Texas classrooms may soon showcase the Ten Commandments as a bold new law inches closer to reality. Senate Bill 10, which mandates these displays in public schools, passed the Texas House on Sunday, sparking both cheers and constitutional concerns. Governor Greg Abbott’s signature could cement this as a landmark move for conservative values.

According to the Daily Caller, the Texas Senate greenlit SB 10 in March with a 20-11 vote, split along party lines, and the House followed with an 88-49 tally after fiery debates. Democratic amendments fell flat, unable to sway the Republican-led charge. This bill, now awaiting Abbott’s approval, positions Texas as the largest state to mandate such displays.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a staunch Republican, championed SB 10 as a session priority. “By placing the Ten Commandments in our public school classrooms, we ensure our students receive the same foundational moral compass as our state and country’s forefathers,” Patrick declared.

Ten Commandments in Classrooms

Patrick’s “moral compass” argument sidesteps a pesky detail: the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1980 ruling against such displays. Stone v. Graham deemed the classroom Ten Commandments unconstitutional, a precedent that looms large over SB 10. Texas seems ready to test those waters again, with legal battles on the horizon.

The bill requires durable posters or framed copies of the Ten Commandments, at least 16 by 20 inches, in every public school classroom. Schools can use donated displays or district funds to comply. The law, set to take effect in the 2025-26 school year, demands the exact text specified in the legislation.

State Sen. Phil King, the bill’s author, called the Ten Commandments “part of our Texas and American story.” His words echo a deep-rooted belief among supporters that these biblical principles shaped the nation’s moral foundation. Critics, however, see a slippery slope toward blurring church and state.

Constitutional Questions Arise

Louisiana’s similar law, passed last year, is already tangled in a lawsuit from multi-faith parents. Texas’s bill, lacking an enforcement mechanism, leaves questions about how schools will handle noncompliance. The House committee analysis insists no criminal offense is created, but clarity remains elusive.

Supporters argue the Ten Commandments reflect universal values, not religious dogma. Yet, the 1980 Supreme Court ruling suggests otherwise, branding such displays as government endorsement of religion. Texas is betting on a different outcome, perhaps banking on a more conservative court.

The bill’s passage wasn’t without drama, as Democrats fought tooth and nail to amend it. Their efforts failed against a Republican majority determined to see SB 10 through. The vote’s lopsided result underscores Texas’s deep red resolve to reclaim traditional values.

Heritage or Imposition?

SB 10’s supporters frame it as a nod to American heritage, not a theocratic power grab. But opponents argue it alienates non-Christian students and risks costly legal fights. The balance between honoring tradition and respecting diversity hangs in the air.

Come 2025, every Texas classroom could feature the biblical code, from kindergarten to high school. The mandated size ensures visibility, but the lack of enforcement teeth raises practical questions. Will rogue teachers or districts quietly ignore the rule?

Governor Abbott, a Republican stalwart, is expected to sign SB 10 into law. His approval would mark a defiant stand against progressive pushback. Texas, it seems, is doubling down on its conservative identity.

Legal Battles Loom

The 1980 Stone v. Graham decision remains a formidable obstacle. The Supreme Court ruled that classroom displays violate the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. Texas’ gamble might hinge on a shifted judicial landscape or creative legal arguments.

Louisiana’s ongoing lawsuit offers a glimpse of what’s coming. A coalition of parents spanning multiple faiths argues that mandated religious displays infringe on personal beliefs. Texas could face a similar multi-faith backlash, testing its resolve.

SB 10’s lack of enforcement provisions adds intrigue. Without clear penalties, compliance might vary widely across Texas’s vast school districts. The absence of teeth could render the law more symbolic than substantive.