Legal Battle Fast Approaches Involving Texas’ New 10 Commandments Law

The latest legal fight over posting the Ten Commandments is unfolding in Texas. A new law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all Texas public-school classrooms is set to take effect September 1, 2025, just weeks into the 2025-26 school year. Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 10, which Governor Glen Abbott signed into law June 20. federal courts in Louisiana and Arkansas have ruled — since SB 10's passage in Texas this spring — that such laws remain unconstitutional. As Texas Public Radio reports, SB-10 supporters counter that the Ten Commandments collectively constitute a legal document critical to the historical foundation of the United States.

Pew Research Center

But a court hearing on Friday could lead to the law being blocked, pending the outcome of a lawsuit. SB-10 opponents have come together, forming a coalition of civil rights groups. They’re seeking an injunction against the law at a federal court hearing in San Antonio to prevent it from taking effect September 1. “Because we know that even days or weeks of being exposed to this state-sponsored religious indoctrination can cause real harm to our clients and students like them.” The coalition is suing on behalf of sixteen Texas families of different religious backgrounds. They’re arguing that the law violates First Amendment protections against government-established religion.
The instructions spelled out in the new law [RS 17:2124] state the Ten Commandments shall be displayed in each classroom in each school, on a poster or framed document that is at least 11x14 inches and with the following text:

"The Ten Commandments

I AM the Lord thy God.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven images.

Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long

upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant,

nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy

neighbor's."

Just to give you a sense of the large scale involved in this process, according to the Texas Education Agency there are 1,207 public school districts at nearly 9,000 campuses statewide. Most districts open between August 11-13 across the state of Texas.