A federal judge temporarily blocked a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public classrooms by January 1, deeming it “unconstitutional on its face.”

U.S. District Judge John deGravelles ruled the law served an overtly religious purpose, violating the First Amendment’s separation of church and state.

He disagreed with claims that the Ten Commandments hold historical significance comparable to foundational U.S. documents, Politico has reported.

The law, passed by Louisiana’s Republican legislature, has been criticized for coercing students into religious exposure. State officials vowed to appeal the ruling.

Written by B.C. Begley