Texas Law Forces Teachers into Difficult Decisions Over Ten Commandments Display

Fri Nov 21 2025 07:18:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In Texas, new legislation mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, leading to teacher resignations and legal challenges. Educators grapple with the implications for religious freedom and student autonomy.

Gigi Cervantes, a high school theater teacher in Texas, resigned rather than comply with a new law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. As public school districts navigate this controversial mandate, many are faced with difficult decisions amidst ongoing federal challenges regarding the separation of church and state.

DALLAS — Gigi Cervantes, a high school theater teacher, made the difficult decision to resign from her teaching position in Fort Worth, Texas, after a new state law mandated the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. I just was not going to be a part of forcing or imposing religious doctrine onto my students, Cervantes stated.

The Texas law aimed to hang the Ten Commandments in public schools has led to significant controversy and disruption within school districts as they attempt to navigate the new requirements. Many educators like Cervantes have found themselves questioning the implications of the law on their students' freedom and constitutional rights.

While some districts have rushed to comply with the law, such as the Frisco Independent School District, which spent $1,800 on printing nearly 5,000 posters, others have hesitated. Courts have intervened, halting the installation of these religious displays in over two dozen districts, citing violations of First Amendment protections against the establishment of religion.

The displays must be clearly visible from anywhere in a classroom, catering to those with average vision, the law stipulates, placing school districts in a precarious position between adherence to legal mandates and upholding the rights of their diverse student bodies.

In response to growing concerns about the implications of the law, some districts, such as Galveston Independent School District, have opted to postpone compliance until the law's constitutionality is reviewed in court, facing backlash from state officials.

The situation raises pressing questions for educators about tolerance for differing beliefs and the role of religious teachings in the public education system. Teachers have expressed confusion and concern over how to address student inquiries regarding the posted commandments, highlighting the challenges facing those in the classroom.

As community members rally both for and against this law, the debate over the intersection of faith and education in Texas continues, prompting discussions about the moral and ethical responsibilities of educators in a diverse society.