Louisiana has made history by becoming the first state to pass a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. The bill, signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, mandates that a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in a large, easily readable font must be present in all public classrooms, from kindergarten to state-funded universities. Despite not receiving final approval from Landry, the deadline for gubernatorial action has passed.
Opponents of the law raise concerns about its constitutionality, predicting that lawsuits are likely to ensue. Supporters argue that the measure is not purely religious but also holds historical significance. The law frames the Ten Commandments as foundational documents of the state and national government.
These displays, accompanied by a context statement describing the historical role of the Ten Commandments in American public education, must be in place by the beginning of 2025. Funding for the posters will come from donations, as state funds will not be utilized for this mandate.
The law also permits, though does not require, the display of the Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, and Northwest Ordinance in K-12 public schools.
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Soon after the bill became law, civil rights groups and organizations advocating for the separation of religion and government pledged to challenge it in court. They argue that the law hinders equal education and creates an unsafe environment for students with diverse beliefs.
Similar bills proposing the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms have emerged in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah. However, due to legal concerns surrounding these measures, Louisiana stands as the only state where such a bill has been successfully passed into law.
The controversy surrounding the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms is not new. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a Kentucky law for violating the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution. This clause prohibits the government from favoring or endorsing any specific religion.
Louisiana’s contentious law comes amid a shift towards conservative leadership in the state under Gov. Landry, following the tenure of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards. With a two-thirds supermajority in the Legislature and Republicans holding all statewide elected positions, the state government has been able to advance a conservative agenda during the recent legislative session.
