Interfaith Alliance Welcomes Permanent Injunction Prohibiting Ten Commandments Display in Arkansas Schools

Interfaith Alliance, a leading national advocate for religious freedom and civil rights, welcomed a new judicial ruling that blocks unconstitutional religious coercion in public schools. In Stinson v. Fayetteville School District No. 1, the federal district court issued a permanent injunction against an Arkansas law that requires all public schools to permanently display a government-chosen, Protestant version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom and library.

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks ruled that the law violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause. He noted that “the only reason to display a sacred, religious text in every classroom is to proselytize to children.”

Interfaith Alliance has organized with partners to oppose Arkansas’ harmful law, and similar unconstitutional laws in states across the country. In 2025, the group co-organized a letter from 42 Arkansas faith leaders opposing the legislation, who argued that “The government oversteps its authority when it dictates an official state-approved version of any religious text.” Interfaith Alliance also signed an amicus brief from diverse faith organizations to the court, urging it to strike down the law. 

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement welcoming the District Court’s ruling:

“This decision upholds true religious freedom for public school students in Arkansas. It’s proof that when we as Americans organize, mobilize and fight back against religious coercion and Christian nationalism, we can win. 

As a pastor who believes deeply in America’s commitment to religious freedom and a parent of public schoolchildren, I am energized by this victory against the ongoing push to break down critical boundaries between government and religion in education. I’m relieved to see our courts standing up to blatant efforts to proselytize to students.

Laws like the one just struck down in Arkansas have been popping up in states across the country, and we won’t stop mobilizing until every single one of these unconstitutional bills have been taken off the books. We are the true force for religious freedom and the First Amendment in this country – and we have the Constitution and the large majority of the American people on our side.”

Contact: Ben DePasquale, [email protected]

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‍Interfaith Alliance and Interfaith Alliance Foundation are a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information, visit interfaithalliance.org.

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