Ten Commandments Display Law Stands in Texas Schools

A federal appeals court has decided that a Texas law mandating the Ten Commandments be shown in public school classrooms remains valid. The ruling came from the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which sided with Senate Bill 10 after a lawsuit by families who said the law pushed religion into schools. Earlier, a district judge had stopped the law from working in certain districts such as Austin ISD and Lake Travis ISD. With that block lifted, schools are likely to follow the state rule quickly.The decision was welcomed by Texas officials. Governor‑elect Ken Paxton called it a “major victory” and said the Commandments teach important lessons. Opponents argue the law violates the First Amendment’s separation of church and state, insisting families should decide whether to give religious instruction. Supporters claim the Commandments reflect historical influence rather than a push for religion, and that the Constitution does not force the state to erase history. Legal experts note that courts are still debating how to interpret religious freedom in cases like this. Some of the remaining lawsuits against the law may be dismissed if they mirror the facts in this ruling, while others could reach the Fifth Circuit again. Families plan to ask the Supreme Court for a reversal, but in the meantime, many classrooms will see the Ten Commandments posted.