{"id":1096,"date":"2025-08-25T12:45:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T17:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ashleybeanthornton.com\/?p=1096"},"modified":"2025-12-04T10:42:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T16:42:13","slug":"a-response-to-a-dear-friends-comment-about-the-texas-10-commandments-in-the-classroom-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ashleybeanthornton.com\/es\/a-response-to-a-dear-friends-comment-about-the-texas-10-commandments-in-the-classroom-law\/","title":{"rendered":"A response to a Dear Friend\u2019s comment about the Texas 10 Commandments in the Classroom Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A response to a dear friend's Comment<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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About the Texas 10 Commandments in the Classroom LAW<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This post originally appeared on Dead Dillo<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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I frequently post about how much I do not like the Texas Law that requires the 10 Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

My dear friend, Robert, disagrees with me about this.\u00a0 Here is a recent comment of his regarding the conversation:\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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I\u2019m for this one [10 Commandments in the Classroom] because of the assumed\/desired outcome. We hope that it\u2019s one way to begin to put lessons of morality back into our classrooms. One thing I think would benefit your campaign and effort is to not only oppose something you disagree with but maybe to add a petition for an alternative that would meet or exceed the same objective. I would listen to your argument because I know your heart and intention would be in line with the same objective. <\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s about benefiting the next generation and leaving this place better than we found it.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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I think this is a beautiful comment and a wonderful example of how we should be conducting our political conversations.\u00a0 Here is my response\u2026too long for the Facebook feed\u2026\u00a0 \u2014 ABT\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
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Thank you friend! That is a terrific idea!\u00a0 If the concern is that our kids are growing up without the moral guidance they need, there are definitely some things that I think are a better option than 10 Commandments in the classroom, and I\u2019ll share them below.<\/p>
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First, for context, Texas Education Code already requires \u201cCharacter Development\u201d be taught in Public Schools:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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From Texas Education Code \u00a7 29.906:<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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(a)<\/strong> The State Board of Education shall integrate positive character traits and personal skills into the essential knowledge and skills adopted for kindergarten through grade 12, as appropriate.
(b)<\/strong> The State Board of Education must include the following positive character traits and personal skills: \u2026 (listing courage; trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality, and loyalty; integrity; respect and courtesy; responsibility \u2026 fairness \u2026 caring \u2026 good citizenship \u2026 school pride; and gratitude).
(c)<\/strong> Each school district and open-enrollment charter school must adopt a character education program that includes the positive character traits and personal skills listed in Subsection\u202f(b). In developing or selecting a character education program under this section, a school district shall consult with a committee \u2026 parents of district students; educators; and other members of the community \u2026
(d)<\/strong> This section does not require or authorize proselytizing or indoctrinating concerning any specific religious or political belief.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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I am a little skeptical about how useful it is, since I think it tends to be a bit of a \u201ccanned curriculum,\u201d but it\u2019s almost certainly more useful than a poster on the wall.<\/p>
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I believe most moral development is passed down to children from a caring adult, through direct instruction sometimes, but most importantly through being a good role model and by treating the child in the way we want the child to treat others.\u00a0 This hopefully happens at home, but it can also happen at church, through organizations like scouts or sports teams, and of course, from teachers.<\/p>
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I believe almost all teachers are good role models. There are some exceptions of course \u2013 just like there are a few bad preachers or scout leaders or whatever \u2013 but most teachers are great role models who take care to teach morals and values along with the other lessons.<\/p>
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All that to say, I think if the concern is passing on morals, whatever we can do to help teachers have the time and presence of mind be able to focus on the individual kids and how they are doing is the most helpful thing we can do.<\/p>
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To me that means enough funding to have smaller class sizes, and to protect teachers time \u2013 for example by getting rid of unneeded paperwork.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0In addition to teachers, the rest of the school staff is important: counselors to help kids figure out how to manage their emotions and to deal with issues at home when needed, security people who are trained specifically in how to work compassionately with kids, para-professionals who have the training they need to respond in a productive way when kids are behaving badly or struggling.\u00a0\u00a0I am no expert, but to me the \u201cmagic element\u201d in passing on good morals is time with a caring adult who is a good role model.\u00a0 That\u2019s why it is particularly frustrating to me when some of the same people who so zealously campaign for the poster for the 10 Commandments drag their feet when it comes to funding our schools appropriately.<\/p>
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I don\u2019t think religion is the only way to pass on good morals.\u00a0 It is one way, and a very important way for some of us.\u00a0 I certainly appreciate the people who raised me at all the different churches I attended, and I would certainly encourage any church or faith-based organization to reach out and try to provide that kind of positive environment to as many kids as possible.<\/p>
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I don\u2019t believe a poster of the 10 Commandments in public school is a good step to help our kids develop good morals.\u00a0 I believe freedom of religion is important for honest pursuit of faith and for freedom. I think having our government \u201ctake sides\u201d when it comes to religion is a greater risk to our morality than any gains we would get in moral improvement by having a poster of the 10 Commandments on the wall.<\/p>\n
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I believe the best thing to do would be to fund our schools properly so that each child can get the attention and guidance he\/she needs from the teachers, counselors and other adults at school.\u00a0 \u00a0I believe as individuals we can volunteer to help with tutoring and coaching teams and mentoring and working with student groups \u2014 and yes, by reaching out from our churches and faith based organizations to provide a positive environment and positive role models for kids.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore Posts on Managing our Freedoms Wisely<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tA response to a Dear Friend\u2019s comment about the Texas 10 Commandments in the Classroom Law\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tagosto 25, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s my \u201cWhy?\u201d Part 2: What\u2019s my problem with the 10 Commandments?\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tjulio 20, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSigns of the times…\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tabril 30, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tA tale of two posters…\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tabril 6, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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