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, making it mandatory for schools to have a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in easily readable font. The legislation applies to all public classrooms, from kindergarten to state-funded universities.

While the bill did not receive final approval from Governor Landry, the time for gubernatorial action has passed, essentially making it law. However, opponents of the measure question its constitutionality and warn that lawsuits are likely to follow. Despite this, proponents argue that the purpose of the mandate is not solely religious but also holds historical significance.

The law describes the Ten Commandments as "foundational documents of our state and national government." Alongside the display, a four-paragraph "context statement" must be included, explaining the historical importance of the commandments in American public education for nearly three centuries. The displays are expected to be in place by the beginning of 2025 and will be funded through donations, with no state funds allocated for their implementation.

In addition to the Ten Commandments, the law also authorizes the display of other historical documents such as the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance in K-12 public schools. However, it does not make their display mandatory.

Shortly after the governor signed the bill into law, civil rights groups and organizations advocating for the separation of church and state announced their plans to challenge the measure in court. They argue that the law prevents equal education opportunities for students and makes children with different beliefs feel unsafe in school. In a joint statement, the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation expressed concerns over the government taking sides in a theological debate.

Similar bills requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms have been proposed in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah. However, due to concerns regarding their constitutionality, no state besides Louisiana has succeeded in enacting such legislation.

The issue of displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms has triggered legal battles in the past. 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. The ruling stated that the law served a religious purpose rather than a secular one.

Louisiana's controversial law comes amid a new era of conservative leadership under Governor Landry, who took office in January, replacing the two-term Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. With a two-thirds supermajority in the Legislature and their dominance in statewide elected positions, Republicans have been able to advance a conservative legislative agenda during the recently concluded session.

As the legal battle over the constitutionality of the new law looms, the impact on public education and the separation of church and state will likely be closely watched.