An American federal appeals court upheld a Texas law on Tuesday that requires the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. This decision marks a new milestone in the legal battles over the role of religion in American public education.
By a vote of nine to eight, the judges ruled that this requirement did not violate the constitutional rights of students or their parents. In their decision, they emphasized that no child is compelled to recite the Commandments, believe in them, or acknowledge their divine origin. The ruling also supports similar laws already in place in Louisiana and Arkansas.
The controversial law was signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott and went into effect in September. It mandates the placement of posters in a visible location in each classroom, with minimum dimensions of 16 by 20 inches and text that is legible from any point in the room. Approximately 5.5 million students attending Texas public schools are affected by this measure.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hailed it as a “great victory for Texas and our moral values,” arguing that students should be exposed daily to this religious text. Law advocates see the Ten Commandments as a foundational element of American history and law.
On the other hand, the American Civil Liberties Union and several parent associations criticize it as undermining the separation of church and state principle. They plan to appeal to the United States Supreme Court. Other Republican-led states, such as Alabama, are also considering similar initiatives.
