A bill that allows Tennessee's public schools to display the Ten Commandments passed the House of Representatives on Thursday after a spirited debate.
Smithville Republican Michael Hale's bill also allows for the display of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee and the Bill of Rights. The bill does not require local school districts to display the documents but gives them "legal protection if they chose to do so," Hale said.
Democrats pushed back on adding the Ten Commandments. Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, said he was a Christian but objected to having just one religion in the schools.
