Texas bill advances to require Ten Commandments in public school classrooms
In a move that has stirred debate across the state, Texas lawmakers have passed legislation mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.
According to the Christian Post, Senate Bill 10 cleared the Texas House with a majority vote and now heads back to the Senate before going to Governor Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law.
The bill, known as SB 10, was approved in the Texas House of Representatives on Sunday by a vote of 82-46. The proposed legislation demands that every public classroom feature a copy of the Ten Commandments that is visible and easy to read.
Framed Displays Required in Every Classroom
If signed into law, the bill would require each classroom to post a framed or poster-sized version of the Ten Commandments measuring at least 16 by 20 inches. The display must appear in a "conspicuous place" and feature text that is legible from across the room.
Districts will have the choice to use their budgets to fund the Commandments' displays, or they may opt to accept private donations to cover the costs. This provision allows for flexibility in how the installations are paid for.
Rep. Candy Noble, a Republican from Lucas, led the push for the legislation in the House. She emphasized the historical role of the Ten Commandments in American education, calling them a foundational part of the nation's culture during the debate.
Legal Support Funded by Taxpayers
In anticipation of legal disputes, lawmakers added a provision ensuring state legal backing for schools. If lawsuits arise due to the requirement, the Texas attorney general will defend public schools at taxpayer expense.
Opponents say the new rule may conflict with constitutional protections for religious freedom. They cited the 1980 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Stone v. Graham, which struck down a similar law in Kentucky that mandated the Ten Commandments be posted in classrooms.
Supporters, on the other hand, argue that current legal precedent favors the bill. They refer to the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, in which the court ruled in favor of a high school football coach who had prayed on the field after games.
Amendments Seeking Religious Inclusion Rejected
During deliberations, Democratic legislators proposed several amendments to make the bill more inclusive of other faiths. Rep. Vince Perez of El Paso and Rep. Jon Rosenthal of Houston suggested incorporating three versions of the Ten Commandments—Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish—but the effort was unsuccessful.
Rep. Gene Wu, a Democrat from Houston, submitted an amendment that sought to include texts from other major world religions such as Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. His proposal also failed to gain support in the House.
Rep. Perez warned that the bill's narrow religious focus could lead to legal troubles. He argued that including multiple interpretations would better align Senate Bill 10 with constitutional standards.
Debate Centers on Religious Neutrality
Critics contend that the bill promotes religious favoritism. “Posting religious texts without context doesn't teach history. It risks promoting one religion over others, something our Constitution forbids,” said Rep. Perez.
He also pointed out the financial implications of legal proceedings over the law. “If we adopt the original version of this bill, legal challenges are inevitable, and taxpayers will bear the expense,” Perez added. “However, by clearly including all three major traditions, we strengthen the constitutional footing of this bill.”
Rep. Noble, defending the bill, emphasized its educational value. “Nothing is more deep-rooted in the fabric of our American tradition of education than the Ten Commandments,” she said during Saturday’s debate on the House floor.
Next Steps and Possible Challenges Ahead
Now that it has passed the House, SB 10 must return to the Senate for final approval. The Senate had previously approved a version of the bill, but final language changes require additional consideration.
Governor Greg Abbott has not publicly commented extensively on the measure, but he is widely expected to sign it into law once it reaches his desk. The governor has previously supported religious expression in public institutions.
If enacted, the new rule could set the stage for legal challenges at both the state and federal levels. Courts may be asked to weigh in on whether the law aligns with long-standing constitutional protections for religious liberty.
