Austin, Texas — A federal judge has ordered public schools across 14 Texas districts to remove displays of the Ten Commandments by December, ruling that the state’s mandate requiring the postings violates the First Amendment, according to the Washington Examiner. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia, expands an earlier ruling that blocked enforcement of Senate Bill 10 (S.B. 10) in 11 school districts.
Families filed suit challenging the law shortly after Gov. Greg Abbott signed it in June, arguing that forcing public schools to display the Ten Commandments infringes on students’ constitutional rights by promoting a specific religious doctrine. Religious displays in public classrooms have long been the subject of court battles under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits government endorsement of religion.
Judge Garcia wrote that “displaying the Ten Commandments on the wall of a public-school classroom as set forth in S.B. 10 violates the Establishment Clause,” adding that it would be “impractical, if not impossible” for students to avoid unwelcome religious messaging without blocking the law’s enforcement across all affected districts.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton criticized districts that resisted implementing the law before it was struck down, arguing that the United States was founded on Christian principles. Paxton insisted that nothing in the Constitution prohibits such displays, saying there is “no valid legal basis” to prevent them.
The ruling halts the enforcement of S.B. 10 statewide within the districts under Garcia’s jurisdiction, setting up a likely appeal from state officials.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
