God Wins: Texas Appeals Court Greenlights Ten Commandments in Every Public School Classroom

Texas Appeals Court Rules Ten Commandments Can Stay in Public School Classrooms

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that Texas can require the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, reversing lower court decisions that had blocked the law.

The landmark 9 to 8 decision upholds Texas Senate Bill 10, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2025, which mandates schools display a 16 by 20 inch poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in a conspicuous place in each classroom.

Circuit Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan authored the majority opinion, joined by eight other judges including Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod.

Students are neither catechized on the Commandments nor taught to adopt them. No child is made to recite the Commandments, believe them, or affirm their divine origin.

Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan wrote in the majority opinion.

The law requires the version of the Ten Commandments typically used by Protestants. Schools are not required to spend their own funds on the posters but must accept privately donated copies that meet the law's requirements.

Circuit Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez authored the dissenting opinion, joined by six court members, arguing the law violated fundamental First Amendment principles.

The Ten Commandments are required to be posted in every classroom of every public school during every hour.

Judge Ramirez wrote in her dissent, citing the Supreme Court's 1980 ruling in Stone v. Graham, which struck down a similar Kentucky statute.

Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of First Liberty Institute, celebrated the decision, referencing the Supreme Court's Kennedy v. Bremerton School District ruling as precedent.

Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Ten Commandments Law in Public Schools

The American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have announced plans to appeal the ruling to the United States Supreme Court.

The decision is expected to bolster similar laws in Arkansas and Louisiana that also require or allow Ten Commandments displays in public schools. Texas marked the largest attempt in the nation to hang the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms when the law took effect on September 1, 2025.

The Crusader's Opinion

For decades, hostile secularists have waged war on every visible trace of God in our public square. They stripped prayer from schools, tore down crosses from memorials, and pretended the Ten Commandments were somehow offensive to a nation literally founded on Judeo Christian principles. The Fifth Circuit just reminded them that the Constitution protects religion, it does not quarantine it. The Ten Commandments are not a threat to children. They are the moral bedrock upon which Western civilization was built. "Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not steal." What exactly are the ACLU and their allies afraid kids will learn?

Take Action

• Contact your state legislators and urge them to introduce similar Ten Commandments display legislation in your state. Find your representatives at usa.gov/elected-officials.
• Support First Liberty Institute, which fought for this victory, at firstliberty.org.
• Attend your local school board meetings and advocate for policies that respect religious heritage in education.
• Support Christian legal defense and persecution relief through www.TheShepherdsShield.org.
• Share this ruling on social media to spread awareness that the courts are upholding religious liberty in public schools.