Texas parents sue to block mandatory display of Ten Commandments in school classrooms

Three mothers from the Houston area have united to challenge a Texas law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Audrey Nath, Emily Roth, and Sanjam Sohal argue that the legislation infringes upon their constitutional rights and violates the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act and Parental Rights amendment.

The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 10 last year, requiring all public school classrooms to exhibit the Ten Commandments, a move supported by conservative groups and passed by Texas voters in November 2025. However, a federal lawsuit filed against the law in April was upheld by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, leaving the case open for further appeal to the Supreme Court.

Supporters of the law, such as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Christian advocacy group Texas Values, contend that Biblical texts are crucial to the nation's heritage and history, deserving a place in classrooms. The lawsuit alleges that SB-10 presents the beliefs of one religion as state-sanctioned rules, potentially alienating students with differing faiths.

With Texas being one of four states requiring the Ten Commandments in schools, the mothers fear this could set a precedent for further religious instruction in public schools, claiming it "opens the door" for more religious teachings. As of now, some Texas districts, including Arlington Independent School District, are awaiting the outcome of a separate federal lawsuit before displaying the Ten Commandments, while others remain prohibited from doing so until the legal battle is resolved.