Texas lawmakers push to bring ten commandments back to public schools – Times of India

A decisive vote by the Texas House of Representatives has brought the state one step closer to embedding the Ten Commandments within every public school classroom. This legislation, driven by conservative lawmakers, represents a significant effort to reintegrate religious symbols into public education—reviving a contentious debate over the separation of church and state.The Republican-controlled House approved Senate Bill 10 by a margin of 82 to 46 on May 25, rejecting amendments that aimed to include religious texts from Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. With Governor Greg Abbott’s signature expected, the law would mandate the prominent display of the Ten Commandments in all public schools beginning this September.The bill requires that a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments, measuring no less than 16 by 20 inches, be displayed in every public classroom across Texas. The measure extends to all school districts and charter schools with no exemptions. Furthermore, schools that lack resources must accept privately donated posters, ensuring universal compliance.

Legal showdown looms over church-state divide

Constitutional scholars warn that the legislation is poised to face immediate legal challenges, given its potential conflict with the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion in public schools.

A national movement to reintroduce religion in public education

Texas’s move aligns with a broader trend among conservative states seeking to reintroduce Christian teachings in public schools. Similar laws mandating the display of the Ten Commandments have recently passed in Louisiana and Arkansas, while Oklahoma has pushed for Bible instruction despite legislative resistance.These efforts reflect a larger ideological shift in regions with strong evangelical influence, sparking fierce debates over religious freedom and educational policy.

Civil liberties groups prepare for court battle

The bill has drawn immediate criticism from civil rights organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups argue that the mandate infringes on the rights of students who do not adhere to Christianity or any religion.As Texas prepares to implement this controversial law, the inevitable legal contest will test the limits of religious expression in public education. The outcome may redefine the balance between respecting religious heritage and upholding constitutional protections in America’s classrooms.Texas stands at a crossroads, where political will and constitutional law are set to collide in a debate that transcends state borders and echoes across the nation.