Texas Appeals Court Allows Ten Commandments in Public Schools

Wed Apr 22 2026 01:42:39 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A recent ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has cleared the way for the display of the Ten Commandments in Texas public school classrooms, igniting a debate over the separation of church and state.

In a landmark decision, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Texas law mandating that the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools, arguing it does not violate the First Amendment. This ruling is a significant win for conservative proponents pushing for the incorporation of religious principles in education. Critics, including the ACLU, argue that the decision undermines the constitutional separation of church and state.

DALLAS (AP) — In a significant ruling, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that Texas can mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. This decision represents a considerable win for conservatives advocating for increased religious presence in the educational system, setting the stage for a potential Supreme Court showdown over the issue.

The court ruled that the Texas law does not contravene the First Amendment, which prohibits the establishment of religion by the government while protecting religious freedoms. This interpretation has garnered strong support from proponents like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who praised the ruling as a victory for moral values. He remarked, “The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and it's important that students learn from them every single day.”

However, this decision has met significant backlash from organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, which expressed disappointment, arguing that the ruling contradicts fundamental First Amendment principles and the established separation of church and state.

Critics assert that this ruling allows religious doctrine to infringe upon the educational process, undermining the fundamental rights of families to determine religious education for their children. They maintain that such laws violate the essence of the First Amendment.

As both Texas and Louisiana push similar measures, the future of religious displays in schools remains uncertain, paving the way for further legal battles. The ruling, reversing a lower court's decision, reflects the growing tension nationwide regarding the inclusion of religious texts in public spaces, particularly educational institutions.

Texas' law, enacted on September 1, has sparked a larger movement across various districts, with many schools displaying the Ten Commandments despite previous legal challenges.