On Sept. 1, Texas Senate Bill 10, signed and sanctified by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, became the Lone Star State’s law of the land.
What exactly is that law? It requires all state public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. What the law doesn’t require is its biggest supporters, Texas Republicans, to actually follow and live the Ten Commandments.
And never mind the fact that Texas is home to the most racially and religiously diverse areas in the country (Harris and Fort Bend Counties). The Texas GOP ignored all that separation of church and state stuff that’s only part of the U.S. Constitution, and brought a document affixed to the Christian church to government-run schools statewide.
The Defender wanted to hear from its readers and website visitors to get your thoughts on the matter. Here’s what some of you said:
Let the People be Heard
“It would be more productive if they put them up in their homes.” (Dr. Marlon Smith)
“LOL! It must be in a closet somewhere. I’ve yet to see it on my campus, and nobody speaks of this law.” (Lieza Baha)
“Should not be there, period.” (Claudell Cannady)
“‘They’ might not like it if kids actually follow it.” (Lauren Santerre)
“No reason for it to be there. You want rules posted, but not feed the kids, protect the kids or provide things parents, students, staff and kids need to be safe at school.” (Vannessa Wade)
“I’ve always felt that those parents who are really concerned with such things as prayer in school, the visual presence of the Ten Commandments, are those who take it upon themselves without imposing it upon others. I remember parents creating an Organization of Christian Students, Morning Prayer at the Flag Pole and Christian-themed book covers. I had respect for these parents. Those who constantly balked about ‘When they took prayer outta the schools…’ never bothered to put it back themselves. These are the parents who, 1) want to put their parental responsibilities on others and, 2) want to control the rights and freedoms of others.” (NJ Thomas)
“No! Not everyone is Christian. It does not let you put up other religious documents. Separation of church and state.” (Cheryl Hensley)
“Do they come with annotations about the clear meaning of each amendment, i.e., ‘Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vain’ or ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor?’” (Laolu Davies)
“In God we trust.” (Lee Nikki Chan)
“They teach the Constitution while simultaneously violating its laws. What is that doing to the values, ethics and morals of their future citizenship? (Dr. Imani Karega)
“Absurd. Violates the 1st Amendment and the free exercise of religion clause.” (Dr. Jawanza Clark)
“Separation of church and state. Period.” (PN Kells)
“It’s a distraction… Schools that are intentional about student outcomes aren’t concerned.” (Tori Moore-Cofield)
