---
title: "Displaying the Ten Commandments in schools"
description: "Religion & Public Life A weekly digest of the Center’s latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · Subscribe ↗ Media mentions This secular congressman is urging Democrats to fight Christian nationalism Aug. 19 – The Washington Post * Senate hopeful Talarico touts his faith. Texas Republicans call it blasphemy […]"
date: "2026-08-19"
authors:
  - name: "Rebecca Leppert"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/newsletter/religion-weekly/displaying-the-ten-commandments-in-schools/"
---

# Displaying the Ten Commandments in schools

---

August 19, 2026

## Religion & Public Life

*A weekly digest of the Center's latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · [**Subscribe ↗**](https://pewresearch.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=434f5d1199912232d416897e4&id=3e953b9b70)*

---

## [Displaying the Ten Commandments in schools](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/06/22/many-americans-favor-prayer-in-public-schools-but-few-think-it-should-be-mandatory/)

This week, the [Supreme Court was asked to review a Texas law](https://apnews.com/article/ten-commandments-texas-law-supreme-court-facb4b90c54fba5c1d0b3e63079c8b4b) requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama have all recently enacted similar laws.

Half of Americans favor displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, according to [a Pew Research Center survey conducted in April](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/06/22/many-americans-favor-prayer-in-public-schools-but-few-think-it-should-be-mandatory/). Views on the matter are largely divided by party and religious affiliation. While most Republicans (72%) favor displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, the majority of Democrats (69%) *oppose* the practice.

The same survey found that while many Americans favor allowing public school teachers to lead their classes in prayer, relatively few people think it should be mandatory for students to participate in [teacher-led school prayer](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/06/22/many-americans-favor-prayer-in-public-schools-but-few-think-it-should-be-mandatory/).

#### Media mentions

[This secular congressman is urging Democrats to fight Christian nationalism](https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2026/08/19/this-secular-congressman-is-urging-democrats-fight-christian-nationalism/)
Aug. 19 - The Washington Post *

[Senate hopeful Talarico touts his faith. Texas Republicans call it blasphemy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/16/senate-hopeful-talarico-touts-his-faith-texas-republicans-call-it-blasphemy/)
Aug. 16 - The Washington Post *

#### In the news

[In Israel, military service debate spotlights ultra-Orthodox Jews and their growing clout](https://apnews.com/article/israel-ultraorthodox-haredi-jews-military-draft-elections-570857b82b2d83cf46efcc246faa8ab9)
Aug. 19 - The Associated Press

[DOJ investigations into alleged antisemitism at Ivy League universities had predetermined conclusions: Whistleblower](https://abcnews.com/Politics/doj-investigations-alleged-antisemitism-ivy-league-universities-predetermined/story?id=135746405)
Aug. 18 - ABC News

[Childhood vaccine exemptions for personal or religious reasons hit new record](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/vaccine-exemptions-personal-religious-measles-cdc-rcna592960)
Aug. 17 - NBC News

[Florida bishops push back on funding threats over vaccines](https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/state/2026/08/17/florida-bishops-fight-uthmeier-over-school-funding-threats/91340779007/)
Aug. 17 - Tallahassee Democrat *

[As ICE closes in, Ohio churches line up families to care for Haitian kids left behind](https://religionnews.com/2026/08/17/as-ice-closes-in-ohio-churches-line-up-families-to-care-for-haitian-kids-left-behind/)
Aug. 17 - Religion News Service

[Islamophobia’s rise in Texas: ‘I won’t rest until every Muslim is gone’](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/17/us/politics/islamophobia-texas.html)
Aug. 17 - The New York Times *

[Idaho must allow abortions to preserve women's health, U.S. judge rules](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/idaho-must-allow-abortions-preserve-womens-health-us-judge-rules-2026-08-14/)
Aug. 14 - Reuters *

[Australian jury convicts former Catholic bishop of sexually abusing 2 men](https://apnews.com/article/australia-bishop-sexual-abuse-broome-catholic-1802fe4b6c2de27e1253f636abb6e502)
Aug. 13 - The Associated Press

[Nigerian faith leaders sign peace accord months after Trump remarks](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-faith-leaders-sign-peace-accord-months-after-trump-remarks-2026-08-13/)
Aug. 13 - Reuters *

[Who is a Jew? California considers a small box with big implications](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/us/california-jewish-ethnic-identity.html)
Aug. 13 - The New York Times *