5th Circuit Upholds Texas Law Forcing Ten Commandments Into Classrooms
A federal appeals court has ruled Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, reopening a long-running national fight over religion in education.
The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturns earlier rulings that blocked the law, handing a legal win to state officials while setting up a broader constitutional clash.
According to Reuters and the Associated Press, the court found Texas Senate Bill 10 does not violate the First Amendment, allowing mandatory displays to move forward statewide. The law requires a visible poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom.
The ruling immediately drew opposition from civil liberties groups and multifaith families, who argue the mandate pressures students and conflicts with established precedent. A similar law was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1980, a point raised by dissenting judges in the case.
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“This decision tramples those rights,” a coalition of plaintiffs represented by the ACLU said in a statement.
The outcome adds to a growing pattern across multiple states, including Louisiana, where courts have also allowed similar laws to proceed while legal challenges continue.
Supporters argue the displays reflect historical foundations of U.S. law, while critics say the rulings blur the line between church and state inside public schools.
The case is now expected to move toward the U.S. Supreme Court, where a final decision could redefine how religion is handled in classrooms nationwide.
For now, the legal battle over public schools, and what belongs on their walls, is far from settled.
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