For the use of … reason … everyone is responsible to the God who has planted it in his breast, as a light for his guidance, and that, by which alone he will be judged."
Not only did Jefferson strongly believe in religious freedom, but also in the separation of church and state.
Religious freedom and the separation of church and state do not prevent the citizenry or our political leaders from following the ethical teachings of many religions.
Years ago, as a student at Valparaiso University, I had the opportunity to enroll in a course on the history of religions. In studying various religions, I was both surprised and pleased to learn that many believe in and advance the same values.
Additionally, research conducted over the years shows that those values are important to leading a productive, meaningful life, as well as to strengthening society and the economy.
For example, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism all teach integrity, truth, equality, respect and justice.
These are very honorable qualities, and they lead us down a better path.
Research shows that political leaders who work in a bipartisan way and show respect for those with whom they disagree are more productive and accomplish more than those who are partisan and less respectful.
In the corporate world, companies whose leaders show respect for colleagues and subordinates outperform those companies whose leaders blame others when things go wrong and who do not share the credit when things go right.
Additionally, decisions and strategies based on facts are better than those based on untruths.
These research findings tell us we will be stronger as a nation if our political leaders have integrity, if they are honorable, and if they are respectful of others. It is also appropriate to include these research findings in public education.
In other words, we can teach the value of integrity, truth, equality, respect and justice without violating the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Political leaders should dedicate themselves to these values, rather than advance policies that force others to adopt their religious beliefs. Doing so will make us stronger and better.
Jill Long Thompson has served as a member of Congress, USDA undersecretary for rural development, and board chair and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration.long thompson