Texas Senate Seeks to Bring Religion Back to Public Schools

The Texas Senate has approved two bills that would allow religious activities in public schools, with both measures following recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings. Senate Bill 11, introduced by Senator Mayes Middleton (R), and Senate Bill 10, introduced by Senator Phil King (R), seek to increase religious expression within public schools by permitting voluntary prayer and the display of the Ten Commandments.

SB 11 would allow students and faculty to engage in prayer or study religious texts, such as the Bible, during school hours, provided they give explicit consent. The bill states that these activities take place outside of instructional time and ensures that no one would be required to participate.

“We are a nation and a state built on ‘In God We Trust,’” Middleton said, emphasizing the bill's alignment with the state’s values.

SB 10 requires the posting of the Ten Commandments in every public-school classroom. Senator King argued that the Ten Commandments are foundational to U.S. law and culture, stating, “Few documents have had a larger impact on our moral code and our legal code.” SB 10 has received tentative approval, with a final vote scheduled for Wednesday.

These bills come after the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which involved a coach’s right to pray after football games. The Court ruled in favor of the coach, ending the "Lemon test" and focusing instead on whether religious activities are coercive. The ruling has opened the door for legislation like SB 10 and SB 11, allowing for non-coercive religious expression in schools.

Both bills have sparked debate, with critics raising concerns about potential coercion and conflicts with the First Amendment. However, supporters argue that the bills are in line with the changing interpretation of religious freedom in the U.S. educational system. With SB 10 set for a final vote in the Texas Senate, these bills are now on their way to the House for further consideration.