The separation between religion and education has always been a controversial river to cross. The Cumberland County Board of Education had to cross it Thursday night. The BOE recently received a letter from the organization Freedom From Religion stating that they had complaints of the 10 Commandments being placed in some schools, usually with Freedom Shrine displays. The discussion began early in the meeting with community comments where a spokesperson stated that the Commandments are “facts about history” and they are the basis and the “fundamental laws of the land.” Board Attorney Earl Patton took the podium and said that he had told the board back in 2013, to expect possible “repercussions” when the board approved the placement of the Commandments in schools.  Motions were made to de-authorize the placement of the Commandments and to leave the Commandments up. Both motions failed. When a motion was made to take the Commandments down, the motion became tied at 4-4 with one abstention. The board then decided to leave the 10 Commandment issue as it is, with the Commandments staying in the schools.