**Federal Judge Blocks Louisiana Law Mandating Ten Commandments Displays**

In a notable decision, a federal judge has temporarily blocked a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public classroom by early 2025. The judge argued that the law clearly breaches the US Constitution's first amendment, which prohibits government establishment of religion and ensures religious freedom.

This ruling is a significant triumph for opponents who claim the law infringes on the principle of separation between church and state. Critics contend that enforcing the display of the Ten Commandments in schools could alienate non-Christian students. Advocates of the measure, however, maintain that it's not purely religious but underscores the historical foundation of US law.

US District Judge John W. deGravelles of Baton Rouge, appointed during Barack Obama's presidency, issued the preliminary injunction in an ongoing lawsuit initiated by Louisiana public school parents. In response, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed strong disagreement with the ruling and confirmed plans to appeal.

Should an appeal proceed, the case will be reviewed by the 5th Circuit, known for its conservative leanings, with 12 of its 17 active judges appointed by Republican presidents. The stalled Louisiana law was endorsed by a Republican-majority legislature and signed by Governor Jeff Landry, a prominent figure in the conservative state.

According to the law, the Ten Commandments must be displayed in large print within a frame of at least 11x14 inches in every public school classroom by January 1, and must include a "context statement" about their historical role in American public education. While the law permits the use of donated materials for the displays, it doesn’t mandate public spending.

Several Louisiana families, supported by human rights organizations, challenged the law in federal court earlier this year. Governor Landry's dismissive suggestion for objecting parents to instruct their kids to ignore the displays added fuel to the controversy.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana hailed the recent ruling as a victory for religious liberty. Their executive director, Alanah Odoms, emphasized that the decision upholds the right to choose one’s faith freely without state interference. Echoing this sentiment, plaintiff Rev. Darcy Roake lauded the ruling, emphasizing the importance of keeping secular and religious education separate.

The blocked legislation mirrors broader conservative efforts to integrate religious elements into education, illustrated by recent initiatives in Florida and Oklahoma. Despite similar legislative attempts in Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah, none have taken effect due to constitutional challenges. This decision reaffirms a 1980 US Supreme Court ruling, which found that mandating the Ten Commandments in schools has no secular purpose and thus violates the establishment clause of the Constitution.