The recent passing of a law in Louisiana, signed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry, has sparked fierce debate over the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. The law, which took effect last week, requires all K-12 classrooms and state-funded universities to display a poster-sized version of the Ten Commandments in a “large, easily readable font” by the start of 2025. Opponents of the measure, including parents of Louisiana public school children, the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, have filed a lawsuit challenging the law, citing violations of separation of church and state and the potential to isolate students, particularly those who are not Christian.
Proponents of the law argue that the display is not solely religious, but rather has historical significance as “foundational documents of our state and national government.” This is in line with the language of the law, which describes the Ten Commandments as such. However, this argument has been met with skepticism by opponents, who point to the long history of lawsuits surrounding the display of the Ten Commandments in public spaces.
The US Supreme Court has weighed in on this issue on several occasions. In 1980, the Court ruled that a similar Kentucky law violated the establishment clause of the US Constitution, holding that the law had no secular purpose but rather served a plainly religious purpose. In more recent decisions, the Court has held that displays of the Ten Commandments in courthouses and on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol violated the Constitution.
Republican Governor Jeff Landry (Via Jeff Landry/Twitter)
The Louisiana law has garnered significant attention, as it is the first of its kind to be enacted in the United States. Other states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah, have attempted to pass similar laws, but none have succeeded due to the threat of legal battles. The law has been met with criticism from civil liberties groups, who argue that it is an unconstitutional infringement on the separation of church and state.
The law was signed into effect during a period of conservative leadership in Louisiana, with Governor Landry replacing two-term Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in January. The Republicans hold a super-majority in the Louisiana Legislature, and every statewide elected position, allowing them to push through a conservative agenda. This has led to concerns that the law is a symptom of a larger trend towards increased religious influence in public policy.
The display of the Ten Commandments in Louisiana public school classrooms has sparked a heated debate over the separation of church and state. While proponents of the law argue that it has historical significance, opponents see it as an unconstitutional infringement on religious freedom. As the lawsuit challenges the law moves forward, it remains to be seen how the court will ultimately rule on the constitutionality of the display.
