Court Strikes Down Louisiana Law Mandating Ten Commandments In Public School Classrooms

 

A federal appeals court has ruled that Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom is unconstitutional, marking a significant win for civil liberties advocates and reinforcing the principle of separation between church and state.

The decision, issued Friday by a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, struck down the controversial mandate on the grounds that it violates the First Amendment, which prohibits government establishment of religion.

The Legal Challenge

The case was brought by parents of public school students from a variety of religious backgrounds, who argued that the law infringed on their children's rights by promoting religious doctrine in a state-run educational setting. Civil liberties groups, including Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the ACLU, supported the plaintiffs.

“This is a resounding victory for the separation of church and state and public education,” said Heather L. Weaver, senior staff attorney with the ACLU. “Public schools are not Sunday schools, and they must welcome all students, regardless of faith.”

The court's ruling upholds an earlier decision by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, who blocked the law from being enforced and ordered the state’s education department to inform all school boards of the mandate’s unconstitutionality.

A Divisive Issue

The law, signed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry last June, was part of a broader effort by conservative lawmakers to incorporate religious elements into public education. Supporters claim the Ten Commandments have historical and legal significance, and thus merit a place in classrooms.

“The Ten Commandments are the foundation of our laws — serving both an educational and historical purpose,” Governor Landry said in response to the ruling. He also expressed support for an appeal.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill echoed the governor’s position and asserted that the ruling only applied to the five school districts directly involved in the lawsuit. She vowed to challenge the decision, potentially taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

However, civil liberties attorneys insist the ruling applies statewide. “All school districts in the state are bound to comply with the U.S. Constitution,” said Liz Hayes, spokesperson for Americans United. “Thus, all school districts must abide by this decision and should not post the Ten Commandments in their classrooms.”

Looking Ahead

Legal experts believe the case is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it could become a major test of how the current conservative majority interprets the Establishment Clause of the Constitution.

Similar measures in other states are already under legal scrutiny. Earlier this month, families in Arkansas filed a federal lawsuit challenging a nearly identical law. A similar bill in Texas is also awaiting gubernatorial approval.

The Supreme Court has addressed this issue before. In 1980, it ruled that a Kentucky law requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms was unconstitutional because it served a religious — not secular — purpose. In 2005, the Court struck down similar displays in Kentucky courthouses but allowed a monument on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol to remain.

As the debate continues, Louisiana’s attempt to mandate religious texts in public classrooms now stands as the latest chapter in a long-running national discussion about the role of religion in public life and education.