1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

This is a reminder, not a suggestion. The United States Constitution is explicit. The First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” That principle applies fully to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment and has repeatedly been affirmed by federal courts. There is no ambiguity, no loophole, and no room for political convenience. Texas is not a Christian state. It is part of a nation founded on religious freedom and government neutrality toward religion. Your oath of office was not sworn to Christianity, or to any faith, or to the demands of religious groups. It was sworn to the Constitution of the United States. When Texas officials promote one religion, legislate based on religious doctrine, mandate religious expression in public institutions, or claim divine authority for public policy, they violate that oath. Recent actions in Texas highlight why this constitutional clarity matters: • Mandating the Ten Commandments in public schools In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 10, a law requiring all public elementary and secondary school classrooms in the state to display a specific version of the Ten Commandments. The law was signed by the Governor and took effect in September, but multiple federal judges have found it likely violates the First Amendment’s prohibition on government establishment of religion. A federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the law in some districts and required removal of already-posted displays, concluding the mandate likely coerces students and privileges particular religious scripture. Plaintiffs in these cases include Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist, and nonreligious families asserting that the law violates both the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses. • Ongoing litigation across Texas Despite federal rulings that S.B. 10 is unconstitutional, school districts continue to contend with enforcement and implementation challenges. New lawsuits — including class-action challenges — have been filed to stop Ten Commandments displays across hundreds of districts that are not yet covered by court orders, underscoring the continued controversy and constitutional concerns. • State pressure on religious/educational participation in voucher programs Texas Acting Comptroller officials have sought legal guidance on whether schools linked to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) or alleged foreign affiliations should be barred from participating in the state’s new private school voucher program — a move that civil rights advocates warn could violate First Amendment protections by penalizing schools based on perceived religious associations. • Legislative pushes for prayer and religious practices in public schools Alongside S.B. 10, other measures proposed in the Legislature — including bills to require daily periods for prayer or religious reading in public school settings — have raised fresh church-state concerns about government-sponsored religious activities in institutions that serve a diverse student body. Religious freedom does not mean the freedom to impose your beliefs through law. It means the freedom for every Texan to believe—or not believe—without government interference, coercion, or favoritism. That includes Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, and everyone else who calls Texas home. History is unambiguous. Our founders rejected religious rule because they understood exactly where it leads: coercion, exclusion, and the erosion of liberty. They created a secular government so faith could remain voluntary, meaningful, and free — protected from the corrupting force of state power. Invoking religion to justify Texas laws, public policy, or government action is not patriotism. It is unconstitutional. Using the power of the state to elevate one faith above others is not leadership. It is a direct violation of the First Amendment. The Constitution is not optional. It is not a slogan. It is the supreme law of the land — binding on Texas just as it is on every other state. Do your job. Honor your oath. Stop using religion as a political weapon and start governing within the limits the Constitution clearly sets. Texas belongs to all its people — not one religion.