In a significant move that has captured national attention, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed Senate Bill 10 into law, requiring all public school classrooms in Texas to display the Ten Commandments. This makes Texas the largest state to implement such a mandate, effective September 1. The law stipulates that a 16-by-20-inch poster or framed copy of a specific English version of the Ten Commandments must be prominently displayed in every classroom.
Governor Abbott expressed his enthusiasm for the legislation, stating, "Texas is where the American dream lives. Today, I signed critical legislation passed in the 89th Regular Legislative Session that protects the safety of Texans and safeguards the individual freedoms that our great state was founded on." His comments reflect a broader commitment to uphold traditional values in education and public life.
Alongside Senate Bill 10, Abbott also endorsed companion measures, SB 11 and SB 965, which allow school districts to provide a voluntary period for students and staff to pray or read religious texts during school hours. These developments come on the heels of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, such as the ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which affirmed a public school coach’s right to pray on the field after games.
Supporters of the law, including conservative groups, view this as a significant victory for religious expression in schools. Jonathan Saenz, president of Texas Values, remarked, "This is a Texas-sized blessing that the Ten Commandments will now be displayed for students to see, much like the Ten Commandments Monument at the Texas Capitol and in the U.S. Supreme Court." Saenz’s enthusiasm echoes a sentiment shared by many who believe that the law aligns with the nation’s religious heritage.
Matt Krause of the First Liberty Institute added, "Displaying the Ten Commandments and national motto and allowing students and teachers to express their faith in Texas classrooms is consistent with Supreme Court precedent that recognizes the country’s religious heritage and the best of the nation’s history and traditions." Such statements highlight the belief among proponents that these measures reinforce a historical connection to faith in America.
However, the new law has sparked considerable debate. Opponents, including various civil liberties groups and some faith leaders, argue that the requirement infringes upon the religious freedoms of Texas’ nearly 6 million public school students, many of whom come from diverse religious backgrounds. Critics fear that the law may alienate students who do not adhere to the Christian faith.
Similar legislative efforts in other states, such as Louisiana and Arkansas, have faced legal challenges, with Louisiana’s law recently ruled unconstitutional by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. As a result, the future of Texas’ law may also be tested in court. Texas Attorney General Liz Murrell has pledged to defend the new law vigorously, promising to appeal any unfavorable rulings to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
In a related matter, Governor Abbott recently vetoed a bill that sought to ban consumable THC products, citing concerns over potential harm to Texas’ burgeoning hemp industry. Instead, he has called for tighter regulations and announced a special legislative session to address this issue.
As Texas moves forward with this landmark legislation, the implications for public education and religious expression in schools will undoubtedly continue to unfold, drawing attention from across the nation. The discussions surrounding this law reflect broader societal debates about the role of faith in public life and the balance between religious expression and individual rights.
For more information on the implications of this law and updates on related legal matters, you can visit the Texas Legislature Online and First Liberty Institute.