10 Commandments, designated prayer time may become features at Texas public schools if state Senate bills become law

Two bills which have passed the Texas Senate may soon make state public schools more inclusive for Christian and Jewish students and teachers.

The first bill, introduced by Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford), would require every classroom in all public elementary and secondary schools in Texas to display a sizeable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments. The display must be "in a size and typeface that is legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom," S.B. 1515 read in part. The measure passed 17-12 along party lines, with every present Republican voting in favor and every Democrat voting against it. Two Republicans were absent.

Sen. King is proud of the bill's success thus far. "[It] will remind students all across Texas of the importance of the fundamental foundation of America," he stated.

The other bill, introduced by Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), would designate a portion of each school day for prayer or Bible reading. Those of other faiths would also be free to read religious texts of their choosing. Participation in prayer or the reading of religious texts would be entirely voluntary, and parents must give their consent, the bill stated. No school-wide prayer may be announced over a school's intercom system. That bill likewise passed the Republican-controlled Senate, 17-12.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) — who oversees the state Senate and who exercises some control over its committees, appointments, and parliamentary procedures — has already expressed his support for both bills. "I believe that you cannot change the culture of the country until you change the culture of mankind," Patrick said. "Bringing the Ten Commandments and prayer back to our public schools will enable our students to become better Texans."

Despite strong support from many state Republicans, some parents and other residents have balked at the measures. John Litzler, general counsel and director of public policy at the Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission, told a Senate committee that the measures usurped his parental authority.

"I should have the right to introduce my daughter to the concepts of adultery and coveting one’s spouse," Litzler said. "It shouldn’t be one of the first things she learns to read in her kindergarten classroom."

Various outlets also revealed their disdain for the bills through blatant editorializing. The Guardian bristled at state leaders daring "to push more religion into schools," while the Texas Tribune worried that they might "inject religion into" them. The Dallas Morning News expressed similar concerns, claiming that "the Legislature could be inserting more religion into public education," while the Washington Post lamented that "Republican-controlled legislatures" could be "reshaping how schools discuss gender, diversity and religion."

Surprise can even be heard in the voices of the following news reporters from KHOU-TV:

Last year, Texas passed a law requiring that the national motto "In God We Trust" be prominently displayed in public schools. For Senate bills 1515 and 1396 to become law as well, they will first have to be approved by the state House and then signed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R). They would then go into effect in September, just in time for the 2023-24 school year to begin.

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