Texas lawmakers clash over bringing Ten Commandments into classrooms: ‘fuel’ for culture war

According to the Washington Post, lawmakers in the Texas Capitol are increasingly considering pro-Christian bills as part of a “reinvigorated national effort” to bring religion back into public life.

Many Democrats in Texas have opposed the bills. One included a proposal that would have required the Ten Commandments to be posted in every classroom across the state. That bill fell through Tuesday in the Texas state legislature after the voting deadline expired.

Congressman Gene Wu, a Democrat, argued that such measures are hypocritical.

“We are constantly stepping on the teeth of the poor, telling the sick to just die and never caring for the prisoners. Hypocrisy is not a defect, it is a trait.”

Texas takes steps to ban diversity bureaus at public universities: ‘strongest opposition to Woke guidelines’

Another Texas Democratic representative, Erin Zwiener, said other proposals, such as allowing chaplains to work alongside school counselors in schools, would “fuel” the culture war in local school districts if a public vote were allowed.

Texas ACLU’s David Donatti warned that conservatives were “spurred on by the perception that the courts were allowing this right-wing Christian nationalism to take root and that the doors are now wide open.”

Republicans have argued that allowing clergy to mentor students could provide important support for troubled children.

“We must give schools all the tools; with everything we’re going through, mental health issues and other crises, this is just another tool,” Republican State Representative Cole Hefner said.

KEN PAXTON, Texas AG, initiates investigation into Texas children’s hospital for “gender transition” procedures

President Joe Biden’s Department of Education has updated its guidance on prayer and other religious expressions in public schools after Texas proposed legislation on student chaplains and the Ten Commandments.

“Teachers, school administrators and other school employees must not encourage or discourage private prayer or other religious activities,” the Department of Education writes in its new guidelines. Also, the US Constitution adds that school employees may hold private prayers during the workday.

However, the Department of Education warned that school staff “must not coerce, coerce, persuade or encourage students to participate in the staff member’s prayer or other religious activities.” The guidance goes on to say that schools can take “reasonable steps” to ensure students are not pressured or encouraged to attend their teachers’ or coaches’ private prayers.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News’ Aaron Kliegman contributed to this report.