The Louisiana law mandating putting up the Ten Commandments in classrooms is obviously a grievous violation of the First Amendment and will be quickly stricken if put to a reasonable judge. But so long as the law is in force, here is an option for teachers: put it in the context of other such codes of moral conduct. Each of these can be printed on a page and lined up on a wall. Here is my recommendation:
The Five Virtues (c. 500 BCE, Confucianism)
1. Ren (仁) - Practice Humaneness
Show compassion and empathy towards others in all interactions.
Act with kindness and seek to understand and alleviate the suffering of others.
2. Yi (义) - Uphold Righteousness
Commit to doing what is morally right and just.
Ensure fairness and ethical behavior in all decisions and actions.
3. Li (礼) - Follow Proper Conduct
Adhere to social norms, rituals, and manners to maintain harmony.
Demonstrate respect and courtesy in interactions with others.
4. Zhi (智) - Pursue Wisdom
Seek knowledge and understanding to make informed and fair judgments.
Cultivate a love of learning and apply wisdom in daily life.
5. Xin (信) - Maintain Integrity
Be honest and trustworthy in all dealings.
Keep promises and uphold the trust others place in you.
The Ten Commandments (c. 1440-1400 BCE, Judaism)
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.
The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path (c. 500 BCE, Buddhism)
Four Noble Truths:
1. Life is suffering (Dukkha).
2. The cause of suffering is craving (Tanha).
3. The end of suffering is attainable.
4. The path to the end of suffering is the Eightfold Path.
Eightfold Path:
Right Understanding
Recognize the Four Noble Truths and understand the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.
Right Intent
Cultivate thoughts of renunciation, good will, and harmlessness.
Right Speech
Avoid lying, gossiping, harsh words, and idle chatter. Speak truthfully and kindly.
Right Action
Refrain from harming living beings and stealing. Act ethically and compassionately.
Right Livelihood
Engage in work that does not harm others and is ethically positive.
Right Effort
Make a persistent effort to abandon negative states and cultivate positive ones.
Right Mindfulness
Maintain awareness of body, feelings, mind, and mental phenomena to foster clarity and insight.
Right Concentration
Practice meditation to develop deep mental focus and achieve states of calm and clarity.
The Yamas and Niyamas (c. 400 BCE, Hinduism)
Yamas (Ethical Restraints)
1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Practice non-violence in thoughts, words, and actions.
2. Satya (Truthfulness): Be truthful in all aspects of life.
3. Asteya (Non-stealing): Refrain from stealing and coveting.
4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy or Moderation): Practice self-control and moderation in all things.
5. Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness): Avoid greed and the accumulation of unnecessary possessions.
Niyamas (Positive Observances)
1. Saucha (Purity): Maintain cleanliness of body and mind.
2. Santosha (Contentment): Cultivate contentment and satisfaction.
3. Tapas (Discipline): Practice self-discipline and austerity.
4. Svadhyaya (Self-study): Engage in the study of sacred scriptures and self-reflection.
5. Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to a Higher Power): Surrender to the divine or higher consciousness.
The Quran’s Ethical Guidelines (c. 610-632 CE, Islam)
1. Worship Allah alone.
2. Be kind to parents.
3. Give to relatives, orphans, and the poor.
4. Speak the truth.
5. Keep promises.
6. Pray regularly.
7. Pay the zakat (charity).
8. Fast during Ramadan.
9. Avoid theft and dishonesty.
10. Treat others as you wish to be treated.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948, United Nations)
Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Article 2: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms without discrimination.
Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.
Article 4: No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.
Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6: Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7: All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.
Article 8: Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted by the constitution or by law.
Article 9: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile.
Article 10: Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.
Article 11: Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Article 12: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home, or correspondence.
Humanist Manifesto (1933, updated in 1973 and 2003)
1. Humans are an integral part of nature, resulting from unguided evolutionary change.
2. Ethical values are derived from human need and interest.
3. Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals.
4. Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships.
5. Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness.
6. Secularism is essential for democratic governance.
7. Humanists advocate for peaceful resolution of conflicts.
8. Education is essential for developing rational individuals.
9. Human rights must be universally protected.
10. Freedom of thought and expression are vital.
The Seven Principles (1985, Unitarian Universalism)
1. Recognize the Worth and Dignity of Every Person:
Treat all individuals with respect and value their inherent worth.
2. Promote Justice, Equity, and Compassion:
Act with fairness, kindness, and empathy in all human relationships.
3. Accept One Another and Encourage Spiritual Growth:
Foster an inclusive community and support each other’s spiritual journeys.
4. Engage in a Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning:
Pursue knowledge and understanding with an open and responsible approach.
5. Support the Right of Conscience and Use of Democratic Processes:
Uphold the right to individual beliefs and participate in democratic decision-making.
6. Work Towards World Community with Peace, Liberty, and Justice for All:
Strive for a global society characterized by harmony, freedom, and fairness.
7. Respect the Interdependent Web of All Existence:
Care for the environment and recognize our interconnectedness with all life.
[EDIT] The law demands a propagandistic statement for “context” to also be displayed, so each of these could also include a context statement of your choosing.