Federal judge blocks Texas law requiring public schools to display Ten Commandments poster
A federal judge in San Antonio has blocked a Texas law that required public schools to display posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in May, aimed to mandate the display of these religious commandments in the state’s public schools-Texas being the largest state to pursue such a requirement.
U.S.district Judge Fred Biery ruled that even if the Ten Commandments were not formally taught in class, their public display would lead to questions from students, which teachers would feel compelled to answer, effectively making the display an endorsement of religion. the decision came after a lawsuit filed by Dallas families and faith leaders, who argued the law violates the First Amendment’s separation of church and state and the right to free religious exercise.
The lawsuit named Texas education officials and school districts as defendants.Religious groups argue the ten Commandments are foundational to U.S. history and shoudl be displayed, noting a monument of the commandments already stands on Texas Capitol grounds legally.
The ruling aligns with a similar decision in Arkansas,where a federal judge blocked a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms of large school districts. That judge described the Arkansas law as “obviously unconstitutional” and part of a broader strategy to introduce Christian doctrine into public schools.
Federal judge blocks Texas law requiring public schools to display Ten Commandments poster
Texas cannot mandate public schools in the state to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, a San Antonio judge said Wednesday.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) signed a bill in May mandating the display of the prominent Christian religious laws in public schools. Texas is the largest state to attempt to require the display of the Ten Commandments.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ruled that children would inevitably be taught about the commandments because of their public display, even if Christian teachings aren’t in the curriculum.
“Even though the Ten Commandments would not be affirmatively taught, the captive audience of students likely would have questions, which teachers would feel compelled to answer. That is what they do,” Biery wrote in the 55-page ruling.
Biery ended the ruling with “Amen.”
A group of Dallas families and faith leaders had sued for a preliminary injunction set to go into effect on Sept. 1. The plaintiffs say the requirement violates the First Amendment’s separation of church and state, along with the right to free religious exercise.
The suit named the Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath and three Texas school districts as defendants.
Religious groups have noted the Ten Commandments are part of the foundation of the United States and should be displayed. The state of Texas specifically has a monument dedicated to the Ten Commandments on the Capitol grounds that has withstood legal scrutiny.
A similar case result also favored those against putting the Ten Commandments up in classrooms.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas issued the preliminary injunction earlier this month against a state law, commanding the commandments be shown, aimed at four school districts in the state. He called the law “obviously unconstitutional.”
“Why would Arkansas pass an obviously unconstitutional law?” Brooks wrote in the limited ruling. “Most likely because the state is part of a coordinated strategy among several states to inject Christian religious doctrine into public-school classrooms.”
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