A US appeals court has ruled that Texas public schools can mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, overturning a district court's judgment. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the law does not infringe upon the First Amendment, which protects religious freedom and prohibits governmental establishment of religion.
Ruling Details
The decision reverses a previous ruling that had blocked the law, which took effect on 1 September. Many school districts have already begun displaying posters of the Ten Commandments. The court's majority opinion stated that the displays serve a secular purpose, such as historical and legal education, and do not coerce students into religious observance.
Reactions
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hailed the ruling as a significant victory for the state's moral values. 'This is a win for religious liberty and our heritage,' Paxton said in a statement. However, organisations challenging the law, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), expressed extreme disappointment. 'This ruling undermines the separation of church and state,' an ACLU spokesperson said.
Broader Context
The decision could pave the way for a showdown at the US Supreme Court. It is part of a broader push by Republicans to incorporate religion into public schools. A similar case in Louisiana saw the appeals court also clear the way for a law requiring Ten Commandments displays. Legal experts anticipate that the issue may ultimately be decided by the nation's highest court.
