Activist Teachers Plot To Defy Texas’ New Ten Commandments Law

By Brandon Waltens | Texas Scorecard | August 19, 2025

As Texas prepares to implement its new law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom beginning September 1, some teachers are already vowing to ignore it.

On the Reddit community Texas Teachers, with more than 17,000 members, dozens of educators are boasting that they will not follow the law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this summer.

Senate Bill 10, passed by the legislature this spring, requires every classroom in public elementary and secondary schools to display a framed copy or durable poster of the Ten Commandments in a “conspicuous place.” The poster must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall and must include the exact wording of the Ten Commandments written into the statute. No additions or alterations are allowed.

Importantly, schools are not required to purchase the posters, though they may do so with district funds. Instead, the law requires that schools must accept and display any donated copy that meets the requirements. To ensure districts are protected, the law also requires the Texas Attorney General to defend schools in any lawsuit brought over compliance.

Unless a court blocks it, districts are expected to have the posters in place when the law goes into effect next month.

But some teachers say they plan to trash the posters rather than display them.

“Most of us will not comply. We know where this goes if we do. Do. Not. Comply,” wrote one history teacher, who admitted to tearing up or throwing away multiple posters already issued.

Another user described plans to decorate the mandated poster with rainbow colors, while others encouraged each other to lie about posters being “damaged and/or lost.” One even suggested replacing the Ten Commandments with a “Gonzales flag with two stone tablets.”

Teachers also linked their refusal to broader ideological agendas. Several said they would defend LGBT “Pride” decorations with “biblical references to Noah,” while others shared frustrations about losing DEI materials. One poster admitted their classroom is “literally rainbow all over” and promised to post “10 Science Commandments” alongside the Ten Commandments.

Despite working in publicly funded schools, some educators went so far as to mock parents who might support the new law, dismissing them as “Karens” for wanting classrooms to reflect Texas values instead of progressive politics.

Meanwhile, the law is facing a lawsuit from the ACLU and several families claiming it violates the U.S. Constitution. A federal judge in San Antonio is expected to rule on the case before September 1. Unless blocked, however, the law remains in effect—and teachers are obligated to comply.

Supporters of the legislation say the Ten Commandments reflect the nation’s heritage and moral foundation. “If teachers are unwilling to follow a simple law passed by elected representatives,” one parent asked after seeing the posts, “why should they be trusted with our children at all?”

Vanessa Sivadge, president and founder of Protecting Texas Children, said the law reflects values that Texas parents overwhelmingly support.

“We believe that honoring the foundational moral teachings reflected in God’s Word supports the preservation of innocence and reinforces timeless principles of truth and responsibility,” Sivadge told Texas Scorecard. “By allowing these sacred standards to remain visible in our schools, Texas affirms its commitment to shaping a culture where children can grow in both faith and character—guided not by secular ideologies, but by the clear and enduring values rooted in Scripture.”

With the law set to take effect in less than two weeks, Texans may soon see whether school districts choose to uphold it or side with activist teachers who proudly declare they will break it.

Brandon Waltens

Brandon serves as the Senior Editor for Texas Scorecard. After managing successful campaigns for top conservative legislators and serving as a Chief of Staff in the Texas Capitol, Brandon moved outside the dome in order to shine a spotlight on conservative victories and establishment corruption in Austin. @bwaltens