Texas Is About to Make the Ten Commandments Mandatory in Classrooms

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Texas lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom across the state. Senate Bill 10, passed by the Texas House in a vote of 82–46, now returns to the Senate for concurrence. If approved, it heads to Governor Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law. The measure is part of a growing national push to insert religious elements into public education, even as legal experts warn it may violate the constitutional separation of church and state.

Supporters Say the Bill Reflects Tradition, Not Indoctrination

Supporters of the bill argue that the Ten Commandments represent foundational moral teachings central to American civic life. Its sponsor in the House, Rep. Candy Noble, cited a 2005 Supreme Court ruling that upheld the Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas Capitol. Noble claims that ruling justifies classroom displays using the same wording from the King James Bible. However, critics of the bill soundly rejected the argument by pointing out that the Court never approved such a mandate in public schools.

Opponents say the bill crosses into religious endorsement. In 1980, the Supreme Court struck down a similar Kentucky law in Stone v. Graham. That decision found that compulsory displays of religious texts in classrooms violated the Establishment Clause. Rep. Vincent Perez, one of the bill’s strongest critics, argued that Stone remains good law and that the monument case cited by Noble does not apply to schools. He also raised concerns about the exclusion of non-Christian students in a diverse state like Texas.

Legal Battles Loom as Lawmakers Brace for Lawsuits

A legal challenge is expected. Lawmakers amended the bill to make the state, not local school districts, responsible for defending any lawsuits. That change signals that they anticipate a court battle. A similar law in Louisiana is on hold. A federal judge ruled it unconstitutional in 2024. That case is now on appeal.

Many Republican lawmakers view the church-state divide as a misreading of the Constitution. They say religious expression belongs in public spaces, including schools. This belief has gained strength since the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. That case upheld a football coach’s right to pray on the field after games. Some legislators now see it as a precedent for introducing more religion into schools.

Texans React as Critics Warn of Exclusion and Confusion

When it comes to the citizenry, Texans are split. Some support the move while others express outrage at yet another bill favoring one religion over another. Polling remains limited, but the House vote reflected party lines. A few Democrats supported the bill. However, Republican lawmakers rejected all amendments that would have expanded religious representation. Proposed additions of Jewish, Catholic, Islamic, Hindu, or secular moral texts were denied.

Critics argue the bill elevates a Protestant Christian perspective. The text required by the bill comes from the King James Bible. Rep. James Talarico, a former public school teacher and Christian seminary student, called the bill exclusionary. He warned it could backfire and deepen divisions in the classroom.

The bill raises practical concerns. Teachers may struggle to answer theological questions from students. Some terms in the text, like adultery, may not be age-appropriate. Sadly, the bill includes no enforcement mechanism, leaving unclear what happens if a school fails to comply.

The constitutional issue remains unresolved. Legal experts say passive displays of religious texts may be permissible. However, requiring them by law in every classroom may appear to endorse religion. As such, this is a legal risk Texas may soon face.

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