Federal Judge Orders Removal of Ten Commandments Displays in Texas Schools

In a significant legal development, a federal judge has mandated that several Texas school districts remove Ten Commandments displays from their classrooms by December 1.

This decision challenges the state's recent law requiring such religious texts in public educational settings.

U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, targeting 14 school districts, including Fort Worth, Arlington, McKinney, Frisco, Northwest, Rockwall, and Mansfield.

The injunction prohibits these districts from enforcing Senate Bill 10, a law passed earlier this year that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.

Judge Garcia emphasized that displaying the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

He stated that it would be "impractical, if not impossible," to protect students from "unwelcome religious displays" without halting the enforcement of the law.

The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of Texas families, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The plaintiffs argue that the law infringes upon religious freedom and the constitutional separation of church and state.

Chloe Kempf, an attorney for the ACLU of Texas, remarked, "Today's ruling is yet another affirmation of what Texans already know: The First Amendment guarantees families and faith communities—not the government—the right to instill religious beliefs in our children."

Despite the court's decision, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has indicated plans to appeal the ruling.

He asserts that the Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of moral and legal heritage and that their presence in classrooms serves as a reminder of the values that guide responsible citizenship.

As the legal battle continues, the affected school districts are required to comply with the court's order and remove the displays by the specified deadline.

This case underscores the ongoing national debate over the role of religious symbols in public education and the interpretation of constitutional rights regarding religious expression.