A federal judge is set to hear arguments on Monday regarding a new Louisiana law that obligates public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom by January 1.
The proceedings, which will also address supplementary issues related to an ongoing lawsuit contesting this law, are anticipated to continue throughout the day. It remains uncertain when U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles will deliver a ruling.
Critics of the legislation argue that it infringes upon the constitutional principle of separation of church and state, stating that the requirement may alienate students, particularly those from non-Christian backgrounds. Meanwhile, supporters maintain that the law is not strictly religious but carries historical importance connected to the foundation of U.S. legal principles. Notably, Louisiana stands alone as the only state mandating such displays.
In June, a group of parents from diverse religious backgrounds initiated a lawsuit claiming that the new law violates the First Amendment’s provisions against the establishment of religion, as well as its guarantees of religious freedom.
Governor Jeff Landry, a conservative Republican who has endorsed this legislation, has expressed his eagerness to defend it in court. During an August press conference, when asked how he would address concerns from parents regarding the Ten Commandments in classrooms, he remarked, “If those posters are in school and they find them so vulgar, just tell the child not to look at it.”
The push for religious incorporation in educational institutions is a trend observed in various states across the country. For instance, legislation in Florida permits school districts to appoint volunteer chaplains to provide counsel to students, while Oklahoma’s chief education official has directed schools to include biblical teachings within their curricula.
This Louisiana law has received backing from conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump. In a June post on his social media platform, Trump stated, “I LOVE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND MANY OTHER PLACES, FOR THAT MATTER. READ IT — HOW CAN WE, AS A NATION, GO WRONG???”
According to the legislation, all public K-12 schools and state-funded university classrooms in Louisiana must prominently display the Ten Commandments on posters or framed documents no smaller than 11 by 14 inches, featuring the text in a large, legible font. Additionally, each poster is required to include a four-paragraph contextual statement.
Meeting the law’s requirements may necessitate tens of thousands of posters, given that Louisiana boasts over 1,300 public schools, and LSU has nearly 1,000 classrooms at its Baton Rouge campus alone.
The law does not impose a requirement for school districts to utilize public funds for the posters; instead, Republican proponents suggest that the costs will be covered through donations or through posters donated by organizations. However, uncertainties remain about enforcement strategies, particularly if educators choose not to comply, and challenges may arise if sufficient donations are not gathered to fulfill the mandate.
A recent agreement between the court and the state has stipulated that five schools specifically mentioned in the lawsuit will refrain from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms until after November 15. Additionally, no rules concerning the law’s implementation will be established prior to this date. Despite these stipulations, the statewide compliance deadline for schools is still set for January 1, 2025.