Federal judge blocks Texas law mandating Ten Commandments in classrooms

A federal judge yesterday blocked 11 Texas school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments in their schools, temporarily freezing a new law that was set to go into effect Sept. 1.

According to US District Judge Fred Biery’s Aug. 20 ruling, the law “crosses the line from exposure to coercion.” Republican Gov. Greg Abbott had signed the law, which would have required all public elementary and secondary schools to display the Ten Commandments in their classrooms, on June 20.

USA Today reported that the lawsuit was brought by a group of families and faith leaders, represented by organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation. 

In the ruling, Biery wrote that the law favors Christianity over other religions and “is likely to burden Plaintiffs’ exercise of their sincere religious or nonreligious beliefs in substantial ways.”

Local NBC affiliate KXAN reported that Biery’s preliminary injunction only applies to the 11 school districts challenged in the lawsuit.

Republican Texas Sen. Phil King, who authored the law, said in a Facebook post that he was not surprised by the ruling and had expected the law to be challenged. However, he added that he has “the highest level of confidence that this injunction will be overturned on appeal.” King also said that he will meet with the state’s litigation team shortly to discuss future action.

According to USA Today, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has said he will appeal the ruling, calling it a “flawed decision.”

“The Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of our moral and legal heritage,” Paxton said, “and their presence in classrooms serves as a reminder of the values that guide responsible citizenship.”

The post Federal judge blocks Texas law mandating Ten Commandments in classrooms appeared first on CatholicVote org.