Civil Liberties Groups Prepare Lawsuit Against Texas Ten Commandments Bill
AUSTIN — Civil liberties organizations, including the ACLU of Texas and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, are poised to sue Texas if the state enacts a controversial bill requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The legislation mandates all classrooms feature a conspicuous 16-by-20-inch poster of the religious text, a move critics argue undermines the First Amendment’s separation of church and state.
In a joint statement, advocacy groups condemned the bill as "blatantly unconstitutional," citing nearly 50 years of U.S. Supreme Court precedent that blocks such displays in public education settings. The Texas House has modified the bill to require the state attorney general to defend schools in any lawsuits linked to the Ten Commandments requirement, potentially using taxpayer funds for the legal battle.
Governor Greg Abbott, who has expressed intentions to support the legislation, responded defiantly on social media, recalling his past victory in defending a Ten Commandments monument at the Texas Capitol. “Bring it,” he wrote, indicating confidence in prevailing in legal disputes regarding the bill.
Proponents of the legislation, including Senate author Phil King, aim for the matter to ascend to the U.S. Supreme Court. They believe recent rulings, particularly in the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District case, have paved the way for religious displays in schools. However, opponents highlight that Texas is home to a diverse population with myriad religious beliefs, arguing the bill promotes one faith over others.
As pressure mounts, civil liberties groups stress their commitment to protecting students’ and parents’ rights to religious freedom. "We will not allow Texas lawmakers to divide communities," they asserted, warning of a lawsuit should the governor sign the measure into law.
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