Separation of church and state tested again as Texas’ classroom Ten Commandments law stalls

Texas’ latest attempt to bring religion directly into public school classrooms has hit a judicial roadblock. According to the Associated Press, a federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the state’s requirement that every public school classroom display the Ten Commandments, marking the third time in recent months that such a law has been halted by the courts.The law, set to go into effect on September 1, was challenged by Dallas-area families and faith leaders, who argued that it violated the First Amendment. They pointed to the clause guaranteeing separation of church and state, as well as the right to free religious exercise.

What are the Ten Commandments?

The Ten Commandments are a set of biblical principles found in the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. They include directives such as honoring one’s parents, keeping the Sabbath, prohibiting theft, lying, adultery, murder, and worship of other gods.

For Jewish and Christian traditions, they represent core moral and religious teachings. In American debates, they are often invoked both as a symbol of faith and as a claimed foundation for aspects of the legal system.

A sweeping order and a symbolic ending

In a 55-page ruling, US District Judge Fred Biery of San Antonio sided with the plaintiffs. Quoting the First Amendment at the beginning and signing off with the word “Amen,” Biery underscored the weight of the decision.

He noted that while the law did not explicitly require teaching the Ten Commandments, it would inevitably pull teachers into religious discussions. “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, as reported by AP.The lawsuit named the Texas Education Agency, state education Commissioner Mike Morath, and three Dallas-area school districts as defendants.

Part of a wider legal fight

Texas is not alone in pursuing this path. According to AP, earlier this year, Louisiana became the first state to mandate that classrooms display the Ten Commandments. But in June, a panel of three federal appellate judges ruled that law unconstitutional. Arkansas faced similar resistance; a judge there blocked four school districts from putting up the posters, and other districts have chosen not to display them at all.Civil liberties groups see these rulings as major victories in protecting constitutional boundaries. Yet AP notes that the Texas case is unlikely to end here. With deep-pocketed support from conservative and religious groups, the fight is expected to move through appeals and could ultimately reach the US Supreme Court.

Tradition VS constitutional boundaries

Supporters of the Texas law argue that the Ten Commandments are not just religious scripture but also a historic cornerstone of the nation’s legal and educational systems. They point to Texas’ own Capitol grounds, where a Ten Commandments monument has stood since winning a Supreme Court case in 2005. “The Ten Commandments are part of the foundation of our judicial system,” conservative groups argue, framing the display as cultural rather than doctrinal, as reported by AP.Opponents counter that such laws blur lines between state and religion in ways the Constitution explicitly forbids. For teachers, as Judge Biery observed, the presence of these posters could force religious conversations in classrooms that are meant to serve diverse student bodies.

What lies ahead

Friday’s ruling has slowed Texas’ push, but AP reports that it is likely just one battle in a much larger war over religion in public spaces. The symbolic stakes are high: conservatives see the Ten Commandments as reclaiming cultural heritage, while civil liberties advocates see them as a breach of constitutional protections.In this courtroom clash, the meaning of the First Amendment is being tested yet again — and the final word, many believe, will come from the highest court in the land.(with AP inputs) TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.