A federal judge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has blocked a new state law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles yesterday, deemed the law “unconstitutional on its face,” citing its overtly religious intent. The decision temporarily halts the enforcement of the law while legal proceedings continue.
Judge deGravelles rejected arguments from state officials that the Ten Commandments hold historical relevance to the foundation of U.S. law, pointing out that no similar requirements exist for other foundational documents, such as the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. He emphasized that the law amounts to coercion, effectively forcing religious views upon students who are required by law to attend school for 177 days per year. Plaintiffs argued that the mandated displays would alienate students of diverse or non-Christian backgrounds, violating First Amendment protections against government establishment of religion.
The legislation, signed into law by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry earlier this year, requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms as posters or framed documents measuring at least 11 by 14 inches. Each display would need to include a context statement describing the commandments as a foundational influence on American public education for three centuries. While proponents claim the law is rooted in the historical influence of the Ten Commandments, critics maintain that its primary intent is religious.
Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill, a supporter of the law, announced her intention to appeal the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. She argued that the decision applies only to the five school boards named in the lawsuit—East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Tammany, Orleans, and Vernon parishes—and does not affect the state’s remaining 67 school systems. However, Murrill acknowledged that the ruling could discourage other districts from enforcing the law.
The law’s passage reflects a broader effort by conservative lawmakers to integrate religious principles into public education. Similar initiatives have surfaced in other Republican-led states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah. However, legal challenges have prevented such measures from taking effect elsewhere. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar law in Kentucky, ruling that it lacked a secular purpose and violated the First Amendment.
Critics argue that Louisiana’s law mirrors the issues addressed in the Kentucky case, where the Supreme Court determined that mandatory displays of the Ten Commandments served a religious purpose rather than a secular one. Judge deGravelles’ ruling aligns with this precedent, emphasizing that public schools must remain neutral spaces where students of all beliefs feel welcome.
The law’s requirement for tens of thousands of posters raises practical concerns as well. Supporters have suggested that schools use donations to cover the costs, rather than public funds. However, the logistical challenges of implementing the mandate, combined with the legal battles, have cast uncertainty over its future.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include a group of parents with children in Louisiana public schools, as well as representatives from various religious and nonreligious backgrounds. They argue that public schools should focus on secular education and leave religious instruction to families and faith communities.
As the case heads to the appeals process, its outcome could have far-reaching implications for the intersection of religion and public education in the United States. For now, Judge deGravelles’ ruling prevents the state from enforcing the law, preserving the constitutional principle of separation between church and state.
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