The GOP's Christian Nationalism Targets Classroom Education.

Texas Republicans' Ten Commandments envy is ridiculous

Texas should have been the first state to put the 10 Commandments back in schools," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a social media post. Texas Republicans are desperate to push their religious agenda, but their actions show they don't live by these rules.

The Ten Commandments bill, which passed in Louisiana, is really just an excuse for conservative lawmakers to pick a fight over religious displays in schools. Texas had its chance to pass similar legislation, but it stalled in the House.

It's all just a show. The Texas Capitol has a 6-foot-tall granite slab with the Ten Commandments on it, but has the Texas GOP ever actually followed these rules?

"Thou shalt not have other gods before me," the slab says. But the GOP treats guns as divine instruments, untouchable by regulation, even as Texans' lives are shattered by shootings.

"Thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain." Don't tout Christian values for political gain while dismissing those same values when governing. The Texas GOP refuses to expand Medicaid and provides abysmal caregiver pay, failing to care for the poor and vulnerable.

"Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy." Texas, with its abysmal environmental record, is certainly not honoring the commandment to protect God's creation.

"Honor thy father and mother." The GOP fails new parents by skimping on child care funding and providing inadequate medical care.

"Thou shalt not kill." Texas leads the nation in executions, carrying out over a third of all US executions since 1977.

"Thou shalt not commit adultery." The Austin audience chuckled at Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial when attorney Tony Buzbee brought up affairs, saying, "If we impeached everybody here in Austin that had had an affair, we'd be impeaching for the next 100 years, wouldn’t we?”

"Thou shalt not steal." The gerrymandering of voting districts by the Texas Legislature robs voters of their political power to keep the GOP in control.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness." The lies Republican leaders tell about migrants at the border, calling them an "invasion," denigrate vulnerable people for political gain.

"Thou shalt not covet." Texas lawmakers constantly overreach, trying to take policy and spending decisions away from local communities and elected officials.

Dan Patrick and the Texas GOP's push for the Ten Commandments in schools is just a ploy to promote their religious agenda. It has nothing to do with teaching children about history or American law. It's a distraction from the fact that they've failed to live by these commandments themselves.

Columnist's bio: "Share your opinions with her via email at bgrumet@statesman.com. Find her previous work at statesman.com/opinion/columns."