HOUSTON – A Houston rabbi is among a group of Texas families planning to take their legal fight over the Ten Commandments in public schools to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Rabbi Joshua Fixler, who sued Houston ISD, is one of 15 families involved in a multifaith lawsuit challenging the state law.
Last week, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld Senate Bill 10, which requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom across Texas.
The case—Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District—was brought by families of different religious backgrounds who argue the law violates their constitutional rights.
The plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Texas, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Houston rabbi raises concerns
Rabbi Fixler said he joined the lawsuit alongside other families after the law passed.
“It was unconstitutional and unacceptable to have the Christian version of the Ten Commandments hanging in our kids’ classrooms,” said Fixler.
He argues the law promotes a specific religious viewpoint in public schools.
“It’s the Christian version of the Ten Commandments and my kids would have to see that every day,” Fixler said. “It’s a real affront to religious freedom and the separation of church and state.”
Fixler also says the displays could send a message to students of other faiths.
“It would show them that they’re less welcome in their schools, that our religious tradition isn’t welcome,” said Fixler.
As a parent, he says some of the language in the Ten Commandments is not appropriate for young children.
“Things like adultery and coveting thy neighbor’s wife. I don’t think that’s age appropriate,” said Dixler.
Supporters call ruling a ‘victory’
Supporters of the law say the court got it right.
Jonathan Covey, the director of public policy for the group Texas Values, called the decision a major win.
“This is a huge victory,” Covey said. “This isn’t about establishing a religion, it’s about recognizing a historical text that has influenced our legal tradition in a passive, non-coercive way.”
Covey says the Constitution does not require religion to be removed from public life.
“The question actually isn’t whether something’s religious,” Covey said. “The question is whether the government is forcing people to participate in a religion. And here, it’s not.”
Supporters also say the displays could help students understand the country’s history and legal system.
“It helps remind students of our history and our tradition and how our legal system developed,” Covey said.
What happens next
Despite the ruling, Rabbi Fixler says the families involved are preparing to take the case to the next level.
“We’re working to take this to the next step, which is the Supreme Court,” said Fixler. “We’re going to keep on fighting because my kids deserve to go to schools where everybody’s faith is respected equally.”
Texas is one of four states requiring Ten Commandments displays in schools.