1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Preserving religious freedom and upholding the separation of church and state are fundamental principles that should be safeguarded in our public education system. The proposed bills to allow in-school prayer time (SB 11) and mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms (SB 10) raise significant constitutional concerns. These measures risk infringing upon the rights of students and families by imposing government-sponsored religion, regardless of their personal beliefs. While proponents argue these bills aim to protect religious liberties, public schools should be inclusive environments that respect the diverse faiths and beliefs of all students. Displaying religious texts like the Ten Commandments or facilitating group prayer could make non-adherent students feel alienated or pressured to participate against their convictions. This undermines the freedom of conscience guaranteed by the Establishment Clause. Furthermore, previous Supreme Court rulings, such as Engel v. Vitale and Stone v. Graham, have struck down similar attempts to integrate prayer and religious displays in public schools, deeming them unconstitutional violations of the separation of church and state. Enacting these bills could invite costly legal challenges and divert resources from more pressing educational needs. Public education should focus on providing a well-rounded, secular education that fosters critical thinking and respect for individual beliefs. Religious instruction and observances are best left to families, houses of worship, and private institutions. Imposing specific religious practices or doctrine on a captive audience of students risks marginalizing those of different or no faith backgrounds. Upholding true religious freedom means ensuring public schools remain neutral regarding religion, neither promoting nor disparaging any particular belief system. This neutrality allows students of all faiths and none to learn and thrive without feeling coerced or ostracized due to their religious affiliations or lack thereof.