Thou Shalt Display: Louisiana Mandates Ten Commandments in Public School Classrooms

Jun 20

Louisiana has enacted a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, sparking controversy and legal challenges. Critics argue it violates constitutional principles, while supporters claim it reflects the nation's historical foundations.

Written By Kaylee Anderson // EEW Magazine Online

"Thou shalt not ignore the Ten Commandments" might be the new rule in Louisiana, as the state has become the first to mandate their display in every public school classroom.

Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, signed the legislation into law on Wednesday. This new law requires that all public classrooms, from kindergarten through state-funded universities, feature a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in "large, easily readable font."

The Ten Commandments, as presented in Christian Bibles, appear in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21. These commandments were delivered to the Israelites by God through Moses on Mount Sinai as part of their covenant following the exodus from Egypt.

Critics have raised concerns about the constitutionality of the law and have pledged to challenge it in court. Supporters argue that the measure is not merely religious but also holds historical significance. According to the law, the Ten Commandments are described as "foundational documents of our state and national government."

The law stipulates that the posters will include a four-paragraph "context statement" explaining that the Ten Commandments were a significant part of American public education for nearly three centuries. These displays are required to be in place by the start of 2025, making principles such as monotheism, honoring parents, and prohibitions against murder, theft, and bearing false witness visible to students and teachers alike.

State funds will not be used to finance the posters; instead, they will be funded through donations. The law also "authorizes" but does not mandate the display of other historical documents in K-12 public schools, including the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance.

Shortly after the bill was signed into law at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Lafayette, several civil rights groups and organizations advocating for the separation of church and state announced their intention to file a lawsuit. The American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation released a joint statement arguing that the law undermines equal education and alienates students with different beliefs.

"Even among those who may believe in some version of the Ten Commandments, the particular text that they adhere to can differ by religious denomination or tradition. The government should not be taking sides in this theological debate," the groups stated.

The enactment of this law comes amid a wave of conservative governance in Louisiana under Landry, who succeeded two-term Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in January. With Republicans holding a supermajority in the Legislature and occupying every statewide elected position, the passage of conservative legislation has become more feasible.

Similar bills have been proposed in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah, but none have become law due to potential legal challenges regarding their constitutionality. Legal disputes over displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools are not new; in 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a comparable Kentucky law violated the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits laws respecting an establishment of religion.

This latest legislation is set to reignite debates about the role of religious symbols in public education and the interpretation of constitutional principles concerning the separation of church and state.