Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has directed the state’s public school systems to begin displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms starting next week, a move drawing both legal scrutiny and political attention.

According to The Christian Post, the order follows a federal ruling that temporarily blocks the mandate in 11 school districts, while a broader legal debate plays out across other states enacting similar laws.

On August 20, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued an injunction that prevents 11 specific school districts in Texas from enforcing a state law requiring the display. These districts include major ones such as Houston, Austin, and Plano. The ruling does not halt the law statewide.

Paxton Issues Immediate Compliance Order

Despite that ruling, Paxton issued a public directive indicating that nearly all other school districts in the state must comply with Senate Bill 10. The law requires schools to post a 16-by-20-inch version of the Ten Commandments, using a specific English text provided by the legislation.

The directive specifies implementation by next week, ahead of the new school year. Paxton asserted that the limited scope of Judge Biery’s injunction does not apply to most districts in Texas and that they must still uphold the law.

“Schools not enjoined by ongoing litigation must abide by S.B. 10 and display the Ten Commandments,” Paxton said in a public statement. He added that those seeking to remove such references from American schools “will be defeated.”

Background On Senate Bill 10

Senate Bill 10 was signed into law earlier this year by Gov. Greg Abbott and is set to officially go into effect statewide on September 1. The legislation makes it mandatory for public schools to display the religious document prominently in classrooms, provided the posters meet the law’s format standards.

However, schools are not obligated to spend public funds to buy the posters. Instead, the law requires that schools accept and display privately donated versions that comply with the specifications outlined in the bill.

Paxton clarified the matter, explaining that while purchasing displays is voluntary, accepting and posting qualifying donated materials is compulsory under the new statute.

Advocacy Group Drives Donation Campaign

To support implementation of the law, a Texas-based advocacy group called Texas Values launched a campaign in July. The initiative, RestoreAmericanSchools.com, offers Ten Commandments posters for $1 apiece, including shipping, helping facilitate donations to schools across the state.

Jonathan Covey, policy director for the group, said the effort was aimed at reducing financial stress on school districts. “It was important to us that we could take private donations and give those to the school districts,” he said.

The website simplifies the process, allowing individuals to contribute directly to compliance with S.B. 10 without involving additional government spending or approvals.

Pending Appeal And Multistate Legal Battle

Paxton’s office has appealed Judge Biery’s ruling, signaling that the legal clash over classroom religious displays is far from resolved. The injunction currently pauses enforcement only in the 11 named districts.

Meanwhile, other states have grappled with nearly identical legal challenges. Louisiana and Arkansas have both passed laws mandating Ten Commandments displays in schools, each facing its own courtroom battles over church-state separation issues.

In June, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that Louisiana’s version of the law violated the First Amendment, citing concerns over government endorsement of religion. That ruling could influence related cases in Texas and Arkansas.

Constitutional Debate Over Religious Displays

That same month, advocacy organizations including Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the ACLU filed a lawsuit targeting Arkansas’s law. They argue such mandates breach constitutional lines by promoting religion in public institutions.

Though Texas has yet to face a statewide legal challenge similar to those in Louisiana and Arkansas, the federal ruling by Judge Biery may foreshadow additional court involvement as the law takes effect on September 1.

Paxton defended the legislation by tying it to foundational American principles. “From the beginning, the Ten Commandments have been irrevocably intertwined with America’s legal, moral, and historical heritage,” he stated.

Path Forward For Texas Schools

As the school year begins, most Texas districts will now move forward with the required displays unless further court rulings intervene. Those under the current injunction are temporarily exempt.

The legal situation has added complexity to implementation, leaving administrators and educators in a position of uncertainty as lawsuits continue to unfold.

For now, Paxton remains firm in his directive, positioning it as part of a broader cultural and constitutional fight over the role of religion in public education.