A recent lawsuit has been filed challenging Louisiana's new law that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in all public classrooms. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit have requested a preliminary injunction to block the law from taking effect while legal proceedings unfold.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, argues that the legislation violates US Supreme Court precedent and the First Amendment. The law, known as House Bill 71 and signed by Governor Jeff Landry, requires that a state-approved version of the Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom from kindergarten through university-level at state-funded schools by January 1, 2025.
Opponents of the law, including multi-faith families represented by organizations like the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, argue that the mandatory display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms could pressure students into religious observance and create a divisive environment for those who do not adhere to the specific religious beliefs outlined in the law.
In a related development, Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Public Instruction issued a memo requiring schools to incorporate the Bible and the Ten Commandments into their curriculum. This move came after the state's Supreme Court blocked an attempt to establish the first publicly funded religious charter school in the country.
The lawsuit in Louisiana names several state education officials and local school boards as defendants. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley expressed support for the law, emphasizing the legislative backing it received and stating his intention to implement and defend it.
As the legal battle unfolds, the debate over the separation of church and state continues to be a focal point in these contentious issues surrounding the display of religious symbols in public institutions.
