AUSTIN, TX – A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction halting a contentious Texas law that would have required every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments. The ruling, handed down late Wednesday, prevents the law from taking effect while a legal challenge against it proceeds, dealing a significant blow to a measure championed by the state's conservative leadership.

In his decision, the U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Texas found that the plaintiffs—a coalition of civil liberties groups, educators, and Texas families—were likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the law violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The clause prohibits government from making any law "respecting an establishment of religion."

The law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott earlier this year after passing through the Republican-controlled legislature, mandated that a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments, in a "size and typeface that is legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom," be displayed in a "conspicuous place" in every K-12 public school classroom starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Constitutional Challenge and Legal Precedent

The lawsuit was filed in June by organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. They argued that the law is an unconstitutional government endorsement of a specific religious text, effectively coercing students of diverse faiths and no faith at all.

"Public schools are not Sunday schools," said an attorney for the ACLU of Texas in a statement following the ruling. "This injunction is a critical victory for religious freedom. The government should not be in the business of telling students which religious beliefs they should hold."

The judge's ruling leaned heavily on established legal precedent, most notably the 1980 Supreme Court case Stone v. Graham. In that case, the Court struck down a nearly identical Kentucky law, ruling that its purpose was "plainly religious in nature" and had no secular legislative purpose, despite arguments that the text had historical significance. The court concluded that such displays on school walls served to "induce the schoolchildren to read, meditate upon, perhaps to venerate and obey, the Commandments."

The State's Position and What Comes Next

Supporters of the Texas law have defended it as a necessary step to restore moral principles in education. They argue that the Ten Commandments represent a foundational document for both American and Western legal traditions. A spokesperson for the Texas Attorney General's office expressed disappointment with the ruling and signaled the state’s intent to appeal.

"The Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of our legal system and a part of our nation's heritage," the spokesperson said. "We are confident that the law is constitutional and will continue to fight to defend it in court."

The temporary injunction means the law is on hold indefinitely as the case moves forward. The state of Texas is expected to appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, a court known for its conservative leanings. Legal experts suggest the case could eventually be a candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court, which has in recent years shown more accommodation for religious expression in public life.

For now, Texas schools will not be required to prepare for the displays as the new school year approaches. The ruling marks the latest flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over the role of religion in public education and the interpretation of the separation of church and state.