250 years ago, the United States of America was founded as a Christian nation on a core foundation of freedom of speech, expression, and religion. It is this heritage that Governor Abbott has defended for over twenty years. Two decades ago, on June 27, 2005, Governor Abbott argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to keep the iconic Ten Commandments monument on the Texas Capitol grounds.
The challenge came from an Austin resident, who argued that the monument violated the Establishment Clause, also known as the separation of church and state. However, the High Court did not agree with his claim. They instead sided with then-Attorney General Abbott’s reasoning that the Ten Commandments, while religious in origin, can also represent a secular and historical message.
There are still attempts by the government to ignore the historical role of religion in American life or to remove religious symbols from the public sphere today. But Texans can rest assured — the Governor has stated that he “will always defend the historical connection between the Ten Commandments and their influence on the history of Texas.” He acknowledges that our civilization was built and fought for by men and women who believed in merit and equality under the law.
America’s founders knew that these ideals were outlined in their nascent form in the Ten Commandments of the Bible. Its provisions include a ban on murder, adultery, stealing, false accusations, and coveting. No one is exempt from this law, no matter their sex or status.
Governor Abbott is bringing this moral clarity back to the classroom. By signing into law SB 10, every public-school classroom in Texas must display the Ten Commandments. In addition, last session, he continued to preserve religious freedom by signing SB 11, which will allow students and teachers to pray and read religious texts in school.
Separation of church and state does not mean what those on the left wish it would mean – that any mention of our nation’s Christian heritage in educational settings is verboten, while discussion of DEI and LGBT issues is allowed free reign. Governor Abbott affirms that freedom of religion does in fact mean freedom, in our classrooms as well as in the public square.