DALLAS

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that Texas can require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, handing a victory to conservatives who have long pushed for a greater religious presence in public education.

In a 9–8 decision, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans rejected arguments that the mandate amounts to government-led religious indoctrination. The ruling also bolsters supporters of similar laws in Arkansas and Louisiana.

“No child is made to recite the Commandments, believe them, or affirm their divine origin,” the majority opinion stated.

Opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups that challenged the Texas law on behalf of parents, have argued that posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms proselytizes to students. In a joint statement, they said they plan to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when and if to provide their children with religious instruction. This decision tramples those rights,” they said in a statement.

The groups said they plan to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

By James Kisoo