The lawsuit contests a state law that requires the biblical directives be displayed in classrooms, saying it violates First Amendment and parental rights.
A new Texas law requires that public schools must display the Ten Commandments, as seen on a monument at the state Capitol in Austin, on a poster in classrooms.A group of faith leaders and parents from North Texas this week sued to stop a new state law that will require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, arguing it violates their First Amendment and parental rights.
Tuesday in a Dallas federal court on behalf of their 10 children who attend schools in the Dallas, DeSoto and Lancaster Independent School Districts, whose boards are all named as defendants.that state lawmakers have passed that critics say inject religion into the state’s public schools, attended by roughly 5.5 million children.the Ten Commandments be displayed on a poster sized at least 16 by 20 inches come September when most new state laws go into effect. Gov. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs who identify as Christian described a variety of specific reasons for their opposition to hanging the Ten Commandments in their kids’ schools but generally characterized not wanting to cede any rights as parents. One of them, a Christian minister, said that the displays will conflict with the religious and social justice and civil rights beliefs he seeks to teach his kids by offering a message of religious intolerance, “implying that anyone who does not believe in the state’s official religious scripture is an outsider and not fully part of the community.” Another, a mother of two, is worried she will be “forced” to have sensitive and perhaps premature conversations about topics like adultery with her young children — and also “does not desire that her minor children to be instructed by their school about the biblical conception of adultery,” the suit states. Spokespersons for the Texas Education Agency, also a named defendant, did not respond Thursday to requests for comment. A Lancaster ISD spokesperson said that the district was aware of the suit and monitoring it but did not have further comment. A Dallas ISD spokesperson said the district does not comment on pending litigation. DeSoto ISD administrators said in a statement that the school system, which teaches roughly 6,000 kids, operates in alignment with state and federal laws and also remains committed to creating an inclusive learning environment “for all students and families, regardless of religious background or personal beliefs.” “DeSoto ISD recognizes the diverse cultural and religious identities represented in its school community and will continue to prioritize the safety, dignity, and educational well-being of every student,” district officials said. “The district respects the role of parents and guardians in guiding their children’s personal and religious development and will strive to remain sensitive to the varying perspectives within its schools.”Independent Texas reporting needs your support. The Texas Tribune delivers fact-based journalism for Texans, by Texans — and our community of members, the readers who donate, make our work possible. Help us bring you and millions of others in-depth news and information. Will you support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation of any amount?
Texas Politics Texas Policy Texas Government Public Education State Government Courts Religion And Politics
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texas schools may soon display Ten Commandments, sparking debate on religious neutralityNext school year Texas could require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments.The Texas House passed Senate Bill 10 Sunday. They added a key ame
Read more »
Ten Commandments school requirement heads to Texas governorThe Senate agreed Wednesday to a provision the Texas House added requiring the state attorney general defend public schools in any lawsuits arising from the...
Read more »
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott plans to sign Ten Commandments bill after Senate approvalErik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality.
Read more »
Texas Ten Commandments bill requiring display in schools heads to Gov. Abbott for approvalSB 10 would require schools to post a 'durable poster or framed copy' of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.
Read more »
Groups prepared to sue Texas over bill requiring Ten Commandments in public schoolsCivil liberties groups, including the ACLU, are planning to sue the state of Texas over a bill requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments.
Read more »
Groups will sue Texas if Gov. Abbott signs Ten Commandments billClassroom displays of the Ten Commandments in public schools would be required under a bill the Legislature approved this week. It’s “blatantly...
Read more »