A Texas bill requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom has ignited a legal battle just as swiftly as it was passed.

According to CBN, the Republican-controlled Texas Senate approved the measure, SB 10, setting off immediate legal threats from groups who say the law violates constitutional protections of religious freedom.

On Wednesday, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 10, which mandates that public school classrooms across Texas must display a fixed version of the Ten Commandments. The posters are required to be at least 16 by 20 inches and must only contain the wording determined by the legislation, with no additional text or symbols.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Phil King of Weatherford, argued that faith-based values have long been part of the nation’s legal and cultural framework. According to King, the legislation seeks to "restore the history and tradition" of religious influence in public life, a stance supporters claim is supported by precedent.

Governor Greg Abbott, a supporter of religious expression in public schools, is expected to sign the bill into law. If he does, Texas will join states like Louisiana and Arkansas, which passed similar laws. Louisiana’s version is currently undergoing judicial review.

Opposition Cites Key Supreme Court Precedents

Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, announced plans to challenge the Texas law in court. They argue that SB 10 runs afoul of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which bars government endorsement of religion.

ACLU staff attorney Chloe Kempf pointed to the 1980 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Stone v. Graham, which struck down a similar statute in Kentucky. She emphasized that, though the Court has issued more recent rulings regarding prayer in schools and religious accommodations, Stone v. Graham remains binding and relevant.

“The Supreme Court has never overruled” the 1980 ruling, Kempf said. She added that the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District decision—cited by Texas lawmakers in defense of SB 10—deals with prayer by school staff and does not apply to compelled religious displays in classrooms.

Supporters Frame Bill as Historical Education

Some lawmakers backing SB 10 contend the bill is not about religious promotion, but historical education. Rep. Candy Noble, a Republican from Lucas, remarked that following moral law could be beneficial for society. First Liberty Institute’s Matt Krause said the legislation aligns state policy with recent U.S. Supreme Court guidance on free religious expression.

“Placing the Ten Commandments and national motto on schoolhouse walls” is appropriate, Krause noted, claiming it reminds students of the foundational principles of American law. He added that the new bill echoes a return to practices common in earlier eras of U.S. education.

To prepare for expected litigation, Texas lawmakers worked over the Memorial Day weekend to amend SB 10. The updated version specifies that the state government, not individual school districts, will defend any lawsuits arising from the implementation of the law.

Part of a Larger Legislative Movement

SB 10 is part of a series of education-related bills aimed at increasing religious representation in public schools. Alongside it, the legislature passed SB 11 and SB 965, which promote religious study time and allow school staff to engage in religious expression during work hours.

SB 11 establishes an optional period for prayer or religious study in school schedules, while SB 965 clarifies that educators are permitted to pray or speak religiously while on duty. Supporters say these additions enhance religious freedom without imposing beliefs on students.

In 2021, Texas also enacted a law requiring school campuses to display posters of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” if they are donated by private citizens. That policy has prompted discussion about the boundaries between civic expression and religious messaging.

Faith-Based Curriculum Draws Incentives

Beyond signage requirements, Texas has also expanded religious education materials for younger students. The State Board of Education has approved the Bluebonnet curriculum, a Bible-based program for kindergarten through fifth grade that integrates religious themes across subjects.

This curriculum includes stories like the Good Samaritan and literary lessons that reference the Book of Psalms. Though participation is voluntary, schools using Bluebonnet will receive an additional $60 per student in extra funding.

Critics of these measures assert they collectively amount to religious indoctrination. Advocates counter that such tools offer parents and schools more choices, aligning with the cultural values held by many Texas families.

Next Steps in the Legal Battle

For now, all eyes are on Governor Abbott’s office and the coalition of civil liberties groups preparing their lawsuits. Once signed, SB 10 is likely to face immediate legal injunctions as courts consider whether the new law constitutes government endorsement of religion.

Advocates on both sides of the debate say the issue could eventually make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. With recent shifts in the Court’s ideological leanings, the outcomes of these cases could redefine the role of religion in American public education.

Until then, Texas school districts are left navigating uncertain legal terrain while awaiting official guidance on how and when to display the mandated classroom posters.