Louisiana Becomes First State to Mandate Display of Ten Commandments in Public School Classrooms

In a groundbreaking move, Louisiana has become the first state to require the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. Republican Governor Jeff Landry signed the bill into law on Wednesday, despite concerns about its constitutionality.

The legislation, drafted by the GOP, states that a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments must be prominently placed in all public classrooms, ranging from kindergarten to state-funded universities. The text should be in a large and easily readable font, according to the new law.

Although the bill did not receive final approval from Governor Landry, the time for his action to sign or veto the bill has lapsed. This paves the way for potential legal challenges, as opponents of the law question its constitutionality.

Proponents of the measure argue that it is not solely religious but also holds historical significance. They describe the Ten Commandments as "foundational documents of our state and national government" in the law's language.

However, several organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, have joined forces to file a lawsuit against the new Louisiana legislation. They argue that the law violates the separation of church and state and is blatantly unconstitutional.

State Senator Royce Duplessis, a Democrat, also expressed opposition to the legislation, emphasizing the importance of the separation of church and state. He suggested that if parents want their children to learn about the Ten Commandments, they can take them to church.

The display of the Ten Commandments, to be accompanied by a "context statement," must be in place in all classrooms by the beginning of 2025. The funding for the posters will come from donations, as state funds will not be utilized for implementing the mandate, as per the legislation.

The law also permits, but does not require, the display of other historical documents such as the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance in K-12 public schools.

State House Representative Dodie Horton, the author of the bill, defended its intent before the House, stating that the Ten Commandments serve as the basis for all laws in Louisiana. She expressed hope that Louisiana would lead the way in reintroducing moral teachings into classrooms.

Similar bills proposing the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms have been introduced in other states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah. However, due to the potential legal battles surrounding their constitutionality, no state besides Louisiana has succeeded in enacting these bills into law.

The issue of displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms has a history of legal disputes. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar Kentucky law unconstitutional, citing a violation of the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

Louisiana's controversial law emerges during a period of conservative leadership in the state. Governor Landry, a Republican, replaced two-term Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in January. With Republicans holding a two-thirds supermajority in the Legislature and occupying every statewide elected position, conservative lawmakers have been able to advance their agenda during the recently concluded legislative session.

The implementation of this new law in Louisiana is poised to have significant implications for the ongoing debate surrounding the separation of church and state in the United States.