Texas schools will now display the Ten Commandments in every classroom as Governor Greg Abbott signs a law reaffirming America’s biblical heritage in defiance of progressive secularism.
Key Takeaways
- Texas requires all public school classrooms to display 16×20 inch Ten Commandments posters or frames starting September 1, impacting 5.5 million students across 9,100 schools
- The law mandates the King James Bible version of the commandments be used and must be readable from anywhere in the classroom
- Schools can use district funds or must accept private donations for the displays that meet requirements
- Similar laws in Louisiana have faced legal challenges with Louisiana’s version being blocked as unconstitutional
- Governor Abbott previously argued successfully before the Supreme Court in 2005 for a Ten Commandments monument at the Texas Capitol
A Return to Traditional Values in Texas Education
In a decisive move affirming traditional American values, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed Senate Bill 10 into law, mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms throughout the state. The bill, which passed the Republican-controlled Texas legislature with strong support (82-46 in the House), requires each classroom to prominently feature a 16-by-20-inch poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments using King James Bible language. The commandments must be displayed in a way that ensures they are readable from any part of the classroom, directly exposing nearly 6 million Texas students to these foundational moral principles.
“The focus of this bill is to look at what is historically important to our nation educationally and judicially,” Republican state representative Candy Noble said.
The law, set to take effect on September 1, allows schools to purchase the displays using district funds but does not require them to do so. Importantly, schools must accept private donations of displays that meet the requirements, ensuring that implementation can proceed regardless of budget constraints. This approach reflects a practical solution to bringing timeless moral teachings back into educational settings without placing additional financial burdens on school districts already facing resource challenges.
Public Response and Community Support
The law has generated strong support among many Texas parents and community members who believe American education has drifted too far from its moral foundations. Many conservatives view this as a necessary correction to decades of progressive influence in public education that has systematically removed religious and traditional moral references from classrooms. The measure represents part of a broader movement to reconnect American education with the Judeo-Christian principles that informed the nation’s founding and legal development.
“My thoughts are yes, I think that’s a great idea. We’ve lost a lot of trust in our school system and those 10 commandments are a great start,” said Laine Boyd.
While many Texas parents have expressed enthusiasm for the new requirement, not all community responses have been positive. Some residents, while personally supportive of the commandments’ moral guidance, have expressed concerns about respecting religious diversity. This tension reflects the broader national debate about the appropriate role of religious symbolism in public institutions, though Texas lawmakers have clearly prioritized reconnecting students with America’s moral and legal heritage over secular progressive concerns.
Legal Challenges and Constitutional Questions
The Texas law is likely to face legal challenges similar to those encountered by comparable legislation in Louisiana and Arkansas. Critics argue that such displays violate the separation of church and state, though supporters point out that the Ten Commandments have historically been recognized by the Supreme Court as having both religious and secular significance. Governor Abbott is particularly well-positioned to defend the law, having successfully argued before the Supreme Court in 2005 for the constitutionality of a Ten Commandments monument on the Texas Capitol grounds.
Louisiana’s similar law was recently blocked by federal courts as unconstitutional, but Texas officials appear confident in their legal position. The state’s approach emphasizes the historical and educational importance of the Ten Commandments rather than purely religious considerations. This framing may provide stronger legal footing, particularly given the current composition of the Supreme Court, which has shown greater receptivity to acknowledging the role of religious traditions in American public life and institutions.
“Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Saturday that he signed a bill into law, that would require all public-school classrooms in his state to display the Ten Commandments,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said.
This law represents a significant victory for conservatives seeking to restore traditional values in education and public life. By bringing the Ten Commandments back into classrooms, Texas is reasserting the importance of moral frameworks that have guided American law and society since its founding. For the millions of Texas students who will now encounter these principles daily, this law may provide a crucial moral foundation that progressive educational approaches have increasingly neglected.
