Louisiana has become the first U.S. state to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, under a new law signed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry. The legislation, known as House Bill 71, requires that all classrooms in schools receiving state funding, from kindergarten to college level, display the Ten Commandments in large, easily readable fonts.
Former President Donald Trump has voiced his support for the measure, stating that it could be a significant step in reviving religion in the country. Trump, who has been courting religious voters ahead of the upcoming elections, praised the law on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The law stipulates that the text of the Ten Commandments must be the central focus of the poster or framed document. Additionally, the posters will include a context statement describing the historical significance of the Ten Commandments in American public education over the past three centuries. The posters are to be funded through donations, with no state funds being used to implement the mandate.
Civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, have vowed to challenge the law in court. They argue that it is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment, which prohibits the establishment of a national religion or the preference of one religion over another. Opponents believe that the law could lead to religious coercion and make students of different beliefs feel excluded and unsafe.
Supporters of the law argue that the Ten Commandments are not only religious but also have historical significance as foundational documents of the state and national government. They cite a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed a high school football coach to pray on the field, suggesting that the ruling lowered the bar between Church and State and could lead to greater religious expressions in public spaces.
The law also authorizes, but does not require, the display of other historical documents such as the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance in public schools. The mandate is set to be implemented by early 2025.
- The new law in Louisiana has sparked a nationwide debate on the separation of Church and State, with many civil rights organizations preparing to challenge its constitutionality in court. The ACLU and other groups argue that the law imposes religious doctrine on students and families in public schools, which is a violation of the First Amendment.
- Despite the controversy, supporters of the law believe that it will instill a moral code in classrooms and highlight the historical importance of the Ten Commandments in the development of American legal and governmental systems. They see the measure as a way to reinforce traditional values and principles in education.
- Louisiana's move comes amid a broader push by conservative lawmakers in other states, such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah, to introduce similar legislation. However, Louisiana is the first state to successfully pass such a law, setting a precedent for potential future legal battles over the intersection of religion and public education.
