Texas school Ten Commandments law challenged at Supreme Court

Ten Commandments public schools First Amendment Establishment Clause religious expression

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other civil rights groups have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Texas law that requires public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. The challenge follows a 9-8 decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law, which mandates a state-selected version of the text from the King James Bible.

Plaintiffs, including several interfaith families, argue the law violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause by imposing religious scripture on students. The legal battle highlights a growing trend in Southern states, such as Louisiana, where similar laws have been implemented. In Louisiana, posters have already begun appearing in classrooms following a federal appeals court ruling that cleared the state's mandate.

In Texas, the law was signed by Governor Greg Abbott and took effect last September. While the law only requires districts to display the posters if they are donated, conservative groups have actively provided them to campuses. Opponents of the law argue it improperly forces Christian doctrine onto a captive audience of students.

Entities

American Civil Liberties Union · Emily Roth · Greg Abbott · Ken Paxton · Louisiana · Supreme Court of the United States · Texas

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] A federal appeals court cleared the Louisiana law requiring the displays. www.nola.com · www.theadvocate.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Texas Senate bill SB10 requires all public school classrooms to display a graphic of the Ten Commandments.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Under Texas law, the required posters must be purchased using private donations.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Three mothers filed a lawsuit in Texas arguing that SB10 violates the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
[● 2 SOURCES] A Louisiana law requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. www.nola.com · www.theadvocate.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Three mothers filed a lawsuit in Texas against the state law requiring the displays.