Republican Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has pledged to reintroduce a bill that would require public school and college classrooms to display the Ten Commandments, following a similar law passed in Louisiana.
Republican Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has vowed to revive legislation requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, days after Louisiana became the first state to enact such a measure into law.
Patrick's announcement comes amidst a political battle with Texas state House Speaker Dade Phelan, who previously blocked a similar bill in the state Senate. Patrick has accused Phelan of failing to prioritize the measure and has criticized him for allowing it to "languish in committee."
Texas Lt. Gov. Vows to Reintroduce Bill Requiring Ten Commandments Display in Schools
The proposed bill, SB 1515, would mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom in Texas public elementary and secondary schools. Currently, no such requirement exists.
Patrick has argued that the bill is a necessary step to "bring back this historical tradition of recognizing America's heritage" and remind students of the importance of the Ten Commandments as a foundation of American and Texas law.
Texas Lt. Gov. Vows to Reintroduce Bill Requiring Ten Commandments Display in Schools
However, critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other civil rights groups, have vowed to challenge the law. They argue that the display of religious text in public schools violates the First Amendment's establishment clause, which prohibits the government from establishing or promoting a particular religion.
Notre Dame Law School Professor Richard W. Garnett says it is likely that several states will attempt to replicate Louisiana's law. However, he notes that the Supreme Court's doctrine on church-state separation has evolved, leaving it unclear whether these measures will be upheld.
Texas Lt. Gov. Vows to Reintroduce Bill Requiring Ten Commandments Display in Schools
Garnett emphasizes that a key issue for the court will be whether the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms has a "coercive effect" on children, given their age and the setting.
Opponents of the law contend that the United States is a religiously diverse nation and that public schools serve a "pluralistic people," regardless of the Christian convictions that influenced the country's founding.
Texas Lt. Gov. Vows to Reintroduce Bill Requiring Ten Commandments Display in Schools
The ACLU and civil rights groups have issued a joint statement condemning the Louisiana law and vowing to oppose similar measures. They maintain that religion is a personal matter and that the government should not impose religious doctrine on students.
Patrick, a conservative Christian, has defended the bill as a way to promote moral values and civic responsibility. However, critics argue that it is an attempt to impose religious dogma on impressionable young minds.
The political battle over the display of the Ten Commandments in schools reflects the ongoing debate over the role of religion in public life in the United States. It remains to be seen whether the courts will uphold these measures or whether they will be deemed unconstitutional infringements on religious freedom.
