Judge Rules Against Texas Ten Commandments Law
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Texas law that would require public schools in Houston, Austin, and several other districts to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The law, set to take effect on September 1, is being challenged by families from multiple religious backgrounds who argue it violates the First Amendment’s protections regarding religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, based in San Antonio, issued the preliminary injunction on Wednesday. His 55-page decision noted that while the Ten Commandments wouldn’t be directly taught, their presence would likely prompt student questions that teachers might feel obligated to answer. “That is what they do,” he wrote. His opinion began with a quote from the First Amendment and concluded with the word “Amen.”
The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist, and nonreligious families — including some clergy — who have children in Texas public schools. The ruling currently prevents 11 districts and their affiliates from enforcing the law.
Judge Biery added, “Ultimately, in matters of conscience, faith, beliefs, and the soul, most people are Garbo-esque. They just want to be left alone, neither proselytized nor ostracized, including what occurs to their children in government-run schools,” referencing a quote from classic actress Greta Garbo.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton criticized the decision and said the state will appeal. Calling the ruling “flawed,” Paxton defended the law by stating, “The Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of our moral and legal heritage, and their presence in classrooms serves as a reminder of the values that guide responsible citizenship.”
Texas is currently the largest state to pursue such a mandate. However, similar laws in other states have also faced legal obstacles. Courts have blocked comparable measures in Louisiana and Arkansas, where at least four school districts were barred from displaying the Ten Commandments.
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