Texas is set to become the largest state in the nation to mandate that every public school classroom display a copy of the Ten Commandments, with advocates fearing a further erosion of church and state and the legislation’s sponsor making clear that’s a separation she doesn’t believe in.

While Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has not yet signed the measure, which comes as red states are increasingly seeking to inject Christianity into public education, he told lawmakers in early May to “get this bill to my desk. I'll make it law.”

Under the legislation, beginning September 1, every school in Texas will be required to display a 16 inch by 20 inch poster of the Ten Commandments. While they won’t be required to buy them with district funds, they will be required to display them if donated.

The legislation also effectively creates an official state version of the Ten Commandments, because only one specific iteration meets the new statute: a King James Bible-derived list of “Thou shalt nots” that is used by many Baptists and evangelicals but not by a majority of Catholics, Jews, protestants or Eastern Orthodox Christians.

Critics argue the bill is a clear violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the federal government from creating a state religion.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas on Wednesday announced it would sue.........

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