The Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) challenged the practice after filing a complaint with the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct about Montgomery, Texas Judge Wayne Mack.
 
Mack is known to open each court session with prayer and he has a volunteer chaplain read Scriptures from the Bible.  

The group claimed that court room proceedings were "blatantly unconstitutional" and forced religious ceremony in court.           
 
Paxton contended that it does not violate the Establishment Clause to open a court session with the statement "God save the State of Texas and this Honorable Court" or to open court with a prayer, or have a volunteer chaplain read from the Bible. 
 
"Both the United States Supreme Court and the Texas Supreme Court have longstanding practices of opening their sessions with (the)  invocation "God save the United States (or the 'State of Texas)  and this Honorable Court," the Attorney General wrote.  
 
"The Court has explained that the recitation of this type of phrase at the opening of court sessions is like legislative prayer in that it is 'part of our heritage and tradition, and part of our expressive idiom,'" the opinion states. 
 
According to the Office of Attorney General website, although the AG's opinion is a non-binding legal opinion it is a "written interpretation of existing law." 
 
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick considers this opinion a major step forward.
 
"This is a sure victory for religious liberty in Texas," he said. "This opinion goes a long way in providing the necessary clarity to Judge Mack, and judges throughout Texas, of constitutionally appropriate court room prayer and volunteer-led chaplaincy programs. As Lt. Governor, I will continue to fight for religious liberty across the state."
 
Chelsey Youman, Counsel for First Liberty, told Breitbart Paxton's opinion confirms that Texas judges can open courtroom session with prayer. She also explained that it stands as a strong indication that the FFRF will not be able to move forward with removing the practice from court proceedings. 
 
"All three branches of government have a long history of recognizing the role religion plays in society. We are grateful that the Attorney General's opinion reaffirms the constitutionality of Judge Mack's courtroom invocation and volunteer chaplaincy program," she said.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Courageous: Worship Leader Sean Feucht Prepares to Confront Anti-Israel Evil, Darkness, and Horror

'Australian Censorship Commissar' Orders X to Globally Remove Video of Islamic Terror Attack on Christian Bishop

New Emails Expose Biden's Connection to Whistleblower Who Got Trump Impeached

Tennessee Passes Bill Letting Teachers Carry Guns at Schools

Transgender Movement Is Losing Its Influence on Social Media to Shut Down Debate

Ohio Attorney General Breaks Down Leftist Legal 'Trick' to Block GOP Efforts to Protect Kids

Nearly 2,000 Minnesota Students, 15 Teachers Walk Out of LGBTQ 'Indoctrination' Lesson

Pro-Life Advocates to Hold Prayer and Worship Service at the United States Supreme Court on the Eve of 'Idaho v. United States' Abortion Case

'Just a Disaster': Biden's Title IX Rule Empowers LGBTQ Movement, Erases Women and Justice

WATCH: Brave School Girl Reveals in Graphic Detail How TRANS Student Savagely Assaulted Her Friend While Blasting Woke School Officials for Letting it Happen

United For Israel March Happening on the Columbia University Campus, April 25th

As Anti-Israel Activists Vandalize Texas Congressman's Office, He 'Stands With Israel'

Did Letitia James Accidentally Reveal the Real Reason for Her Trump Witch Hunt?

Unredacted Motion Reveals Collaboration between Biden White House and NARA to Concoct Classified Docs Case against Trump

Report: the WHO Makes Major Changes to the Pandemic Treaty, and They're Good Ones; But Will It Last?

Israelis Remember Hostages, Fallen Soldiers, Terror Victims as Passover Begins

She Survived a Death Camp. Facing Biden DOJ Charges, She Is Prepared to Die in Prison

Planned Parenthood Committed 392,712 Abortions, Received $699.3 Million in Taxpayer Funding in 2023

Student Loan Forgiveness: Morally Reprehensible and Legally Invalid

Columbia Classes Go Virtual Before Passover Amid Protests