Schools and the Ten Commandments: A Legal Showdown

A big legal fight is happening over whether public schools in Texas and Louisiana should display the Ten Commandments. In January, a federal appeals court will listen to arguments from both states after lower courts said their laws were not okay. The issue started when Texas passed a law requiring every public classroom to hang a poster of the Ten Commandments. Families from different beliefs sued, saying this law favors one religion and interferes with their freedom. A judge agreed and stopped the law from being enforced in many school districts. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups argued that the state cannot pick a religious text to display. They said the version of the Ten Commandments in the law is from a Protestant translation and goes against the First Amendment, which says the government should not favor one religion. The state of Texas appealed the decision. Officials there believe the Ten Commandments are important to U. S. law and history. They think the legal challenges are unfair. Meanwhile, a similar law in Louisiana was also blocked by the same appeals court. Legal experts think this case could end up in the U. S. Supreme Court, which has been changing its views on religion in public life. Supporters of the law say the Ten Commandments teach students about the moral roots of American law. Critics say it mixes religion and government in a way that should not happen. One judge pointed out that students can learn about the Ten Commandments' history without the state choosing a specific version to display in every classroom. The debate continues, and the outcome could affect schools across the country.