Texas Lt. Gov. promises to put up Ten Commandments in schools.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is making headlines with his latest pledge to pass a bill that would require public school and college classrooms in Texas to display the Ten Commandments. This announcement comes just days after a similar measure was signed into law in Louisiana, sparking a wave of discussion and controversy.
Patrick took to social media to voice his criticism of Texas State House Speaker Dade Phelan, a fellow Republican, for blocking a state Senate bill that would have mandated the display of the Ten Commandments in schools. Undeterred by this setback, Patrick has promised to reintroduce the measure, known as SB 1515, stating that it will uphold America’s historical traditions and remind students of the foundational principles of American and Texas law.
This move by Patrick aims to reinstate a long-standing practice of recognizing the significance of the Ten Commandments in shaping American values and legal systems. By requiring their display in classrooms, Patrick hopes to emphasize the importance of these moral guidelines to students across Texas.
The proposed bill would mandate that all public elementary and secondary schools in Texas display the Ten Commandments in each classroom, filling a void where no such requirement currently exists. This initiative reflects Patrick’s strong belief in the value of highlighting the country’s heritage in educational settings.
Patrick’s clash with Speaker Phelan stems from their differing views on various political issues, most notably highlighted during the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton earlier this year. This tension between the two Republican leaders has now spilled over into the debate over the display of the Ten Commandments in schools.
Following Louisiana’s groundbreaking decision to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, Patrick lamented that Texas missed the opportunity to take the lead in this initiative. He criticized Speaker Phelan for hindering the progress of the bill, ensuring that it would not reach the floor for a vote.
As Louisiana becomes the first state to enforce such a requirement, civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have expressed their intent to challenge the law. This development sets the stage for a potential legal battle over the constitutionality of displaying religious symbols in public schools.
Notre Dame Law School Professor Richard W. Garnett, a respected authority on church-state relations, anticipates that other states may follow in Louisiana’s footsteps by introducing similar measures. The constitutionality of such laws is likely to be scrutinized, particularly concerning their potential impact on children in classroom settings.
The central question that may arise in legal challenges is whether displaying the Ten Commandments in schools could exert a coercive influence on students, given the diverse religious landscape of the country. Critics of these laws argue that public schools should remain neutral spaces, free from religious indoctrination.
In a joint statement denouncing Louisiana’s law, the ACLU and other civil rights groups emphasized the importance of religious freedom and the separation of church and state in public institutions. They underscored that individuals should have the autonomy to choose their own beliefs, without government interference.
As the debate over the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools continues to unfold, it raises fundamental questions about the boundaries between religion, education, and government. The outcome of these legal challenges will shape the future of religious expression in educational settings and reaffirm the principles of religious freedom enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
