DALLAS – Proposed bills in the Texas Senate are reigniting the debate over prayer and the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. These issues, long contentious, have once again captured the attention of lawmakers in Austin.
This marks the second attempt by State Senator Phil King (R-Weatherford) to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in schools. While his proposal passed the Senate in the previous legislative session, it ultimately failed to gain approval in the House. Senator King has also introduced Senate Bill 11, which would allow students, with parental consent, to participate in designated periods of prayer and Bible reading during the school day.
Prayer in Texas Schools
What They’re Saying:
“We spend so much time on various activities; a short period for prayer and Bible reading isn’t a bad thing,” said State Representative David Spiller (R-Jacksboro), who recently filed similar prayer legislation in the Texas House.
While current law allows students to silently pray before tests or between classes, Spiller’s bill would formalize a designated time for prayer. It would give school districts the option to hold a prayer period for both students and staff, but participation would be voluntary, requiring parental consent.
Josh Blackman, a constitutional law professor at the South Texas College of Law, suggested that the legal landscape for such proposals has shifted in recent years. “If structured as an opt-in program, with no coercion, it could likely withstand legal scrutiny,” Blackman noted. While he acknowledged the possibility of legal challenges, particularly around the display of the Ten Commandments, he pointed to a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld prayer at a public school football game, noting that students had the option to “look away” if they objected.
A Renewed Call for Moral Principles in Schools
For Representative Spiller, the Ten Commandments have a place in the classroom. “I believe many public schools have drifted away from essential moral values,” he said. “It’s important to bring back those principles.”
Despite the renewed support for these measures, both bills are expected to face significant legal challenges should they pass. As of now, no hearing dates have been set, but with the House leaning more conservatively this session, the proposals could gain traction in both chambers.