Texas clears Ten Commandments display in classrooms after appeals court ruling

Split federal decision says law does not breach First Amendment; civil rights groups plan Supreme Court appeal

Texas can require public schools to display a copy of the Ten Commandments in classrooms after a federal appeals court ruled the measure does not violate the First Amendment.

The decision, passed by a narrow 9–8 vote, upholds the controversial law signed last year by Governor Greg Abbott, which had previously been blocked in much of the state by lower court rulings.

In its opinion, the court stated that the law does not infringe on parents’ rights to direct their children’s religious education. Judges argued that “students are not catechized on the Commandments, nor are they instructed to follow them, and teachers are not required to convert students who ask questions about the displayed text or to challenge them if they disagree.”

Organizations representing 15 Texas families who challenged the law—including the American Civil Liberties Union—said they were “extremely disappointed” with the ruling. They argue it contradicts the First Amendment principles guaranteeing the separation of church and state and have already announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The law also provides detailed instructions on how the Ten Commandments must be displayed, including placement in classrooms so the text is visible from any position and specific requirements for poster size.

The appeals court ruling overturns earlier decisions by two federal judges who had found the law unconstitutional, blocking its implementation in 24 Texas school districts.

Following the decision, religious and conservative organizations quickly began fundraising efforts to distribute Ten Commandments posters across schools in the state.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the ruling “a major victory for Texas and our moral values.”

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