Mara Nathan, Rabbi v. United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit
April 21, 2026·25-50695·Panel Decision·By Aisha Johnson
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a Texas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms does not violate the Establishment or Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.
The case involves a Texas law, S.B. 10, which mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Plaintiffs argued that the law violated the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.
The court’s reasoning
The court reasoned that the Texas law does not resemble a founding-era religious establishment and does not coerce religious exercise. The law merely requires the display of the Ten Commandments without mandating religious observance or instruction.
What it means going forward
The ruling allows Texas public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms without violating the First Amendment.
