### Texas Takes a Bold Step: Mandating Ten Commandments in Classrooms Texas has officially become the largest state in the U.S. to require the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms. Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law, which is set to take effect on September 1, 2025. This move is seen as a significant shift towards integrating religious elements into public education, a decision that has sparked considerable debate regarding its constitutionality and implications for the separation of church and state. Critics argue that this law may violate constitutional principles, while supporters view it as a step towards restoring religious values in schools [https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/21/us/texas-governor-ten-commandments][https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/06/21/gov-abbott-signs-ten-commandments-bill-mandating-displays-in-texas-classrooms]. ### Overview of the New Law and Its Implications 1. **Legislative Background**: The law was signed by Governor Abbott and is part of a broader trend among some lawmakers to reintroduce religious elements into public education. 2. **Implementation Timeline**: The law will take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, giving schools time to prepare for compliance. 3. **Legal Challenges Anticipated**: Legal experts predict that the law will face challenges in court, as opponents argue it infringes on the separation of church and state, a principle upheld by the U.S. Constitution. 4. **Public Reaction**: The law has garnered mixed reactions, with supporters claiming it is a victory for religious expression, while critics view it as a dangerous precedent that could lead to further religious entanglement in public institutions [https://www.westernjournal.com/texas-delivers-spectacular-blow-woke-public-school-teachers-slowly-bringing-god-back-america][https://www.fox8live.com/2025/06/22/new-law-will-require-ten-commandments-be-posted-every-public-school-classroom-texas]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Statewide Impact**: Texas is now the largest state to enact such a law, potentially influencing other states to follow suit. - **Legal Precedents**: Previous court rulings have often struck down similar laws, citing the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another. - **Public Opinion**: Surveys indicate a divided public opinion on the issue, with some supporting the integration of religious teachings in schools and others firmly opposing it [https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas/articles/2025-06-21/new-texas-law-will-require-ten-commandments-to-be-posted-in-every-public-school-classroom][https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3466704-texas-mandates-ten-commandments-in-classrooms]. ### Conclusion: A Controversial Step Forward In summary, Texas's new law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms represents a significant and controversial shift in educational policy. 1. **Legislative Action**: The law, signed by Governor Abbott, is set to take effect in September 2025. 2. **Anticipated Legal Battles**: Legal challenges are expected, questioning the constitutionality of the law. 3. **Public Division**: The law has sparked a polarized response from the public, reflecting broader national debates about the role of religion in public education. As Texas moves forward with this mandate, the implications for public education and the ongoing discourse about church-state separation will be closely monitored [https://www.wtop.com/national/2025/06/new-texas-law-will-require-ten-commandments-to-be-posted-in-every-public-school-classroom][https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/21/texas-ten-commandments-law/].