Federal Judge Blocks Texas Law Mandating Ten Commandments in Classrooms; State Vows Appeal

AUSTIN, Texas – A federal district court in Texas has issued a preliminary injunction, effectively halting a new state law that would have required public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery’s ruling on Wednesday prevents Senate Bill 10 from taking effect as scheduled on September 1, citing likely violations of both the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.

Judge Biery’s decision in the case of Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District highlighted concerns that mandatory displays could constitute unconstitutional religious coercion, potentially pressuring students into religious observance and suppressing their individual beliefs. The lawsuit was brought by a diverse coalition of families, including Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist, and nonreligious plaintiffs, who argued the measure infringed upon parental rights and imposed religious mandates in public education.

While plaintiffs and civil liberties advocates have applauded the decision as a victory for religious freedom and inclusivity in schools, the legal battle is far from over. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has swiftly announced his office’s intention to appeal the ruling, asserting that the Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of the state’s moral and legal heritage. This sets the stage for a significant and ongoing legal challenge over the separation of church and state in Texas public schools.

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