Latest news with #churchandstate
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Bill requiring Ten Commandments to be displayed in Texas public school classrooms advances in Texas Legislature
The Ten Commandments will have to be shown in each public school classroom in Texas under a new bill that is making its way to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Ten Commandments AP On Monday, the Texas House gave final passage to Senate Bill 10, changing from the version previously passed by the Senate. Under the House amendment, the state, not school districts, will be responsible for covering legal defense costs if a district is sued over the law. CBS News Texas reached out to the office of Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, the bill's author, to ask whether he will accept the change or if both chambers will need to negotiate further. Under the legislation, schools may accept donated posters or use district funds to comply. The law is set to take effect at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. Rep. Candy Noble, R-Lucas, who carried the bill in the House, said, "Nothing is more deep-rooted in the fabric of our American tradition of education than the Ten Commandments. The way we treat others as a society comes from the principles found in the Ten Commandments." Opponents, including Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, argue the bill violates the separation of church and state. "I just think if I were giving a speech, I would say it just seems like we're trampling over the freedom of religion by passing your bill," Goodwin said. Also headed to Gov. Abbott's desk is Senate Bill 835, which passed unanimously in the House on Monday morning. The bill bans the use of non-disclosure agreements in civil settlements involving sexual assault victims. Among its supporters is Cindy Clemishire, who has accused former Gateway Church Senior Pastor Robert Morris of sexually abusing her decades ago. The Texas Senate also approved the bill unanimously earlier this month. Lawmakers also approved a bill on Sunday that would ban THC. The legislation now heads to the governor, and unless he vetoes it, the measure would effectively eliminate the $8 billion hemp industry in Texas. Watch "Eye on Politics" at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on CBS News Texas, on air and streaming. Follow Jack on X: @cbs11jackFollow Jack on X: @cbs11jack
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Texas Republicans make BIBLICAL mistake as they order teachers to post Ten Commandments in classrooms
Texas lawmakers are on the verge of requiring all public schools in the Republican state to display the Ten Commandments. While the constitutionality of the bill will certainly be challenged in court for separation of church and state, SB 10 is expected to be sign into law by the governor. While lawmakers voted on the measure over the weekend, one Democratic state representative grilled Rep. Candy Noble - the bill's sponsor - over what his perceived to be hypocrisy in a viral video. 'What is the fourth commandment,' Democrat James Talarico asked his Republican colleague. 'Keep the sabbath,' Noble responded after fumbling through paperwork to look the commandment. 'Part of keeping the Sabbath holy is not working on the Sabbath,' Talarico went on. 'Yeah, yeah, that is, that the Republican admitted awkwardly. 'What day is the Jewish sabbath,' the Democrat asked. 'It is on Saturday,' she answered sheepishly. 'And what day is it today,' the Democrat pressed. 'It is Saturday. Here we are,' Noble added. Talarico pointed out that Lone Star State politicos were expected to work on the Christian Sabbath, Sunday, in order to finalize the bill. 'Would you be willing to postpone your bill so that we're not breaking the Ten Commandments,' Talarico asked to laughter from others in the room. 'You're saying that you'd rather tell people to follow the Ten Commandments than follow it yourself.' Once it becomes law, as expected, all state-funded schools will be forced to display the Ten Commandments after September 1. Texas wants the King James version, the same as the Ten Commandments statue on the ground of the State Capitol in Austin. 'This monument and the words on it have already been approved and upheld by the Supreme Court in a 2005 case, so the wording won't need to be subject to a new court case objection,' Noble explained Saturday. However, Talarico, a rising voice of opposition against the state's GOP majority, did not give up an opportunity in the spotlight to try to embarrass his political opponents. 'The ninth commandment is "Thou shalt not bear false witness." Are you aware of any legislators who have lied about anything,' he asked a flustered Noble. 'Well there might be one coming up in a minute if you keep talking,' she shot back. '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 pointed out.
Washington Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Texas is closer to putting the Ten Commandments in classrooms after a key vote
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas would require all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments under a Republican proposal that cleared a major vote Saturday and would make the state the nation's largest to impose such a mandate. If passed as expected, the measure is likely to draw a legal challenge from critics who consider it a constitutional violation of the separation of church and state .
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
‘Personal decision': Unusual detail in Anthony Albanese's swearing-in sparks debate
Anthony Albanese has sparked debate after taking a secular affirmation rather than swearing on the Bible when he was sworn in for his second term as prime minister earlier this week. During the official swearing-in ceremony at Government House on Tuesday, Mr Albanese stood in front of the Governor-General Sam Mostyn to make his oath. However, many noticed he did not swear on the Bible, which is considered the traditional method in Australia, and instead opted to perform a secular affirmation despite his devout Catholic faith. Mr Albanese has often spoken publicly about his Catholic faith, and it became a feature of the election campaign when Pope Francis died. He also frequently attended church services during Easter throughout the election campaign and spoke of how his faith during his upbringing helped inspire principles of compassion and kindness, especially towards those who are vulnerable. However, speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald's Inside Politics podcast, Mr Albanese said it was important for him to 'separate church and state' during his swearing-in in an effort to unite the country. 'I've always chosen to do an affirmation because I think that, as the Australian prime minister, I represent people of every faith and no faith,' he said of his decision. 'That's a personal decision.' This is not Mr Albanese's first secular swearing-in ceremony. He also choose to forgo the Bible when being sworn in as prime minister in 2022. However, the move sparked controversy online, with some arguing he was stepping away from his faith after leaning on it heavily during the election campaign. 'Now legally it makes no difference, but politically and culturally there are questions being asked, particularly since Anthony Albanese made a pretty big deal of his Catholic faith prior to the election,' Sky News host James Macphersons said. 'And particularly how proud his mother would be that he would be the first Australian prime minister to attend the inauguration of a pope.' However, others praised the decision and argued a 'secular country is what we should be aiming for'. '(The) Government represents the people,' a person wrote, with another labelling Mr Albanese as a 'man of integrity'.
