Texas Attorney General Fights To Keep The 10 Commandments Bill In Place

A federal judge’s August 20 order attempted to sideline Texas Senate Bill 10, the law requiring donated copies of the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, by issuing a preliminary injunction for a handful of school districts. But Texas families aren’t backing down, and neither is Attorney General Ken Paxton. Within days, Paxton appealed the ruling. Today, he moved to have the case heard en banc at the Fifth Circuit, allowing all active judges to weigh in. That’s the kind of action parents expect from their elected leaders.

Last month, a federal district court blocked SB 10 only as to the school districts that sued, finding that forced removal of the displays was warranted while litigation proceeds. This was not a final ruling on the merits, nor a statewide veto. Yet activist groups quickly blasted out letters attempting to intimidate uninvolved districts into noncompliance, despite the order’s limited scope.

The Attorney General has (1) appealed the injunction, (2) asked the Fifth Circuit to hear the case en banc, and (3) informed districts they must comply with SB 10 unless they are actually covered by a court order. That’s accountability and clarity, two things families deserve as the school year begins.

For generations, the Ten Commandments have helped form the moral vocabulary of right and wrong. Reminding students of these basic duties strengthens the culture of respect on campus and instills basic morality. SB 10 simply allows donated copies to be displayed; it doesn’t force any participation in any religion. Parents who want an orderly, values-affirming classroom should not be overruled by a small group of activists racing to federal court.

Texas Family Project urges:

1. School districts not covered by the injunction to follow SB 10 and accept donated displays.

2. Parents to contact their school boards and demand compliance with state law.

3. Courts to respect Texas’ right to reflect the values of its citizens in public life.

Texas families asked for leadership. Ken Paxton is delivering. We’ll stand with parents across the state until SB 10 is fully vindicated and the Ten Commandments can hang in every classroom.