politics
Texas families, faith leaders file lawsuit against the Ten Commandments in public schools
The lawsuit requiring the Ten Commandments in Texas schools calls the new law "a threat to the soul of both our democracy and our faith."
Published June 26, 2025 at 2:48pm by Alexis Simmerman
A group of Texas families and faith leaders is suing the state and some school districts after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill requiring the posting of donated copies of the Ten Commandments in public schools.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday claims Senate Bill 10 violates the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment, which maintains the separation of church and state.
Here's what we know.
Who is suing over the 10 Commandments in Texas schools?
The case has been brought by the following individuals:
- Minister Dominique Alexander
- Bishop Gerald Weatherall
- Pastor Shanneca Weatherall
- Reverend Bryant X. Phelps
- Pastor Kevin Harris
- Tiara Cooper
- Minister Al-Shaheed Muhammad
- Zaeta Muhammad
Who is the Texas 10 Commandments lawsuit against?
The lawsuit against Senate Bill 10 names a state entity, one individual and three school boards:
- The Texas Education Agency
- Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath
- Dallas ISD School Board
- DeSoto ISD School Board
- Lancaster ISD School Board
What is Senate Bill? New law will require the 10 Commandments in Texas public schools
The signing of the Ten Commandments legislation, SB 10, has long been a priority of the Texas Republican Party, which has rejected arguments that it would unconstitutionally establish government-imposed religion. The signing came one day after a three-judge panel of the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a similar measure enacted in Louisiana that the judges said is "plainly unconstitutional."
The plaintiffs in the Texas case agree.
"The government should govern; the Church should minister," the lawsuit states. "Anything else is a threat to the soul of both our democracy and our faith."
However, Abbott appears confident that SB 10 will withstand trial.
"Faith and freedom are the foundation of our nation. If anyone sues, we'll win that battle," Abbott wrote in a social media post Wednesday. "Just like when I defended the Ten Commandments Monument on Texas Capitol grounds at SCOTUS."