Religion

A federal appeals court has upheld a Texas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public-school classroom in the state. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports the ruling has significant implications for long-established ideas of the separation of church and state. Meanwhile a federal grand jury in Lubbock has indicted 14 people from Texas and Eastern New Mexico under allegations of conspiracy to sell stolen crude oil across state lines.

The movement, which stresses an overt role for a specific evangelical strain of Christianity in government, has been gaining strength nationwide in no small part because of Texas’ influence.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state can enforce its 2025 law requiring public schools to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments.

Texas State Representative Brent Money has formed the Sharia Free Texas Caucus, aligning with previous efforts by Texas Republicans targeting the Muslim community.

School boards had until March 1 to decide whether to establish a daily period for students and staff to pray or read religious texts.

Senate Bill 11, passed last year, requires Texas public school boards and charter school governing bodies to vote by March 1 on whether to implement periods for group religious activity.

Abbott declared the Council on American-Islamic Relations a foreign terrorist organization and a transnational criminal organization, invoking a 2023 Texas statute. CAIR is suing the governor, alleging violations of due process and freedom of speech.

Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display the biblical text in classrooms, has sparked multiple legal challenges from civil liberties groups.

Judges who decline to perform weddings based on their religious beliefs won't be violating state rules on judicial impartiality, the Texas Supreme Court said in a comment added to the state judicial conduct code Friday.

Last week, Texas Tech’s football team landed a commitment from a five-star prospect and top recruit in the class of 2027. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on LaDamion Guyton. A Texas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms is set to take effect September 1. However, Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports a court hearing on Friday could block that law from taking effect.