Louisiana has officially become the first state to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms. This requirement was signed into law by Republican Governor Jeff Landry, with the legislation stipulating that a poster-sized display with the commandments in a large, easily readable font must be present in classrooms from kindergarten through state-funded universities.
While critics question the constitutionality of the law and anticipate legal challenges, supporters argue that the measure is not solely religious but holds historical significance. The law describes the Ten Commandments as foundational documents of both state and national government.
The displays, to be accompanied by a contextual statement explaining their historical presence in American public education, must be in place by the beginning of 2025. Funding for the posters will come from donations, as state funds are prohibited from being used for this mandate.
Additionally, the law allows but does not require the display of other historical documents like the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance in K-12 public schools.
Following the bill signing, civil rights groups and organizations advocating for the separation of religion and government announced plans to challenge the law in court, stating that it hinders equal education and can make students of diverse beliefs feel unsafe.
Similar bills proposing the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms have surfaced in other states, but Louisiana remains the only state to successfully enact such legislation amid legal threats. Past legal battles over similar displays have resulted in rulings against their constitutionality based on the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution.
This controversial law arrives during a period of conservative leadership in Louisiana under Governor Landry, marking a shift towards a conservative agenda within the state’s government.
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