Texas Senate wants Ten Commandments in classrooms

The Texas Senate passed a bill that would require public schools to post the Ten Commandments prominently in every classroom.

Voting strictly along party lines, the Republican-dominated state Senate approved SB 1515 by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, April 20. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

King told a committee hearing on the measure that displaying the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms acknowledges “the role that fundamental religious documents and principles had in American heritage and law.”

He called the legislation “a good, healthy step for Texas to bring back this tradition of recognizing America’s religious heritage.”

But Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, tweeted, “Forcing public schools to display the Ten Commandments violates religious liberty. The government should not be in the position of making religious decisions. As Baptists, we reject this effort because of our theological convictions and our commitment to the First Amendment.”

SB 1515 calls for “a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments” measuring at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall be displayed “in a conspicuous place” in every elementary and secondary public school classroom.

The bill even dictates the wording of the Ten Commandments—an abbreviated version of Exodus 20:2-17 from the Kings James Version of the Bible, essentially following the Protestant approach to the Decalogue. Jews, Catholics and Protestants number the commandments differently, and the way they are worded varies.

The Texas Senate also approved SB 1396 by Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, which would allow public and charter schools to provide students and employees a designated time to pray or read the Bible or other religious text.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a statement of support for both SB 1515 and SB 1396.

“Allowing the Ten Commandments and prayer back into our public schools is one step we can take to make sure that all Texans have the right to freely express their sincerely held religious beliefs,” Patrick said.

“I believe that you cannot change the culture of the country until you change the culture of mankind. Bringing the Ten Commandments and prayer back to our public schools will enable our students to become better Texans.”

‘School chaplains’ instead of counselors

Middleton also introduced a bill, SB 763, that would allow public schools to hire chaplains to serve in place of licensed counselors.

The bill—like its companion legislation, HB 3614 by Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant—stipulates a chaplain is “not required to be certified by the State Board for Educator Certification.”

The legislation does not offer a clear definition of “chaplain” or stipulate any required training, experience or ecclesiastical endorsement.

The National School Chaplain Association offers three levels of compliance to qualify as a school chaplain. At the first level, no training is required beyond whatever is mandated for ordination—only background clearance and certification by the association. The second level of compliance requires 48 hours of training, while the third level requires one year of training.

Jennifer Hawks, BJC associate general counsel, said the proposed school chaplain program in Texas is an “attack on everyone’s faith freedom.”

“Religious instruction for Texas students is best left to houses of worship, religious institutions and families. Allowing Texas schools to hire anyone under the label of ‘chaplain’ to perform the work of school counselors threatens religious liberty by substituting an undefined religious title for licensed counselor. The goal of public schools is not religious indoctrination,” said Hawks, a graduate of Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary.

Professional chaplains and counselors provide distinct services that should not be confused, she noted.

“Professional chaplains help individuals explore their own religious beliefs, especially in contexts such as military service, hospitals and prisons where one’s individual ability to engage in religious exercise may be limited. School counselors perform critical work helping students achieve academically, manage their emotions, learn interpersonal skills and plan for post-graduation options,” she said.

“We should not blur the differences in these important professions. Misusing the title of ‘chaplain’ to shortcut standards for public school counselors undermines religious freedom in public schools.

“If more counselors are needed, then the Texas legislature should give public schools the resources to hire more counselors.”