Texas is taking bold steps to reaffirm the role of faith in public life by advancing legislation requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. The Texas Senate is poised to pass Senate Bill 10 (SB 10), which mandates that every elementary and secondary classroom prominently display the Ten Commandments in a 16-inch by 20-inch frame or poster, ensuring it is “legible for a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom,” according to the legislation.
Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, who is championing the bill, emphasized that its goal is to provide students with “moral clarity” and reinforce America’s spiritual heritage. King also noted that Louisiana has already passed similar legislation and that at least 14 other states are considering the same course of action. “It is time for Texas to pass SB 10 to bring back the historical tradition of recognizing our national heritage,” he stated.
From a Catholic perspective, the effort to restore the visibility of the Ten Commandments aligns with the broader mission of faith-based moral education. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Ten Commandments are “the path of life” (CCC 2057) and a foundation for ethical living. For centuries, Catholic education has instilled these divine laws in students, helping them form a moral compass guided by faith and reason.
A Legal Battle with Deep-Rooted History
The bill is expected to face legal challenges, as past Supreme Court rulings have struck down similar laws. However, supporters argue that a recent shift in judicial interpretation has opened the door for new legislation. King pointed to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Lemon test, a legal standard used to evaluate whether government actions improperly favor one religion over another. The Lemon test was the basis for the Court’s 1980 decision in Stone v. Graham, which prohibited Kentucky from requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms.
King predicted that if SB 10 becomes law, “some judge will issue an injunction, and then hopefully it’ll work its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court and that bad law of Stone v. Graham will be overturned.”
Faith in the Public Square
For many Catholic families and religious leaders, the bill is a welcome step in pushing back against the secularization of public spaces. The late Pope St. John Paul II frequently called on Catholics to defend the role of faith in society, noting that religious truth should not be confined to private life. In Evangelium Vitae, he warned against societies that attempt to “remove God from the public domain” (EV 96), a trend that has led to moral relativism and cultural decline.
Opposition and Cultural Debate
While supporters of the bill view it as an effort to restore Christian values in education, opponents argue that it promotes one religion over others. Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, expressed concerns about the law’s implications for religious diversity, while others worry about classroom discussions on biblical terms such as “adultery” and “manservant.”
Secular organizations have also pushed back. According to Rocio Fierro Perez of the Texas Freedom Network, “Government cheapens religious faith when it imposes mandates designed to promote it.” Similarly, Jaime Puente of Every Texan criticized SB 10 as another example of the government imposing unnecessary restrictions on schools.
Yet, for many Catholic educators and families, faith is not merely a personal matter but a guiding force for moral and social order. The Ten Commandments serve as a timeless moral code given by God Himself. “Students are crying out for moral clarity,” King said, and SB 10 seeks to provide that clarity in a time of increasing moral confusion.
Looking Forward
SB 10 is part of a broader movement to reintegrate faith into public schools. Other Republican-backed bills aim to protect school employees’ right “to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty” and allow school boards to require daily time for prayer and Scripture reading. These measures reflect the growing demand for restoring faith-based principles in education.
The Catholic Church has long recognized the importance of religious instruction in shaping young minds. While secular education can provide knowledge, it is faith that gives wisdom. As Pope Benedict XVI reminded the world, “Truth is not determined by majority vote” (Homily at World Youth Day, 2005). Efforts like SB 10 challenge the prevailing secular ideology and offer students the foundation they need to navigate life with moral clarity and divine wisdom.
As Texas moves forward with this initiative, Catholics and Christians alike should remain prayerful and engaged. The battle for religious freedom in education is far from over, but efforts like SB 10 offer hope for a future where God’s laws once again serve as a guiding light for the next generation.
