Texas Schools Mandate: How the New Law Will Bring the Ten Commandments into Every Classroom

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas is making headlines by mandating all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. This new law makes Texas the largest state to adopt such a requirement.

Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill recently, but it’s already sparking debate. Critics argue that this law violates the separation of church and state, which has been a core principle in U.S. governance. For example, a similar law in Louisiana was blocked by a federal appeals court on constitutional grounds.

The Texas law passed with ease in the Republican-majority state legislature. Supporters like state representative Candy Noble believe the Ten Commandments hold significant educational and historical value.

In addition to this, Abbott also approved a bill that lets schools allow a voluntary period for prayer or the reading of religious texts. Such measures are part of a broader trend in conservative states to bring religious elements into public education.

The Texas law stipulates that classrooms must post a specific version of the Ten Commandments in a 16-by-20-inch format. This raises questions about the translation and interpretation of the commandments, as various faiths may view them differently.

Supporters claim these commandments form a foundational part of American law and education. However, many faith leaders, including some Christians, argue that this infringes on the religious freedom of students from diverse backgrounds. With nearly 6 million students in Texas public schools, this decision affects many who may not identify with the Ten Commandments.

Historically, Abbott has been involved in similar cases. In 2005, as the state attorney general, he successfully argued for displaying a Ten Commandments monument at the Texas Capitol. Meanwhile, Louisiana’s version of the law has been deemed unconstitutional by multiple federal courts.

Diving deeper, a Pew Research study from 2021 revealed that nearly 80% of Americans support the separation of church and state, showing a clear divide between public opinion and legislative actions like this one. If challenged in court, this law could face a serious fight, echoing the controversies from the past and highlighting ongoing debates about religion in public spaces.

As states continue to grapple with these issues, the outcomes could significantly impact how religious expressions are handled in public schools across the nation.



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Church and state, Texas, Greg Abbott, Louisiana, Arkansas, Religion and politics, General news, TX State Wire, Texas state government, Supreme Court of the United States, U.S. news, Candy Noble, Religion, Liz Murrell