A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Texas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, citing concerns over constitutionality and the separation of church and state.

The law, set to take effect on September 1, faces legal challenges from families of various religious and nonreligious backgrounds, with civil liberties organizations like the ACLU arguing it violates constitutional principles.

Other states, such as Louisiana, have already seen courts declare similar laws unconstitutional, highlighting ongoing legal opposition to such measures.

Officials from Governor Abbott's office and the Texas Attorney General have not yet commented on the ruling, but legal experts anticipate possible appeals to the Supreme Court.

Affected school districts include Austin ISD, Houston ISD, and Plano ISD, with some stating they are monitoring the situation and have not yet adopted policies related to the law.

Proponents argue the law is a historical and cultural acknowledgment, citing previous court rulings that have upheld similar displays, and claim it does not impose coercion or restrict participation.

Advocacy groups and plaintiffs, including Rabbi Mara Nathan, welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that religious beliefs should be taught by families and faith communities, not public schools.

Supporters contend that the Ten Commandments are vital to understanding U.S. history and that the law is a passive display that does not endorse religion.

Legal protections under the First Amendment, including the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause, are central to the legal debate over the law.

The court's decision references historical and religious imagery, including a Rembrandt painting of Moses and Charlton Heston from 'The Ten Commandments,' and discusses the law's emphasis on religious references.

The case may proceed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and potentially to the Supreme Court, where a conservative majority could influence the future of church-state separation jurisprudence.

The law was passed by the Texas Legislature in May and signed by Governor Greg Abbott in June, making Texas the largest state to attempt such a measure.