Texas House Passes Bill Mandating Ten Commandments Posters in Classrooms

The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill requiring all public school classrooms to display a poster of the Ten Commandments, a move supported by Republicans like bill sponsor Candy Noble and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who argue it provides students with foundational moral guidance. However, Democrat State Rep. James Talarico, a former teacher and seminary student, strongly opposed the bill, calling it unconstitutional, un-American, and un-Christian, as it violates the separation of church and state and forces a specific religious belief on diverse students. Talarico also criticized the timing of the vote, which took place on a Sunday, pointing out the irony that Republicans broke the 4th Commandment by working on the Sabbath to pass this legislation. The debate highlights ongoing tensions in Texas over religion's role in public education, with the bill marking a further step in the state's efforts to embed Christian teachings in schools. Noble justified the bill by emphasizing the Ten Commandments' influence on societal values and respect for authority. The bill now awaits approval by the Texas Senate and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.