Baton Rouge, Louisiana has set a precedence by becoming the first state to pass a law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. The bill, signed into law by Republican Governor Jeff Landry, requires a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in all public classrooms, including kindergarten up to state-funded universities.
While some argue that the law raises concerns about its constitutionality and predict possible legal challenges, supporters emphasize the historical significance of the measure. The law describes the Ten Commandments as “foundational documents of our state and national government,” aiming to highlight their importance beyond religious connotations.
Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, have expressed intentions to challenge the law through a lawsuit. They argue that the law violates the separation of church and state, and goes against the First Amendment by imposing specific religious beliefs in public school settings.
The law requires the display of the Ten Commandments along with a contextual statement in classrooms by the beginning of 2025, with funding for the posters to come from donations rather than state funds. In addition to the Ten Commandments, the legislation “authorizes” but does not require the display of other historical documents like the Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, and Northwest Ordinance in public schools.
State Representative Dodie Horton, the author of the bill, defended the legislation by emphasizing the moral and educational value of displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms. She believes that reintroducing this moral code into schools represents a positive step towards instilling values in students.
Similar bills proposing the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms have been introduced in other states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah. However, Louisiana succeeded in passing the law while avoiding the legal hurdles faced by other states considering similar measures.
In the broader context of legal battles over displaying religious symbols in schools, the controversial law in Louisiana demonstrates a shift towards conservative leadership and values in a state traditionally known for its religious conservatism. With a predominantly Republican legislature and executive branch, the state has paved the way for a conservative agenda during the recent legislative session, leading to the enactment of laws like the one mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.