SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A significant ruling for religious freedom has emerged from the courts. A federal judge has ordered certain Texas school districts to take down displays of the Ten Commandments by December 1, 2025. This comes after a lawsuit filed by 15 families from different faith backgrounds. The families felt that these religious displays in public schools crossed a line.
U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia stated that displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. He emphasized that it’s not practical to protect students from unwanted religious displays without halting the enforcement of the new law.
This ruling is part of the case Cribbs Ringer v. Comal Independent School District, which arose because some districts had started to install Ten Commandments posters. The judge’s earlier ruling in another case, Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights ISD, had already deemed such displays unconstitutional. Following that decision, organizations representing the families urged all Texas districts not to follow the law.
While today’s ruling primarily affects the school districts involved in the lawsuit, advocates are calling for all Texas schools to respect students’ and families’ rights under the Constitution.
The advocacy groups behind this case include the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They teamed up with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP for pro bono support.
Lenee Bien-Willner, a plaintiff in the case, expressed relief, saying that her children won’t have to see religious displays at school. She believes that it’s up to families to guide their children’s spiritual choices, not the government.
Chloe Kempf, an attorney with the ACLU of Texas, echoed this sentiment, stating that schools should focus on education, not religious teachings. She highlighted that this ruling protects Texas students from feeling ostracized or bullied.
Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, noted that this ruling reinforces the idea that public schools should not impose religious beliefs. He called it a victory for religious liberty.
Rachel Laser, head of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, added that families should decide how and when their children engage with religion—not politicians or school officials.
Sam Grover from the Freedom From Religion Foundation expressed his joy about the ruling but stressed that Texas shouldn’t have placed families in this situation. He reiterated that it’s unconstitutional for public schools to push religious beliefs.
Jon Youngwood from Simpson Thacher also praised the court’s quick action, reaffirming that families should have the ultimate say in matters of faith.
This case reflects broader trends in America regarding church-state separation and religious freedom. Recent surveys show that a majority of Americans support keeping religious symbols out of public schools to ensure inclusivity for all students. With ongoing discussions about the role of religion in public spaces, today’s ruling could shape future policies in schools across the country.
As the conversation about religion in schools continues, this ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a clear boundary between government and personal beliefs, ensuring that all students feel safe and respected in their learning environments.
