BATON ROUGE, LA. — A newly passed law in Louisiana mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms has been temporarily halted after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday.
The judge ruled that the law appears to be “unconstitutional on its face,” and indicated that plaintiffs have a strong case arguing that the statute infringes upon the First Amendment.

This decision represents a victory for those opposing the law, who contend that it breaches the principle of separation of church and state. They argue that showcasing the Ten Commandments could effectively alienate students, particularly those who do not identify as Christian. Supporters of the legislation assert that it holds historical relevance to the legal foundation of the United States and is not exclusively religious in nature.

U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles issued the injunction amidst an ongoing lawsuit filed by a group of parents from Louisiana public schools. They argue that the new law contravenes the First Amendment’s prohibition against governmental endorsement of religion and ensures religious freedom for all individuals.

The legislation, reflecting the conservative values of the state’s predominantly Republican government, was passed by Louisiana’s GOP-led Legislature earlier this year.
It has been embraced by prominent Republican figures, including former President Donald Trump. This initiative aligns with a broader trend among conservatives aiming to introduce religious principles into educational environments, paralleling similar measures in states like Florida, which has permitted volunteer chaplains in schools, and Oklahoma, where the state’s top education official has mandated Bible inclusion in instructional content.

In recent years, comparable bills demanding the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms have emerged in other states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah. Despite these proposals, none have been enacted due to anticipated constitutional challenges.

The U.S. Supreme Court previously deemed a similar law in Kentucky unconstitutional in 1980, asserting that it violated the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion. The Court concluded that the Kentucky law lacked a secular intent and was fundamentally religious.

Louisiana’s law specifically mandates that all public K-12 schools and state-funded universities showcase the Ten Commandments on posters or framed documents measuring at least 11 inches by 14 inches (28 by 36 centimeters), ensuring the text is prominently displayed in a large, legible font.

Additionally, each display must accompany a four-paragraph “context statement” explaining the historical importance of the Ten Commandments in American public education for nearly three centuries.
As a result of the new law, tens of thousands of posters may be required. Supporters of the legislation maintain that educational institutions are not obligated to use taxpayer funds for these displays; rather, the posters could be acquired through donations or provided by various groups and organizations.