Texas’ Ten Commandments Bill: A Clash of Faith, Freedom, and Education

Category: Social Values | Subcategory: Education: Academic Influence

On May 30, 2025, Texas took a bold and controversial step toward intertwining religion with public education. Senate Bill 10 (SB 10), which mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, passed both the Texas House (82-46) and Senate (28-3) and now awaits the signature of Governor Greg Abbott, who has publicly committed to signing it into law. This move, part of a broader push to integrate Christian values into Texas schools, has sparked heated debate, with supporters praising it as a return to moral foundations and opponents decrying it as a violation of constitutional principles. As the nation watches, the question looms: What happens when government wades into the realm of religion in public education?

A New Chapter in Texas’ Religious Push

Texas, with nearly 6 million students across 9,100 public schools, is poised to become the largest state to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, following Louisiana and Arkansas. SB 10 requires schools to post a durable, 16x20-inch poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments, using the King James Bible’s wording, in every classroom by September 2025. The bill’s proponents, led by Republican Senator Phil King and Representative Candy Noble, argue that the Ten Commandments are a foundational element of American history and law, offering students a “moral compass” in a time of perceived societal decline.

This isn’t Texas’ first foray into blending religion with education. In recent years, the state has required classrooms to display donated “In God We Trust” signs, allowed unlicensed religious chaplains to replace mental health counselors, and approved Bible-infused curriculum materials. SB 10, however, takes this trend to a new level, mandating a specific religious text in every classroom, regardless of subject matter or student demographics.

The Case for the Commandments

Supporters of SB 10 frame the bill as a reclamation of America’s historical and moral roots. Senator King has argued that the Ten Commandments provide “moral clarity” for students, emphasizing values like “don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t kill, respect your parents.” Representative Noble, the bill’s House sponsor, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The way we treat others in our society comes from the principles found in the Ten Commandments.” Advocates also point to a 2019 Supreme Court decision, Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which upheld a coach’s right to pray on a public school field, as evidence that the legal landscape may favor such displays.

On social media, some Texans have voiced enthusiastic support. One X user, Cosmo Kramer, posted, “Our whole country should follow this,” while another, Nelle, wrote, “Children need a good moral compass.” These sentiments reflect a belief among some that reintroducing religious principles into schools could counteract what they see as a decades-long moral decline.

The Opposition: A Constitutional Crisis?

Opponents, including Democrats, civil liberties groups, and some religious leaders, argue that SB 10 violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from endorsing religion. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have already announced plans to sue, citing a 1980 Supreme Court ruling (Stone v. Graham) that struck down a similar Kentucky law for promoting religion in public schools. A federal judge’s recent ruling against Louisiana’s nearly identical law further bolsters their case.

Democratic Representative James Talarico, a former teacher, has been a vocal critic, accusing Republicans of hypocrisy for passing the bill on a Sunday, violating the Fourth Commandment’s call to honor the Sabbath. In a viral exchange, Talarico challenged Noble, asking how teachers should explain complex concepts like “adultery” to young students. Critics also highlight the bill’s use of the Protestant King James version of the Ten Commandments, which differs from Catholic and Jewish versions, potentially alienating students of other faiths or none at all. With Texas’ student population being 42% Protestant, 22% Catholic, and less than 1% Jewish, opponents argue that the bill marginalizes non-Christians.

The Texas teachers’ union has also opposed the bill, with spokesperson Clay Robison stating, “Public schools are not supposed to be Sunday school.” Critics like Robert Tuttle, a professor of religion and law at George Washington University, argue that the constant presence of a sacred text in classrooms sends a message to students that they should “read and obey” it, effectively amounting to state-sponsored religious instruction.

A Historical Perspective: When Government and Religion Collide

History offers cautionary tales about the dangers of blending government and religion. In the 17th century, Puritan-led colonies in America enforced strict religious codes, punishing dissenters and nonbelievers, which led to social division and persecution. Globally, state-sponsored religion has often fueled conflict, from the Spanish Inquisition to modern theocracies where minority faiths face oppression. The U.S. Constitution’s framers, wary of such outcomes, crafted the First Amendment to ensure religious freedom and prevent government endorsement of any faith.

The Supreme Court’s 1980 Stone v. Graham decision explicitly ruled that displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools violates the Establishment Clause by promoting religion over secular education. While supporters of SB 10 hope the current conservative-leaning Supreme Court might rule differently, legal scholars like Tuttle argue that the Kennedy case, which involved private prayer, is distinct from mandating religious displays in classrooms.

The Broader Context: A National Trend

Texas’ bill is part of a broader movement in conservative-led states to infuse religion into public education. Louisiana’s similar law, passed in 2024, is currently blocked by a federal court, and Arkansas recently enacted a comparable mandate. Oklahoma’s state superintendent has mandated Bibles in classrooms, and other states are considering similar measures. These efforts follow a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that appeared to loosen restrictions on religion in public spaces, emboldening conservative lawmakers.

Yet, these moves come at a time when public schools face pressing challenges, including teacher shortages and funding shortfalls for special education and safety programs. Critics argue that prioritizing religious displays diverts resources and attention from these urgent needs, potentially undermining the quality of education for Texas’ diverse student body.

What’s at Stake?

The debate over SB 10 is more than a legal skirmish—it’s a battle over the soul of public education. For supporters, it’s about restoring values they believe have been eroded. For opponents, it’s about protecting the separation of church and state, a cornerstone of American democracy. The bill’s passage could set a precedent for other states, potentially reshaping the national conversation about religion in schools. But with legal challenges already in motion, the fight is far from over.

If signed into law, SB 10 will take effect in September 2025, affecting millions of students and thousands of classrooms. The outcome of the anticipated lawsuits could either reinforce the wall between church and state or further blur the lines, depending on how courts interpret the evolving legal landscape.

Engaging the Future

As Texas stands at this crossroads, the debate over SB 10 invites us to reflect on the role of religion in public life. Should schools be spaces for moral instruction rooted in specific faiths, or should they remain neutral to reflect America’s diverse beliefs? Can the Ten Commandments be displayed as a historical document without endorsing religion? And how will this mandate affect students who don’t share the Christian faith?

The answers to these questions will shape not only Texas’ classrooms but also the broader fabric of American education. As the legal battles unfold, one thing is clear: when government and religion intersect, the consequences ripple far beyond the classroom walls.

Thought Questions:

1. Should public schools prioritize universal values over specific religious teachings, or is there room for both in education?

2. How might mandating the Ten Commandments in classrooms affect students of different faiths or no faith at all?

3. Can the Ten Commandments be presented as a historical document without implying religious endorsement, or is it inherently a religious act?

Sources: Various web sources and posts on X, including The Texas Tribune, NBC News, and the ACLU.