Introduction to the Controversy
A new lawsuit has been filed in federal court to stop more Texas public school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms. This lawsuit is the second of its kind and is a continuation of the efforts by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, along with other civil rights groups, to defend the First Amendment and ensure that government officials do not interfere with personal family decisions.
Background on the Law
Earlier this summer, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10 into law, requiring every public school classroom in the state to include a poster with the Ten Commandments. However, last month, a U.S. judge granted a preliminary injunction against 11 school districts in Texas’ largest metropolitan areas, ruling that the new law "likely violates both the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment" to the U.S. Constitution.
The New Lawsuit
The new lawsuit, filed in the same San Antonio district court as the initial lawsuit, names another 14 districts as defendants. These districts are located in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio areas, as well as the Rio Grande Valley. The lawsuit is a response to districts that have displayed or indicated they plan to display the posters, despite the court’s earlier ruling that SB 10 is likely unconstitutional.
Reaction from School Districts
Conroe ISD, a district north of Houston that is named as a defendant, had initially paused its rollout of Ten Commandments posters after the temporary injunction was issued. However, the district changed course a week later after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement urging all districts not bound by the injunction to move forward and display the posters. A Conroe ISD spokesperson said that the district had not yet been served with the lawsuit and that it "will continue to follow the law and will comply with any future judgments or legal proceedings."
Efforts to Block the Posters
The day after the injunction was granted, the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State sent letters to all Texas public school districts, urging them to not hang the posters and remove any displays currently posted. The letter emphasized that all school districts have an independent obligation to respect students’ and families’ constitutional rights and that the U.S. Constitution supersedes state law.
Similar Laws in Other States
Similar laws requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools, passed in Arkansas and Louisiana, have also been at least partially blocked by courts. This suggests that the issue is not unique to Texas and that there are broader implications for the separation of church and state in public education.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the display of the Ten Commandments in Texas public schools continues to unfold. The new lawsuit is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the role of religion in public education and the limits of government authority. As the case moves forward, it will be important to consider the potential implications for students, families, and communities across the state. Ultimately, the outcome of this lawsuit will have important consequences for the interpretation of the First Amendment and the separation of church and state in Texas and beyond.
