Texas Senate passes bills for prayer and Ten Commandments

The Texas Senate has passed two important bills aimed at bringing religion into public schools. Senate Bill 11 allows school boards to designate time for prayer during the school day, while Senate Bill 10 requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all classrooms. Senate Bill 11, proposed by State Sen. Mayes Middleton, ensures that schools can have a specific time for students and staff to pray or read religious texts. Participation would be voluntary, and parents must opt their children in. School boards will vote on whether to implement this prayer time, and the legislation mandates that any potential lawsuits against districts stemming from this law would be defended by the Texas attorney general. Supporters argue that the bills promote religious expression. Sen. Middleton stated that schools should not be “God-free zones.” Some senators raised concerns, stating that these measures might violate the U.S. Constitution by favoring one religion. Opponents also worry that more religious practices could create pressure or bullying for non-Christian students. Senate Bill 10 requires that the Ten Commandments be displayed prominently in classrooms. The display must meet specific size requirements and be readable from anywhere in the room. If classrooms don’t already have the commandments posted, they must accept privately donated copies. Proponents highlight the importance of such moral teachings in education. The bills aim to reinforce the role of religion in schools, reflecting priorities set by Texas leaders. If passed in the House, they could change how religious activities are accommodated in Texas public schools.