A new law permitting Ten Commandments displays in Louisiana schools raises questions about church-state separation in the U.S. The law requires posters of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms. Opponents argue that the display will be an example of forced religion on non-believing students.
The Louisiana Law in Question
Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, have initiated legal action to halt Louisiana’s law that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. The new law requires public K-12 classrooms and state-funded universities to exhibit a poster-sized replica of the Ten Commandments. Supporters claim these religious documents have historical significance as fundamental governmental texts.
The law imposes requirements for these displays by 2025, funded through donations rather than state funds. Opponents argue that such displays violate church-state separation, potentially isolating non-Christian students. Previous U.S. Supreme Court rulings have opposed similar laws as breaches of the Establishment Clause. The ACLU’s lawsuit seeks a judicial declaration deeming the law unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
BREAKING: We're challenging a new law in Louisiana that forces public schools to display a state-approved version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Public schools are not Sunday schools.
Louisiana public schools must remain welcoming to all students, regardless of…
— ACLU (@ACLU) June 24, 2024
Proponents and Opposition
Representative Dodie Horton, the bill’s sponsor, intended to display “God’s law” in classrooms, positioning it as a moral guide. Louisiana’s Attorney General, Elizabeth Murrill, supports the law, prepared to defend it vigorously, highlighting perceived inconsistencies in First Amendment advocacy by organizations like the ACLU. Governor Jeff Landry signed the bill, emphasizing its foundational importance. Similar legislation has been considered in Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah.
“Seeks to have a display of God’s law in the classroom for children to see what He says is right and what He says is wrong,” said Representative Dodie Horton.
Critics argue the requirement imposes religious beliefs and conflicts with constitutional protections. Concern arises over which Ten Commandments version will be used, given variations across religious traditions. The court case is significant, with possible implications for religious freedom and secular governance. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles oversees the case. The legal battle continues against a backdrop of historical church-state conflicts in Louisiana.
The governor of Louisiana has signed a bill requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom in the conservative US state, reigniting the debate over separation of church and statehttps://t.co/QeC6uGoh0E
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 19, 2024
Broader Implications and Historical Context
The law emerges during a trend of religious right victories, including a 2022 Supreme Court ruling protecting religious expression in schools. Louisiana’s legal history includes notable church-state separation challenges, such as the 1987 Supreme Court case on creation science teaching alongside evolution. The current legal proceedings may serve as a bellwether for similar legislative efforts nationwide. Participants in the debate remain vigilant, asserting either the constitutional affirmation of religious freedom or secularism’s inviolability.
“It seems the ACLU only selectively cares about the First Amendment —it doesn’t care when the Biden administration censors speech or arrests pro-life protesters, but apparently it will fight to prevent posters that discuss our own legal history,” said Elizabeth Murrill.
As the nation watches closely, this issue could resonate deeply with cultural and ideological tensions, impacting future church-state separation debates. The challenge will test and potentially redefine boundaries between religious traditions and state governance. The verdict may leave an indelible mark on American society, influencing both local and national dialogues on balancing constitutional freedoms with diverse societal beliefs.
