Multifaith Families Erupt After Court Backs Texas Ten Commandments Law
A federal appeals court has upheld Texas’ requirement that every public-school classroom display the Ten Commandments, setting up a new national fight over religion in schools.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a narrow decision that the law does not violate the Constitution, but multifaith families say it crosses a line on religious freedom.
According to AP News and Reuters, the court voted 9–8 to allow Senate Bill 10 to take effect, reversing earlier federal rulings that blocked the mandate. The law requires a visible Ten Commandments display in every classroom across the state.
The decision immediately triggered backlash from civil liberties groups, who argue it contradicts long-standing Supreme Court precedent and imposes religious doctrine in public education.
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“We are extremely disappointed in today’s decision,” the ACLU said in a statement.
The stakes extend beyond Texas, as similar laws are being considered or challenged in other states, signaling a broader legal shift around how courts interpret the First Amendment after recent Supreme Court rulings.
In classrooms, the conflict is already playing out. Some teachers are complying in form but not spirit, using placement tactics and altered materials to push back while avoiding discipline.
The case is now expected to move toward the U.S. Supreme Court, where a final ruling could redefine the boundaries of religion in public schools nationwide.
For now, the legal and cultural fight is far from over.
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