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Federal Judge Rejects Texas Ten Commandments Law
AUSTIN, Texas – A federal judge has blocked a Texas law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, siding with families who argued the law violates the Constitution’s Establishment Clause. Judge Fred Biery, appointed by President Clinton, issued a pointed 55-page opinion on Wednesday, declaring the law likely unconstitutional and unenforceable in several Texas school districts, including those in Houston, Austin, and Fort Bend County.
The law, known as S.B. 10, was signed by Governor Greg Abbott in June and was slated to take effect statewide next month. It mandates the display of a specific English version of the Ten Commandments in a 16×20 inch format in every classroom.
Judge Biery questioned the practicality and appropriateness of the law, noting the potential for awkward situations and unintended consequences, particularly for teachers faced with students’ questions about the commandments. He also criticized the law for favoring Christian denominations over other faiths, given the variations in translations and interpretations of the commandments.
The ruling comes as similar laws enacted in Arkansas and Louisiana also face legal challenges, with court decisions trending against the mandates. Legal experts anticipate these cases may ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Attorneys representing the families who brought the suit applauded the decision as a victory for religious freedom. They emphasized the importance of separating public education from religious indoctrination. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a staunch defender of the law, expressed his intent to appeal the ruling, asserting that the Ten Commandments represent a fundamental part of the nation’s moral and legal foundation.