Texas has ignited a fresh debate over the role of religion in public education. A recent decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals permits the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, a move celebrated by conservatives but contested by civil liberties groups.
This ruling could set the stage for a U.S. Supreme Court showdown. Similar laws in Arkansas and Louisiana have also encountered legal challenges. Meanwhile, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey enacted a comparable statute recently.
The appeals court found that the Texas law does not breach the First Amendment, which safeguards religious freedom and bars governmental establishment of religion.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, hailed the ruling as “a major victory for Texas and our moral values.” He emphasized, “The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and it’s important that students learn from them every single day.”
Andrew Mahaleris, speaking for Texas Governor Greg Abbott, echoed this sentiment, describing the law as a “commonsense” measure aligned with the state’s traditions.
Opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed their dismay. They argued that the ruling undermines First Amendment principles, stating: “The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when and if to provide their children with religious instruction. This decision tramples those rights.”
The ruling overturns a prior district court decision that had prevented school districts from displaying the commandments. According to the decision, the law neither dictates religious beliefs to churches, synagogues, or mosques, nor mandates that students recite or affirm the Commandments.
The Texas law, which took effect on September 1, is the most extensive attempt in the country to install the Ten Commandments in public schools. Though initially blocked by federal judges, the commandments have been displayed in numerous classrooms as the school year commenced.
The appeals court’s decision follows arguments heard in January concerning both Texas and Louisiana’s cases. In February, the court lifted a block on Louisiana’s law mandating classroom displays of the Commandments.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill responded positively on social media, stating: “Our law clearly was always constitutional, and I am grateful that the Fifth Circuit has now definitively agreed with us.”
Arkansas, too, has passed a similar law, though it was recently obstructed by a federal judge in response to a lawsuit.
