Supporters of Texas' Ten Commandments display law argue its important for public school classrooms since the text shaped American law and history. Scholars disagree.

U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery said the Republican-led legislation that was signed into law in June by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott concerns the long-held principle of separation of church and state. In his opinion filed on Wednesday, he related his ruling to recent rulings in Arkansas and Louisiana, where judges also barred similar laws.