The debate over religious symbols in Texas public schools has resurfaced, with the Texas Senate reintroducing legislation that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. According to a report by CBS Austin, Weatherford Republican Senator Phil King introduced the legislation, citing a previous U.S. Supreme Court decision that reversed a 1980 precedent. King's bill, if passed, would make it mandatory for each classroom to display a poster featuring the Ten Commandments.
Senator Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, has also thrown his bill into the ring, with the introduction of SB 11 that would empower school boards to allocate time for prayer and Bible reading in schools. This bill, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman, is part of a pair of bills seeking to inject more religious influence into the state's education system. The bills are receiving pushback, with critics arguing they would blatantly violate the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Individuals like AISD mother and former teacher Sarah Ivory express concern over the separation of church and state, a sentiment echoed by Terry Kosobud, a grandparent and part of the advocacy group Grandparents for Public Schools. Ivory, who once taught in Title One schools, maintained, "They're learning about the entire globe, and they're getting a global education that I think is going to serve them and make them really powerful as they're growing up," as she told CBS Austin. Her stance underscores the pushback from those who view the proposed legislation as a step away from inclusive educational practices that respect a diversity of beliefs.
Supporters of the bills, however, see the Ten Commandments as foundational to the country's moral compass. "The Ten Commandments are part of our Texas and American story. They are ingrained into who we are as a people and as a nation," King said, as summarized by the Austin American-Statesman. Lt. Gov Dan Patrick has designated both SB 10 and SB 11 as priority bills for the legislature, further emphasizing the GOP's commitment to introducing religious elements into public education.
The legal implications of such legislation remain a point of contention. Rick Rosen, a retired Texas Tech University School of Law professor, addressed the precedent set by a 1980 Supreme Court ruling that found the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms unconstitutional. "Based on Stone, the proposed Texas statute seemingly violates the Establishment Clause," Rosen explained. The upcoming Supreme Court case involving the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School might provide new legal ground by calling into question state funding for religious charter schools, potentially influencing future decisions regarding the bills in Texas.
