A federal appeals court has ruled that Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, a decision that could eventually be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The ruling came from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found that the law does not violate the First Amendment. That amendment protects religious freedom and is often interpreted to require a separation between church and state. The court’s decision overturns a lower court ruling that had blocked the law.
Ken Paxton praised the outcome, calling it a major victory and arguing that the Ten Commandments are an important part of the nation’s historical and legal foundation. Supporters of the law generally frame it as educational or cultural rather than religious.
Opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union, strongly disagree. They argue the ruling undermines longstanding constitutional principles and infringes on families’ rights to decide how their children are exposed to religion. From their perspective, requiring religious text in classrooms crosses the line into government endorsement of a specific faith.
The decision is part of a broader push by conservative lawmakers, including Donald Trump, to bring more religious elements into public education. A similar law in Louisiana has also been allowed to proceed, increasing the chances that the issue could be resolved at the national level.
For now, the Texas law remains in effect, meaning public schools across the state can continue displaying the Ten Commandments while the legal debate moves forward.
