Texas to Require Display of the Ten Commandments in Classrooms
Austin, Texas — In a move aimed at reinforcing moral values in education, Texas will soon mandate that all public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments. This legislation makes Texas the largest state to adopt such a requirement.
Governor Greg Abbott announced his signature on the bill, which officials predict will face legal challenges from those who argue it violates the principle of separation of church and state. Critics fear that imposing religious texts in schools constitutes an infringement on constitutional rights.
A similar law in Louisiana faced setbacks after being declared unconstitutional by a federal appeals court. In Arkansas, another version of this law has also been challenged in court.
The recent Texas law passed smoothly through the Republican-controlled legislature, receiving overwhelming support in both the House and Senate. Candy Noble, a Republican state representative and co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized the importance of recognizing historically and educationally significant principles in the nation.
In addition to the Ten Commandments legislation, Abbott also signed a bill that allows school districts to offer students and staff a voluntary time for prayer or reading religious texts during school hours. These efforts reflect a broader trend in conservative-led states to integrate religious elements into public education.
The new law stipulates that classrooms must feature a 16-by-20-inch poster of a specific English version of the Ten Commandments. Supporters argue that these commandments are foundational to America’s judicial and educational systems and deserve prominent display in schools.
Opponents, including various faith leaders, express concern that such measures undermine the religious freedoms of others. Critics point out that Texas is home to nearly 6 million students from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, many of whom may not connect to the Ten Commandments.
In a notable past case, Abbott, while serving as attorney general, successfully argued for the retention of a Ten Commandments monument at the state Capitol before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Louisiana’s similar law has been struck down twice by federal courts, with Texas Attorney General Liz Murrell stating intentions to pursue an appeal as far as the U.S. Supreme Court if needed.
