Texas State Democratic Representative James Talarico called out his GOP colleagues, noting that they'd broken one of the Ten Commandments in their efforts to pass a bill requiring Texas school classrooms to post them publicly.
Under Senate Bill 10, schools are required to display the Ten Commandments in every elementary and secondary school classroom across the state.
According to the proposed legislation, the commandments must be presented on a "durable poster" or within a framed copy measuring no less than 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall. The text must be legible from any point in the classroom by a person with average vision.
The bill also addresses cases where a school does not independently install such a display, saying it would be required to accept and post any privately donated version—provided it meets the size and visibility requirements outlined in the bill.
According to Republican Representative Candy Noble, the text of the Ten Commandments serves as a cornerstone of American democracy:
"Nothing is more deeply rooted in the fabric of our American tradition of education than the Ten Commandments. The very way we treat others as a society comes from the principles of the Ten Commandments."
"In these days of courtroom mayhem, it's time to return to the truth, to the fabric of our educational system. Respect authority, respect others and don't steal. Tell the truth. Don't kill. Keep your word."
But Talarico made clear that Republicans should not lecture anyone on moral principles, as you can see in the video below.
Talarico first asked her to name the Fourth Commandment, which decrees that adherents should "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
In Judaism, the Sabbath—known as Shabbat—is a weekly day of rest and spiritual reflection, observed from sunset on Friday until nightfall on Saturday. In most branches of Christianity, the Sabbath is typically observed on Sunday, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus and serving as a day of worship and rest.
Noble acknowledged that she and Talarico were speaking on Saturday in a clear violation of the Fourth Commandment. And when asked to name the Christian Sabbath, Noble quickly responded:
"Sunday, in honor of the day that Jesus rose from the dead."
Noble admitted it was "ironic" when, as Talarico pointed out that Sunday is the day that the chamber is "expected to give this bill a final vote." He then asked:
"Would you be willing to postpone your bill so we're not breaking the Ten Commandments on the Jewish or Christian Sabbath? ... You're saying that you'd rather tell people to follow the Ten Commandments than follow it yourself?"
Noble replied:
"I would rather have had this bill passed the other day when it was time."
Talarico then said:
"We as a legislature are about to force every teacher in the state to post the Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms. Do members of the Texas legislature follow the Ten Commandments?"
Noble became defensive:
"So, again, this bill is about honoring our historical, educational, and judicial heritage with the displaying Ten Commandments."
Talarico pointed out that the Ninth Commandment decrees that people should not "bear false witness," asking her if she is "aware of any legislators who have lied about anything." Noble fumbled for a few seconds before saying that "one might come up in a minute if you keep talking."
He then asked:
“The Seventh commitment is ‘Thou shall not commit adultery.' Do you think members of the legislature should focus on the Ten Commandments rather than telling others to follow them?”
After Noble gave an affirmative, Talarico asked if she thinks "legislators should focus on following the Ten Commandments rather than telling others to follow them." Noble fumbled again before saying "it is incumbent on all of us to follow God's law."
You can watch what happened and hear what Talarico said in the video below.
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
Talarico's words quickly went viral and many responded with their own criticisms of the Texas legislature.
Talarico made headlines in 2023 for a speech he gave in which he opposed the same bill.
At the time, he called outTexas Republicans for "trying to force public schools" to display the scripture. As a Christian himself, Talarico has referred to such displays as "idolatrous."
Stressing his commitment to all of his constituents, Talarico said his "concern is instead of bringing a bill that will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, we instead mandate that people put up a poster.” He noted that the bill's "exclusionary" and "arrogant" nature "are diametrically opposed to the teachings of Jesus."
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