Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is advocating for schools in Texas “to implement designated time for prayer and scripture reading,” as stated in a press release dated September 2.
This announcement comes after the implementation of Senate Bill 11 in Texas on September 1, which permits “school boards to create policies allowing time for voluntary prayer and scripture or other religious text readings,” according to the release.
The bill directs the Attorney General’s office to “defend any school district or charter school that adopts such a policy,” according to the release.
Paxton is encouraging schools to commence the “legal process” of bringing prayer to the classroom.
“In Texas classrooms, we want the Word of God opened, the Ten Commandments displayed, and prayers lifted up,” Paxton said in a post on X.
Paxton is contesting Sen. John Cornyn in the forthcoming Texas Senate primary. The pair has been actively engaging in disputes on social media as anticipation grows for the March primaries.
“There you go again. Ten Commandments for thee, but not for me, eh, Ken?” Cornyn said in response to Paxton, in a post on X.
As of now, Cornyn is among three incumbent Republican senators seeking reelection without a presidential endorsement, as reported by the Texas Tribune.
Paxton’s announcement follows a broader push by Texas Republicans to integrate religion into public schools.
In May, Texas Senate Bill 10 was passed, mandating that schools display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. This legislation is currently facing legal challenges from families of students across the state.
