Bill passed to require display of the Ten Commandments in Texas public schools
The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms.
The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all Texas public school classrooms by a vote of 82 to 46 in the state House of Representatives and sent it to the state Senate for final approval.
The Texas House of Representatives also passed another bill at the same time that would allow schools to hold a period of prayer and Bible study with parental consent; but critics viewed the plan as a deliberate attempt to incorporate Christian symbols and rituals into public education.
While the bill has been widely criticized as violating religious freedom, if passed by the Senate and signed by Governor Greg Abbott, the law would take effect in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill states: “All Texas elementary and secondary schools shall be required to prominently display a framed, durable sign containing the text of the Ten Commandments, at least 16 by 20 inches (41 by 51 centimeters) in the classroom.”
The bill also included an amendment that would make the state government responsible for defending the law against any lawsuits. Schools could also accept donated signs or pay for them from their own funds.
"By installing the Ten Commandments in schools, we ensure that students will have the same moral standards as previous generations, which also helps to remember the Judeo-Christian heritage of the country," said Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who is a supporter of the project.
The bill's passage, however, has its opponents. Some Christian lawmakers and religious freedom activists opposed the bill, stressing that the law could lead to the exclusion of students of other religions and pose constitutional problems.
Democratic and Christian Representative James Tallarico also said about the plan, while referring to similar plans in Louisiana and Arkansas, "Imposing our religion on others is not a sign of love." The US Supreme Court also found the posting of the Ten Commandments in school classrooms unconstitutional in 1980, but the current court, with its conservative composition, may lead to a different result.
