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Radical Groups Challenge Display of Ten Commandments in Texas Classrooms

by Jayla Ward • 4 minutes

Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed three bills into law that protect religious freedom for students, parents, teachers and all public-school employees.

• SB 10 – requires the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms.
• SB 11 – allows public schools to provide time for students and educators to pray or read the Bible or other religious texts during school.
• SB 965 – protects the rights of teachers, coaches, school district staff and all public employees to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty.

Former state Rep. Matt Krause, a legal and policy advisor to First Liberty, testified in support of SB 10. Our client Coach Joe Kennedy also testified in support of SB 965, emphasizing it is an opportunity to correct the stifling of religious expression in public education.

“The Ten Commandments are a symbol of law and moral conduct with both religious and secular significance which provide valuable lessons for students,” Krause said. “First Liberty was grateful to support these important bills and appreciates leadership of Governor Abbott and all the elected officials who made this happen.

“This is a Texas-sized blessing that the Ten Commandments will now be displayed for students to see, much like the Ten Commandments Monument at the Texas Capitol and in the U. S. Supreme Court,” said Jonathan Saenz, President and Attorney for Texas Values, an organization that advocates for religious freedom, family and life.

These bills are a win for religious freedom in the Lone Star State. Each is consistent with Supreme Court precedent that recognizes the country’s religious heritage and embodies the best of our nation’s history and traditions.

The Battle for Religious Freedom Isn’t Over

In Texas and states all across America, faith and religious expression are being restored where they rightfully and legally belong. But the fight for religious freedom far from over. In fact, the new attacks have already begun.

This week, the Next Generation Action Network Legal Advocacy Fund announced via social media they filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas challenging the Ten Commandments law, which goes into effect September 1^st.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans United for Separation of Church and State and Freedom From Religion Foundation announced that they will also challenge the Texas law in court.

The ACLU also sued the state of Louisiana for its law regarding the Ten Commandments in the classroom. First Liberty is supporting Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in defending the law.

While our Supreme Court victories opened the door of opportunity, our opponents are relentless. Each effort to advance religious liberty is being met with resistance and lawsuits. Many of these groups are incredibly well-funded—and you can be sure their attacks will not stop anytime soon. This is a fight that will only intensify.

Please give to First Liberty today. Your gift is essential in this fight—it’s the difference maker that will help us win more cases and secure the blessings of liberty for our children and grandchildren.