Texas can require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, US appeals court rules

Texas can require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, US appeals court rules

A U.S. appellate court has allowed Texas to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, according to a decision issued Tuesday. The ruling is seen as a win for conservative advocates who have long advocated for greater religious influence in education.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that the legislation complies with both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. This decision sets the stage for potential challenges at the U.S. Supreme Court, where the issue may be revisited in the coming months.

The law, which became effective on September 1, represents the most extensive effort nationwide to display the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. It aligns with broader Republican initiatives, led by former President Donald Trump, to incorporate religious elements into public education.

In February, the appeals court also approved Louisiana’s similar law, which mandates Ten Commandments displays in classrooms. The ruling followed arguments presented in January by the full court in both the Texas and Louisiana cases, with the 5th Circuit voting 12-6 to remove an injunction initially imposed by a lower court in 2024.

About two dozen school districts were initially prevented from displaying the commandments due to federal injunctions, though they have since been installed in numerous classrooms as districts either funded their own prints or received donations. Critics argue the measure undermines the separation of church and state, while supporters claim it reflects the historical and legal foundations of the U.S. Constitution.

The article has been revised to include further details.