Supporters Say the New Law Restores Moral Clarity; Critics Warn of Looming Constitutional Battles
Texas has passed a new law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom. Senate Bill 10, which mandates a 16-by-20-inch framed copy of the Protestant English version of the Ten Commandments, is expected to be signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. The law does not allow for paraphrasing or alternative versions, and supporters say it aims to reintroduce moral clarity into an increasingly confused culture.
Read More
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, a key proponent of the bill, said, “By placing the Ten Commandments in our public school classrooms, we ensure our students receive the same foundational moral compass as our state and country’s forefathers.”
This move follows other faith-based initiatives in Texas, including laws allowing voluntary prayer and Bible reading in schools, and Bible-based curriculum options for younger students. The trend points to a broader effort to bring religious values back into the heart of public education.
Jonathan Saenz, president of Texas Values, praised the law, saying, “There’s no doubt about the historical and cultural foundations and the significance of the Ten Commandments for our heritage and systems of law. There’s value for students to have an awareness of those things.”
Religious leaders have also voiced strong support. Shawn Carney, president of 40 Days for Life, said in a recent Fox News interview, “Our schools are violent. They are places that need the Ten Commandments. It’s basically the moral code for most people who have ever lived… It’s something that we need in the classrooms.”
However, the law is already drawing sharp criticism and is expected to face legal challenges. Civil liberties groups like the ACLU argue it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. They cite the 1980 Supreme Court case Stone v. Graham, which struck down a similar law in Kentucky. Additionally, a recent ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a comparable law in Louisiana, signaling legal trouble ahead for Texas.
Despite the legal challenges, many Texans see this as a defining cultural moment. Carney added, “The Ten Commandments are not political—they are eternal. And America desperately needs to remember them.”
As school districts begin preparing for the fall semester, Texas may soon become the first state to require biblical moral law in every classroom.
