Texas Schools Get A Divine Makeover
Texas has enacted a new law requiring all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments, making it the largest U.S. state to implement such a mandate. Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10, which specifies that a 16-by-20-inch English-language version of the Ten Commandments must be posted in every classroom starting September 1. Abbott described the legislation as part of broader efforts to protect personal freedoms and preserve Texas’ founding values.
Alongside SB 10, Abbott also approved bills that allow voluntary daily periods for prayer or religious text reading during school hours. Supporters of the legislation, including conservative advocacy groups, argue that these actions align with recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions affirming religious expression in public institutions. They say the classroom displays reflect the country’s historical religious foundations, citing precedents like the Ten Commandments monument at the Texas Capitol and decisions such as Kennedy v. Bremerton School District.
Faith-based legal groups praised the law, viewing it as a restoration of religious presence in public education. However, critics, including civil liberties organizations and religious leaders, argue the move could infringe upon students’ religious freedom, especially in a state as diverse as Texas. They express concern about the impact on non-Christian students and question the constitutionality of state-mandated religious displays in public schools.
Legal opposition is expected, especially in light of similar laws being challenged or overturned in other states. A federal appeals court recently ruled a comparable Louisiana law unconstitutional. Despite that, Texas officials remain firm in their commitment to defending the legislation. Attorney General Liz Murrell has pledged to appeal any negative court rulings up to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
In a separate but related decision, Governor Abbott vetoed a bill that aimed to ban certain THC products, such as delta-8 and delta-9, citing the potential economic harm to Texas’ hemp industry. Instead, he called for tighter regulation and scheduled a special legislative session to address the issue more comprehensively.