Texas School Districts Forced to Remove Ten Commandments

In November of 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reported that Texas school districts were set to remove displays of the Ten Commandments. This comes after a major decision by a U.S. District Judge and a successful lawsuit filed by a number of “multifaith and nonreligious” families in the relevant school districts. This case marks an important development in the debate over whether we should mix religion with public schools. What does it say about the future of similar cases in the United States? 

Judge Finds Displays of Ten Commandments in Texas school districts Violate Establishment Clause

The plaintiffs originally filed their lawsuit in September 2025. Fifteen families joined forces to fight for what they believed was the necessary separation of church and state. Before they filed the suit, the school districts decided to erect posters displaying the Ten Commandments. The districts decided to take this step despite an earlier ruling in August prohibiting such behavior. In that earlier lawsuit, the judge clearly stated that displaying the Ten Commandments would be unconstitutional. 

This situation unfolded due to a Texas law requiring the school districts to install the posters. As a result, it is fair to say that the school districts were put in a difficult situation. They could either violate the court order or disobey a state law. 

The second lawsuit led to a decision similar to the first. The judge presiding over the case stated that any display of the Ten Commandments in public schools would violate the Constitution. The judge specifically mentioned the Establishment Clause. 

The Establishment Clause essentially states that the country should not have a national religion. Under this clause, no religion has preferential treatment by the government. The clause also separates the state from the church. This applies to various government organizations, including public schools. 

ACLU Urges All Texas School Districts to Remove Ten Commandment Posters

The recent lawsuit only applies to certain school districts in Texas. As a result, not all school districts in Texas are required to take down the powers. However, the ACLU is urging all districts to follow suit anyway because the U.S. Constitution “supersedes state law.” 

The ACLU quoted the mother of Jewish children in Texas, who was satisfied with the decision. She stated that her children were “continually subjected to religious displays” that they did not identify with. According to her, the government has “no business interfering” with her family’s religious beliefs. 

It is difficult to argue with this logic. One has to wonder what would happen if the roles were reversed. What if America were a majority-Jewish country, and Christians were in the minority? How would Christian parents feel if their children were subjected to excerpts from the Torah while walking down the halls of their schools? 

On the other hand, there are those who believe that Christian values are part of America’s heritage. These people argue that the Ten Commandments are not necessarily religious per se, but rather moral or ethical foundations of American society.  

Continue Reading the Universal Life Church’s Blog

Each month, various cases test the nature of religious rights in this country. While the basis for many religious rights is the United States Constitution, there are still countless cases that question the exact nature of these rights. The Universal Life Church’s blog is focused on documenting the most noteworthy of these cases in an objective manner that can be easily understood by readers.