The Texas legislature introduced a bill this week that would require all public schools to display a copy of the Ten Commandments in all K-12 classrooms in the state.
The start of SB 1515 reads:
"A public elementary or secondary school shall display in a conspicuous place in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments that meets the requirements of Subsection (b)."
The bill is incredibly specific, even going so far as to dictate the required size of the poster and the typeface.
"A poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments described by Subsection (a) must:"
"(1) include the text of the Ten Commandments as provided by Subsection (c) in a size and typeface that is legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom in which the poster or framed copy is displayed;"
"and (2) be at least 15 inches wide and 20 inches tall."
It also contains the full text of the King James version of the Ten Commandments in the bill.
As NBC News reporter Mike Hixenbaugh pointed out on Twitter, the chosen language—and some of the concepts themselves—is quite likely to be confusing for elementary school students.
\u201cEvery K-12 public classroom in the state of Texas would be required to display these words: \n\n"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor\u2019s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant."\n\nYes, please explain that line to a 6-year-old. 2/\u201d— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike Hixenbaugh) 1680535653
In addition to mandating any classroom that does not already have a copy of the Ten Commandments "must" accept a donated poster and any extra copies "must" be offered to other schools, it allows the use of taxpayer money to purchase the religious posters.
Since Texas Governor Greg Abbott argued before the US Supreme Court for the Ten Commandments to be permitted to remain displayed on the state capitol grounds while he was state Attorney General, it seems quite likely Abbott will sign the bill if it makes it to his desk.
Abbott celebrated that win on Twitter last year, stating he will "always defend the values & ideals that shape our state."
\u201cToday, we celebrate Texas Independence Day & the victory of the Ten Commandments monument displayed on the Texas Capitol Grounds.\n\n17 years ago, I argued before the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the monument & WON.\n\nI will always defend the values & ideals that shape our state.\u201d— Greg Abbott (@Greg Abbott) 1646243944
There were a lot of people upset by the bill and its inherent hypocrisy.
The same people trying to make it impossible to talk about sex in school want a big poster on the classroom wall that talks about adultery.
\u201c@Mike_Hixenbaugh I\u2019d love for someone to ask a Republican how their rule against discussing sexuality in the classroom manages to get around a plaque talking about Biblical sex.\u201d— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike Hixenbaugh) 1680535653
\u201c@Mike_Hixenbaugh But, I thought you weren't allowed to speak of those types of things in (their) school\u201d— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike Hixenbaugh) 1680535653
\u201c@Mike_Hixenbaugh Seems to violate any "age-appropriate" restrictions conservatives continue to impose, doesn't it? Who saw that coming? /s\u201d— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike Hixenbaugh) 1680535653
A lot of people pointed out the United States Constitution bans the establishment of a state religion in the First Amendment.
Requiring state-funded institutions to display an Evangelical Christian version of a religious document in all classrooms is patently unconstitutional.
The beginning of the First Amendment reads:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
\u201c@Mike_Hixenbaugh Unbelievable! Where is separation of church and https://t.co/jvM2FNFSnR do you can explain to kids coveting your neighbors wife other issues. Isn't it interesting they want this posted since they've (GOP) broken every one of those commandments over and over again in office\u201d— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike Hixenbaugh) 1680535653
\u201c@Mike_Hixenbaugh Separation of Church and State. Cut funds to their state until they are back in compliance with the constitution\u201d— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike Hixenbaugh) 1680535653
\u201c@Mike_Hixenbaugh This will fail. It is a direct violation of the first amendment.\u201d— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike Hixenbaugh) 1680535653
It is likely SB 1515 would eventually be struck down as unconstitutional if signed into law, but it serves as evidence of the Republican party's ongoing efforts to make Evangelical Christianity the United State's official religion.
Many non-Evangelical Christian denominations do not cling to the version of the Bible created by English King James in 1611. The King James Bible was created as a political compromise between the established Anglican church and the growing ultra-conservative Puritan movement.
For a party that loves to quote the Founding Fathers and use their intentions to justify their own actions in the modern day, it doesn't seem like they paid very much attention to their many treatises opposing an American theocracy.
