A Harris County judge on Friday declined to issue an emergency order blocking Texas' new requirement that public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments, keeping the law in place for now as a lawsuit filed by three Houston-area mothers moves toward a preliminary injunction hearing expected later this month.

Supporters of the mandate immediately hailed the ruling as a win.

One backer said they were "grateful for the court's decision today declining to block the Texas 10 Commandment Law," arguing the display is about "acknowledging our nation's history" and "legal heritage," not forcing students to adopt religious beliefs.