Latest news with #Sabbath
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Texas Lawmaker Mocks Politicians' Morals in Vote on Ten Commandments in Classrooms: 'Maybe Try Following Before Mandating'
A Texas lawmaker mocked the morals of his fellow legislators during a vote on displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms across the state. State Rep. James Talarico pressed his Republican colleagues on their bill requiring public school classrooms to have the holy text hung on their walls on Saturday, chiding how several of the rules were seemingly being broken or have been broken by lawmakers. The Democrat noted that they were holding their deliberations on Saturday and their vote on Sunday violated the Ten Commandments, as the Fourth Commandment calls on Christians to keep the Sabbath "holy" by not working. Saturday is the Sabbath for Jewish individuals, and Christians honor it on Sunday. @jamestalarico Republicans passed the bill on the Sabbath… breaking the 4th Commandment. Maybe they should try following the Ten Commandments before mandating them. SB 10 will force every public school teacher in the state of Texas to put up a poster of the Ten Commandments in their classroom. ♬ original sound - James Talarico "It's ironic isn't it?" state Rep. Candy Noble, a Republican sponsor of the bill, laughed. "You're saying that you'd rather tell people to follow the Ten Commandments than follow it yourself?" Talarico replied. Although Noble defended the displaying of the Ten Commandments as a way to honor "our historical, educational and judicial heritage," Talarico pressed further into other holy rules enshrined in the scripture. "The Ninth Commandment is 'Thou shalt not bear false witness.' Are you aware of any legislators who have lied about anything?" Talarico asked, prompting laughter from the gallery. "The Seventh Commandment is 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Do you think that members of the legislature should focus more on trying to follow the Ten Commandments rather than telling others to follow them?" he continued. Talarico shared a clip of the exchange to TikTok , where it has since garnered more than 9.6 million views. In the caption, he wrote, "Maybe [Republicans] should try following the Ten Commandments before mandating them." The bill was ultimately passed by a 82-46 vote in the Texas House Sunday with an amendment that the state will bear the costs of any future legal challenges to the law, KXAN reported. The bill now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. He previously expressed support for the bill in posts to social media. Originally published on Latin Times
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ten Commandments in Every Classroom: Texas Bill Nearing Law
This article was originally published in The Texas Tribune. Come September, every public school classroom in Texas could be required to display the Ten Commandments under a requirement that passed the Texas legislature Wednesday — part of a larger push in Texas and beyond to increase the role of religion in schools. Senate Bill 10 passed the Senate 28-3, despite a federal court ruling that a similar Louisiana law violated a constitutionally required separation of church and state. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The bill preliminarily passed the House 88-49 on Saturday — the Jewish Sabbath day. The Ten Commandments forbids work on that day, Rep. James Talarico noted in an effort to highlight legislative hypocrisy. The lower chamber's initial approval came after more than two hours of debate and despite last-ditch Democratic efforts to water down the law, including giving school districts the opportunity to vote on the policy, and adding codes of ethics from different faiths into the bill. On Sunday, the House passed the bill 82-46, but clarified in it that the state would be responsible for any legal fees if a school district were to be sued over the policy. The bill now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it. Sponsored by Sen. Phil King, a Republican from Weatherford, the bill requires every classroom to visibly display a poster sized at least 16 by 20 inches. The poster can't include any text other than the language laid out in the bill, and no other similar posters may be displayed. 'It is incumbent on all of us to follow God's law and I think we would all be better off if we did,' Rep. Candy Noble, a Republican from Lucas who is carrying the bill in the House, said during the floor debate Saturday. Supporters argue that the Ten Commandments and teachings of Christianity more generally are core to U.S. history, a message that has resurged in recent years as part of a broader national movement that considers the idea of church-state separation a myth. That movement fueled Texas' push to require schools display 'In God We Trust' signs if they were donated by a private foundation — signed into law in 2021. In 2024, the State Board of Education approved Bible-infused teaching materials. This session, lawmakers have advanced bills that allow a prayer or religious study period in school, and one that would require teachers to use the terms 'Anno Domini' (AD) — Latin for 'in the year of the Lord,' and 'Before Christ' (BC) when expressing dates. Proponents of King's bill also say making the Ten Commandments more prominent in schools will combat what movement leaders see as a generations-long moral decline. Texas is one of 16 states where lawmakers have pursued the Ten Commandments bills. Although the Supreme Court ruled against a similar Kentucky law in 1980, supporters in Texas and beyond find support in the current makeup of the court's justices and in the 2019 Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which found a football coach could lead prayers on the field after games. But Robert Tuttle, a professor of religion and law at George Washington University, said allowing a private individual to pray — as in the Kennedy case — is different from displaying the Ten Commandments in the classroom. Last June, a federal court struck down a Louisiana law requiring all public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments — the first state this decade to pass such a law. The state is appealing the decision. 'The constant presence of a sacred text in the room with them is effectively telling them, 'Hey, these are things you should read and obey,'' Tuttle said. 'That's not the state's job — to do religious instruction.' He also said that despite the Supreme Court trending in a more conservative direction, its decision Thursday that leaves in place a prohibition on the establishment of a religious charter school in Oklahoma could mean that the Court, for now, is not throwing out that principle. During Texas legislative committee hearings, opponents from free speech and civil rights groups — some of whom waited till 4 a.m. to testify — said the policy could send a message of exclusion to students of other faiths or those who don't practice a religion. They also said the commandments were irrelevant to classes like math, and could prompt questions that were not age-appropriate, such as what adultery means. The teachers union said it opposes the bill because members believe it violates the principle of separation of church and state. 'Public schools are not supposed to be Sunday school,' said spokesperson Clay Robison. Talarico — who is studying to become a minister — raised concerns in House floor discussions Wednesday that the First Amendment forbids imposing a state-sponsored religion. 'My faith means more to me than anything, but I don't believe the government should be forcing religion onto any American citizen, especially our children,' the Austin lawmaker told the Tribune. 'I'm a Christian who firmly believes in the separation of church and state.' This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Texas GOP Rep Accused of Breaking Commandment With Ten Commandments Vote
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A row broke out in the Texas legislature on Saturday when one politician accused another of religious hypocrisy over a plan to compel schools to display a poster of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Ahead of the final vote on Sunday, former teacher James Talarico, a Democratic state representative, pointed out that the bill's sponsor, Candy Noble, a Republican, had actually broken a commandment by compelling the House to work on the Sabbath. "Do you think that members of the legislature should focus more on trying to follow the Ten Commandments rather than telling others to follow them?" he quipped in the Texas House. Newsweek has emailed Noble and Talarico seeking comment. Why It Matters The issue of religion in schools has long been a contentious subject. As a deeply conservative state, Texas lawmakers have often attempted to embed Christian teachings into the educational system. In November last year, Texas approved a new curriculum that allows elementary schools to incorporate Bible teachings into some other subjects' lessons. This weekend's vote on a new mandate requiring classrooms to display a poster of the Ten Commandments is a further step along the same road. James Talarico pictured at an event on March 8, 2024, in Austin, Texas. James Talarico pictured at an event on March 8, 2024, in Austin, To Know Legal wrangling in Texas over the issue of the Ten Commandments in schools dates back to 2023, but Senate Bill 10 finally received preliminary approval when lawmakers voted 88-49 in its favor this weekend. Talarico, a Christian who is currently studying for a master's qualification at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, vehemently opposed the mandate, which was sponsored by a fellow Christian, Republican State Representative Noble. Noble, who represents the city of Lucas district, said she introduced the bill because the "way we treat others in our society come from the principles found in the Ten Commandments. In these days of courtroom mayhem, it's time to return to the truths, to the fabric of our educational system. Respect authority. Respect others. Don't steal. Tell the truth. Don't kill. Keep your word." But her most vocal opponent, Talarico, who represents Austin, has argued that religion in this context is coercive and exclusionary—and he claims it's unchristian too. Talarico's witty takedown of Noble, in which he forced her to admit that she was actively breaking one of the commandments she was so keen for others to follow, went viral after he posted footage of the encounter on his Instagram page. It has so far received more than 202,000 thousands likes. During the debate on Saturday, Talarico asked Noble: "What is the Fourth Commandment?" She had to consult first her own notes and then a neighbor's notes to reply: "Keep the Sabbath…" "Part of keeping the Sabbath holy is not working on the Sabbath?" Talarico asked, to which Noble agreed. He then asked her about the dates of the Jewish Sabbath and the Christian Sabbath and she correctly replied Saturday for Judaism, while Christians' holy day is Sunday, "in honor of the day that Jesus rose form the dead." He noted that they were working on Saturday and were due to vote on the bill on Sunday. "It's ironic, isn't it?" she said with a tight smile. "Would you be willing to postpone your bill so that we're not breaking the Ten Commandments by working on the Jewish or Christian Sabbath?" he asked. His pointed question drew some cheers and applause from elsewhere in the chamber. "I love that you said that!" she replied. "You're saying that you'd rather tell people to follow the Ten Commandments than follow it yourself?" he asked. "I would have rather have had this bill passed the other day when it was time," she said. But later added: "So again, this bill is about honoring our historical, educational, and judicial heritage with the displaying of the Ten Commandments." Talarico also suggested that legislators may also have broken other commandments, by lying, or by committing adultery. "Do you think that members of the legislature should focus more on trying to follow the Ten Commandments rather than telling others to follow them?" Talarico asked Noble on Saturday. "I am, I am, um, you know, it is incumbent on all of us to follow God's law," she replied. It was not the first time the pair have clashed on the issue. Footage from the chamber posted on his Instagram page on January 19 last year, showed him saying to Noble: "I know you're a devout Christian, as am I. But this bill to me is not only unconstitutional, it's not only un-American, I think it is also deeply unchristian. And I say that because I believe this bill is idolatrous, I believe it is exclusionary, and I believe it is are diametrically opposed to the teachings of Jesus... "Instead of bringing a bill that will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, we're instead mandating that people put up a poster." He added that the Bible teaches "love your neighbor" and suggested the mandate was not very loving to students of other religions, or those with none, who were also sitting in Texas classrooms. That exchange also went viral and has now gained more than 5 million views on X (formerly Twitter). In any case, despite their long-running dispute, ultimately other lawmakers sided with Noble and the bill was passed at the weekend. What People Are Saying Several people commented on Talarico's video to declare their support for his attempt to block the policy. An Instagram user with the handle joyshel5, who didn't provide a profile but whose account features scripture and family photos, wrote: "Keep religion out of public school!" Another Instagram user, a digital content creator with the handle luvalution, also voiced support for Talarico, writing: "Thank you James for being progressive for us all in Texas. Let's get this overturned." Another, mayafash_art, a stylist whose page features anti-Trump memes, asked: "Isn't this unconstitutional? Separation of church and state?" But elsewhere, other online users backed Noble's cause. An X user by the name of Tammi Daniels, whose profile describes herself as a "retired nurse, wife, mother, Christian," supported the move to display the commandments in schools. "Good!" she wrote. "We had them up in Texas classrooms during the 70s. We even said the Pledge, a silent prayer and a morning devotional every morning. They should have never been taken out." While another X user under the handle Cosmo Kramer, who did not provide a profile, suggested: "Our whole country should follow this." An X user with the account name "Nelle," who does not provide a bio, also supported the move, saying: "Children need a good moral compass." What Happens Next Senate Bill 10 will now progress back to the Senate for concurrence before heading to the desk of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas House advances bill to require Ten Commandments in every classroom, after vote on the Sabbath
AUSTIN (Nexstar) – A Republican-backed bill to require public schools to place the Ten Commandments in every classroom won preliminary approval Saturday. The vote was 88-49. The outcome sets the stage for the vote on final approval for Senate Bill 10 to happen Sunday. State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, who is currently studying to become a minister, pointed out that having legislators vote on the bill over the weekend amounted to breaking one of the commandments. The Fourth Commandment states 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.' Talarico, in an exchange with bill sponsor State Rep. Candy Noble, R-Lucas, noted that part of keeping the Sabbath holy is not working on the Sabbath. Noble agreed with that concept. 'The Ten Commandments come from Judaism. What day is the Jewish Sabbath?' Talarico asked. 'It is on Saturday,' Noble answered 'And what day is it today?' Talarico asked. 'It is Saturday,' Noble said. 'Here we are.' Talarico played a key role in pushing the vote on the legislation to the weekend. When SB 10 first reached the House floor on Wednesday, he called a point of order, a procedural move to block the bill. He eventually withdrew the point of order, but Noble motioned to send the bill back to committee, delaying when the bill could be considered on the floor. When Talarico asked if Noble would be willing to postpone the vote until Monday, she declined, pointing out that the vote would have already happened if Talarico had not blocked the vote earlier in the week. The House faces a Tuesday deadline to approve Senate bills, with the end of the legislative session on June 2. The Republican-backed bill would require every public classroom display a poster or framed copy of the Christian doctrine that is at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall. No school would be exempt from this bill, although the bill does not appear to have any enforcement on schools that do not comply. Noble reiterated ideas that she brought up in Wednesday's debate, saying that the Ten Commandments are foundational to the American educational and judicial systems, arguing the commandments were cited favorably in more than 500 court cases. 'Nothing is more deep rooted in the fabric of our American tradition of education than the Ten Commandments. The very way we treat others as a society come from the principles found in the Ten Commandments,' Noble said during the bill layout Saturday on the House floor. During Wednesday's debate, opponents raised concern that requiring the Ten Commandments in the classroom amounts to religious indoctrination. Some of the debate Saturday included Democrats trying to add amendments to include representation for other faiths. Those amendments all failed to be adopted. The vote on third and final reading on SB 10 would likely be scheduled for Sunday, a point that Talarico and Noble discussed in their exchange before Saturday's vote. 'Christian Sabbath is what day?' Talarico asked. 'Sunday, in honor of the day that Jesus rose from the dead,' Noble said. 'And we're scheduled to give this bill a final vote on what day of the week?' Talarico asked. 'It's ironic, isn't it?' Noble responded. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas will require public school classrooms to display Ten Commandments under bill nearing passage
Come September, every public school classroom in Texas could be required to display the Ten Commandments under a requirement that passed a key vote in the Texas legislature Saturday — part of a larger push in Texas and beyond to increase the role of religion in schools. Senate Bill 10 moved forward despite a federal court ruling that a similar Louisiana law violated a constitutionally required separation of church and state. The bill passed the House on second reading 88-49 — on the Jewish Sabbath day, which the Ten Commandments forbids, as Rep. James Talarico said in an effort to highlight legislative hypocrisy. The lower chamber's approval came after more than two hours of debate and despite last-ditch Democratic efforts to water down the law, including giving school districts the opportunity to vote on the policy, and adding codes of ethics from different faiths into the bill. [Is it law yet? See how far some of the most consequential bills have made it in the 2025 Texas Legislature] After a final vote that could happen as early as Sunday, the bill heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it. The bill passed the state Senate 20-11 in March. Sponsored by Sen. Phil King, a Republican from Weatherford, the bill requires every classroom to visibly display a poster sized at least 16 by 20 inches. The poster can't include any text other than the language laid out in the bill, and no other similar posters may be displayed. 'It is incumbent on all of us to follow God's law and I think we would all be better off if we did,' Rep. Candy Noble, a Republican from Lucas who is carrying the bill in the House, said during the floor debate Saturday. Supporters argue that the Ten Commandments and teachings of Christianity more generally are core to U.S. history, a message that has resurged in recent years as part of a broader national movement that considers the idea of church-state separation a myth. That movement fueled Texas' push to require schools display 'In God We Trust' signs if they were donated by a private foundation — signed into law in 2021. In 2024, the State Board of Education approved Bible-infused teaching materials. This session, lawmakers have advanced bills that allow a prayer or religious study period in school, and one that would require teachers to use the terms 'Anno Domini' (AD) — Latin for 'in the year of the Lord,' and 'Before Christ' (BC) when expressing dates. Proponents of King's bill also say making the Ten Commandments more prominent in schools will combat what movement leaders see as a generations-long moral decline. Texas is one of 16 states where lawmakers have pursued the Ten Commandments bills. Although the Supreme Court ruled against a similar Kentucky law in 1980, supporters in Texas and beyond find support in the current makeup of the court's justices and in the 2019 Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which found a football coach could lead prayers on the field after games. But Robert Tuttle, a professor of religion and law at George Washington University, said allowing a private individual to pray — as in the Kennedy case — is different from displaying the Ten Commandments in the classroom. Last June, a federal court struck down a Louisiana law requiring all public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments — the first state this decade to pass such a law. The state is appealing the decision. 'The constant presence of a sacred text in the room with them is effectively telling them, 'Hey, these are things you should read and obey,'' Tuttle said. 'That's not the state's job — to do religious instruction.' He also said that despite the Supreme Court trending in a more conservative direction, its decision Thursday that leaves in place a prohibition on the establishment of a religious charter school in Oklahoma could mean that the Court, for now, is not throwing out that principle. During Texas legislative committee hearings, opponents from free speech and civil rights groups — some of whom waited till 4 a.m. to testify — said the policy could send a message of exclusion to students of other faiths or those who don't practice a religion. They also said the commandments were irrelevant to classes like math, and could prompt questions that were not age-appropriate, such as what adultery means. The teachers union said it opposes the bill because members believe it violates the principle of separation of church and state. 'Public schools are not supposed to be Sunday school,' said spokesperson Clay Robison. Democratic Rep. James Talarico — who is studying to become a minister — raised concerns in House floor discussions Wednesday that the First Amendment forbids imposing a state-sponsored religion. 'My faith means more to me than anything, but I don't believe the government should be forcing religion onto any American citizen, especially our children,' the Austin lawmaker told the Tribune. 'I'm a Christian who firmly believes in the separation of church and state.' First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
