Texas lawmakers advance bill to force schools to display Ten Commandments

State senators advance bill for consideration by house in what critics say is basic violation of separation of church and state

Every classroom in Texas could be made to display the Ten Commandments prominently, after lawmakers advanced a proposal to push more religion into schools.

A parallel bill also approved by the Republican-controlled Texas senate on Thursday would require educational establishments to set aside time every day for students and employees to read the Bible or other religious manuscripts, or to pray.