Texas Judge Blocks Law Requiring Schools To Display Ten Commandments Inside Classrooms

By Danielle Ong Published: Aug 21 2025, 17:44 PM EDT

A Texas judge has blocked a state law that requires school districts to display the Ten Commandments inside classrooms.

The state has become the third in the nation where courts blocked recent legislation mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in schools. A group of families recently sought a preliminary injunction against the law, which was set to take effect on Sept. 1.

Ten Commandments in Classrooms

They argued that the requirement of displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms violates the First Amendment's protections for the separation of church and state as well as the right to free religious exercise.

The situation comes as Texas is the largest state to even attempt this kind of requirement for school districts. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery's ruling from San Antonio is the latest in a growing legal battle that many expect will later go before the United States Supreme Court.

Biery said in his ruling that while the Ten Commandments would not be affirmatively taught despite being displayed, the captive audience of students would likely have questions. These would then compel teachers to answer them, according to the Associated Press.

The judge also prohibits the 11 districts and their affiliates from posting the displays required under state law. The legislation is currently facing legal challenges by a group of Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist, and non-religious families. These include clergy who have children attending the public schools.

There is also a broader lawsuit that names three Dallas-area districts and the state education agency and commissioner, which is pending in federal court. While the latest ruling marks a major win for civil liberties groups, the legal battle regarding the display of the Ten Commandments is expected to continue.

Ongoing Legal Battle

The plaintiffs in the case are represented by a coalition of civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Texas, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Houston Public Media reported.

The Texas judge's ruling comes after another judge, from Arkansas, blocked his state's law in four districts. Additionally, Louisiana's law was blocked statewide by a district judge last November. In June, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upheld the preliminary injunction in New Orleans.

Recently, Louisiana state officials have asked the full 5th Circuit to rehear the case over the state's law. Any definitive ruling made by the 5th Circuit will most likely determine the fate of the Louisiana and Texas laws, as both states are in the 5th Circuit, as per EdWeek.