The Texas Senate passed a bill that would allow public school leaders to impose a mandatory period of praying and reading religious texts on students. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Mayes Middleton, both Republicans, supported the bill as a way to expand religious liberties in public schools. The bill, known as SB 11, would not make religious activities compulsory but would provide a space for free expression of religion. Parents would need to sign a consent form for their children to participate, and would waive their right to sue the district under the First Amendment’s establishment clause. The Senate also debated requiring public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments, with Sen. Phil King stating the document has had a significant impact on moral and legal codes in Western civilization.
However, Democratic senators raised concerns about non-Christian students feeling coerced or bullied into participating in religious activities. They introduced amendments to make changes to the Ten Commandments bill, but all were voted down by Republicans. The bill must pass the Senate on third reading before being sent to the House for further consideration. King defended the importance of the Ten Commandments in American culture and referenced a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for such laws. Despite the debate and opposition from Democrats, the bill for mandatory religious activities in public schools is moving forward in Texas.
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