Texas House Approves Bill Mandating Display of Ten Commandments in Public Schools
The Texas House of Representatives approved a bill mandating the display of the “Ten Commandments” in all classrooms of public schools.
The Texas House of Representatives passed legislation requiring the display of the “Ten Commandments” in all classrooms of Texas public schools with 82 votes in favor and 46 votes against in the state house, and sent it to the state senate for final approval.
The Texas House of Representatives simultaneously passed another bill that would allow schools, with parental consent, to hold sessions for prayer and Bible study; however, critics evaluated this plan as a deliberate attempt to include Christian symbols and rituals in public education.
While the approval of this plan has faced widespread criticism for violating religious freedom, if approved by the senate and signed by Governor “Greg Abbott,” the law will be implemented in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill states: “All elementary and secondary schools in Texas shall be required to prominently display a framed and durable plaque containing the text of the Ten Commandments with dimensions of at least 16 by 20 inches (41 by 51 centimeters) in classrooms.”
In addition to this bill, an amendment was also passed stipulating that the state government will assume responsibility for legal defense of this law against any complaints. Schools may also accept donated plaques or pay for them from their own budgets.
“Dan Patrick,” the Lieutenant Governor and a supporter of this plan, said about it: “By displaying the Ten Commandments in schools, we ensure that students will have the same moral standards as previous generations, which also helps remind us of the country’s Judeo-Christian heritage.”
The approval of this plan, however, has opponents. Some Christian legislators and religious freedom activists, while opposing the plan, emphasized that this law could lead to exclusion of students of other religions and could create constitutional issues.
“James Talarico,” a Democratic Christian representative, also referring to similar plans in “Louisiana” and “Arkansas,” said about this plan: “Imposing our religion on others is not a sign of love.” The U.S. Supreme Court in 1980 found the display of the Ten Commandments in school classrooms to be unconstitutional, but the current court with its conservative composition may lead to a different outcome.
