Texas has begun displaying the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms under a state law that roughly two dozen families are asking the Supreme Court to block, according to court filings and reporting by Fox News. The families argue the mandate crosses the constitutional separation of church and state, while supporters say it protects religious liberty and provides students with moral guidance.
The legal battle began after Texas enacted legislation requiring Ten Commandments posters in every public school classroom. A federal appeals court upheld the law, reasoning that students are not required to recite the text, believe it or affirm its religious origins. The families, represented by groups including the ACLU, have asked the Supreme Court to intervene and reverse the lower court's decision. The justices have not yet agreed to hear the case.
Brittany McFarland, an Austin-area mother whose 5-year-old daughter attends public school in Texas, told Fox News she was "pleasantly surprised" by the classroom displays and said the backlash reflects a broader debate over faith and religious liberty in schools. She said her family had considered whether public school remained the right choice before the Ten Commandments law gave them renewed hope about the direction of education.
"I feel like our country, we've been kind of forced to erase religion and discussion of religion in schools in general," McFarland said. "Almost to the point where the topic is taboo, and our children are afraid and uncomfortable to mention their faith or talk anything about it."
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative supporters argue that the Ten Commandments represent foundational moral principles that benefit students regardless of their religious beliefs. Senator Ted Cruz has defended Bible-related education in schools, arguing it provides historical and ethical context.
Texas has defended the law in court proceedings, asserting that voluntary exposure to a displayed text does not constitute government endorsement of religion. McFarland echoed this position, saying she views the Ten Commandments as "a reminder to do the right thing" rather than an imposition of Christianity.
"These are things that we should be talking about in our homes and in our classrooms," McFarland said, pointing to commandments against stealing and instructions to honor one's parents as examples of principles with value for all children. She noted teachers have been instructed to direct student questions about the poster to parents rather than providing religious instruction themselves.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic state legislator James Talarico has criticized the displays, calling them inconsistent with Christian values and arguing they violate constitutional principles of religious freedom. The ACLU argues that government-mandated religious displays in public schools constitute imposition of religion on students regardless of whether recitation is required.
Opponents say the displays could make students from non-Christian or nonreligious families feel excluded or pressured. An Austin interfaith couple involved in the challenge has argued that decisions about a child's religious upbringing should remain with parents and faith communities, not politicians. The ACLU has warned the mandate could lead to religious coercion, bullying or stigmatization of students who do not follow the Christian faith.
"I don't see this posting historically significant religious text as imposing religion at all," McFarland said. "It's not like the children are having to recite it. It's not like they're standing up and giving a Pledge of Allegiance to it."
What the Numbers Show
Texas is among several states that have enacted laws requiring Ten Commandments displays in public schools following recent Supreme Court decisions expanding religious liberty protections. A federal appeals court upheld the Texas law in a 2-1 ruling, with both judges in the majority appointed by Republican presidents. The dissenting judge was appointed by a Democratic president.
If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, it would represent the court's latest examination of First Amendment protections for religious expression in public settings following several rulings that favored faith-based claims in recent terms.
The Bottom Line
The dispute centers on whether displaying a religious text in public school classrooms constitutes government endorsement of religion or permissible exposure to historically significant material. A federal appeals court has upheld the Texas law, but families are asking the Supreme Court to reverse that decision and block the displays. Whether the justices take up the case could set precedent for similar laws in other states and shape how the First Amendment applies to religious expression in public schools going forward.
McFarland said she believes the conversation about religion belongs in homes, not classrooms, but sees classroom displays as opening opportunities for family discussion rather than imposing beliefs on students. Opponents counter that government-mandated religious displays send a message that the state favors one faith over others, regardless of whether participation is required.