DALLAS (AP) — Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, a U.S. appeals court ruled Tuesday in a victory for conservatives who have long sought to incorporate more religion into schools. It sets up a potential clash at the U.S. Supreme Court over the issue in the future. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said in the decision that the law did not violate the First Amendment, which protects religious freedom and prevents the government from establishing a religion. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, called the ruling 'a major victory for Texas and our moral values.' “The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and it’s important that students learn from them every single day,” Paxton said. Organizations representing the families who challenged the law, including the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed their disappointment over the decision, stating, 'The court’s ruling goes against fundamental First Amendment principles and binding U.S. Supreme Court authority.' They emphasized that the First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the rights of families to choose how, when, and if to provide their children with religious instruction. The law is among the pushes by Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, to increase religious presence in public schools. Critics advocate that it violates the essential separation of church and state, whereas proponents argue that the Ten Commandments have historical significance and are foundational to U.S. law. This ruling is notable as it reverses a district court's judgment and follows arguments heard by the full court earlier in the year. The appeals court previously cleared a similar law in Louisiana, indicating a broader trend regarding the integration of religious teachings in public education across states.