Republican Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana recently signed into law a requirement for all public schools in the state to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. This mandate, outlined in House Bill 71, applies to schools receiving state funding from kindergarten through the university level.
The legislation specifies that a poster-size display of the Ten Commandments must be prominently featured in each classroom with large, easily readable font. The text of the commandments is to be the central focus of the display, as detailed in the bill.
Gov. Landry expressed his support for the law, referring to the commandments as the original law given by Moses from God. He emphasized the importance of respecting the rule of law starting from this foundational source.
Opponents of the bill have raised concerns about potential violations of the establishment clause of the US Constitution, which prohibits the government from favoring or endorsing any specific religion. Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, have vowed to challenge the law in court, citing constitutional issues.
Supporters of the law have pointed to a recent US Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which upheld the rights of individuals to express religious beliefs in public spaces. They argue that the law aligns with this decision and emphasizes the historical and moral significance of the Ten Commandments.
State Rep. Dodie Horton, the bill's author, highlighted the positive impact of displaying the commandments in classrooms, referring to it as a symbol of hope. She dismissed concerns from opponents, emphasizing the legal and moral foundation of the commandments.
With Louisiana becoming the first state to require the display of the Ten Commandments in all state-funded classrooms, the debate over the intersection of religion and public education is likely to continue as legal challenges unfold.
