A U.S. appeals court in the Fifth Circuit ruled by a narrow 9-8 margin that Texas may require public schools to display Ten Commandments posters in classrooms, reversing a lower court ruling and potentially influencing similar laws in Arkansas and Louisiana.

The majority held the SB10 law does not violate the Establishment or Free Exercise Clauses, arguing it is not an endorsement of worship nor an imposition on religious practice.

Supporters frame the Ten Commandments as historical foundations of U.S. law rather than a religious endorsement, while opponents warn the display pressures students and families and breaches church-state separation.

Governors and state officials emphasize alignment with national history and tradition, while critics stress protecting the separation of church and state and parental rights in religious instruction.

The decision fits into a broader Republican push to increase religious content in schools, a stance critics describe as unconstitutional.

Plaintiffs expressed disappointment and said they will appeal to the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling.

Opponents, including the ACLU, argue the ruling undermines the First Amendment and parental rights by promoting a Protestant-leaning state display.

The plaintiffs include 15 Texas families supported by associations, planning to seek Supreme Court review to defend church-state separation and parental choice in religious education.

Challengers comprising multifaith and nonreligious families say the decision undermines constitutional protections and will pursue Supreme Court review.

In a dissent, Judge Ramirez suggested the panel may be at odds with established precedent from an earlier Supreme Court decision striking down a nearly identical law.

Judge Higginson warned the ruling advances government-led religious display in classrooms, potentially violating the Establishment Clause.