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Bill on “ten Commandments” in Public School Provokes Opposition

February 18, 1958
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A legislative battle appears imminent in the New York State Legislature here over an attempt to pass a bill providing for the introduction of a “non-denomination” Ten Commandments in the wake of the Education Commissioner’s ruling that such a version introduced in the suburban New Hyde Park school system was “divisive and improper” and ordered the decalogue removed from the schools as causing conflict and controversy.

Among the opponents of the new bill are the American Jewish Congress, Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, the Civil Liberties Union and other civic and educational groups. Thus far Commissioner of Education James Allen has refused comment on the bill, but a spokesman for his office pointed out that state law allows released time for the religious education of students who wish it.

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