A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction preventing public school teachers in 11 Texas districts, including three in the Greater Houston area, from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms. This ruling comes despite a state law passed in June that aimed to allow such displays.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ruled on the case of Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District on Wednesday, stating that Senate Bill 10, which permitted the display of the biblical text, crosses the line from mere exposure to religious coercion.
In his 55-page opinion, Judge Biery noted the potential for cruelty among children who might target peers they perceive as different. He emphasized that even if the Ten Commandments were not actively taught in schools, their presence could lead to discomfort and inquisitive questions from students, placing undue pressure on educators to respond.
Biery highlighted the awkward situations that could arise, such as hypothetical questions from students about the implications of the commandments, which could create uncomfortable dynamics in an educational setting already burdened by issues like sex education.
The controversial Senate Bill 10 was introduced by Senator Phil King and was signed into law in late June. This legislation mandates that the Ten Commandments be displayed on a donated 16-by-20 poster in public schools. The law was already deemed “plainly unconstitutional” by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals prior to this ruling, prompting expectations of legal challenges.
As the law is set to go into effect on September 1, plaintiffs in this case aim to extend the injunction to protect other Texas school districts from enacting the law. Judge Biery noted that the broader issue of religious coercion within public schools could eventually be addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Rabbi Mara Nathan, a parent and plaintiff, expressed her approval of the ruling, remarking that religious education should originate from families and faith communities rather than from government entities.
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, affirmed that the ruling protects the rights of Texas families to determine their own children’s religious upbringing without interference from politicians or public school officials.
Supporters of SB 10 argue that understanding the Ten Commandments and Christian teachings is essential for grasping U.S. history and cultural heritage. However, the plaintiffs, consisting of families from diverse religious backgrounds—including Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist, and nonreligious communities—argued that the law violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
In their statement, the plaintiffs declared, “It violates the Constitution’s promise of religious freedom and church-state separation. Public schools are not Sunday schools.” This sentiment reinforces the divide between proponents of the law, who view it as a means to honor American history, and those who advocate for a clear boundary between religious beliefs and public education.
As the legal battle continues, the implications of this ruling could resonate beyond Texas, potentially influencing discussions about the intersection of religion and public education across the nation.
image source from：houstonpress
