A new law in Louisiana has sparked a nationwide debate, as it requires the Ten Commandments to be exhibited in every public classroom.
Civil liberties groups have criticized the law signed by the state’s Republican governor, stating that it violates the rights of students and disregards the separation of church and state.
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The state’s decision on the matter is set to face legal challenges as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has announced its plan to file a lawsuit, while Governor Jeff Landry has taken a stance to uphold the law.
Former President Trump has recently shown his support for the law by mentioning it in a post on his new social media platform, Truth Social. This indicates that the law is now becoming involved in national political races.
Trump expressed his ardent support for the Ten Commandments being displayed in public schools, private schools, and other locations. He emphasized the significance of these commandments and questioned how the nation could possibly falter when adhering to them.
He added that this could be the first significant step towards the much-needed revival of religion in our country.
Louisiana classrooms are required to have biblical posters displayed in a format that is both easily readable and in a large font by the start of the upcoming year. These posters will also feature three paragraphs that detail the significance of the Ten Commandments in the history of American education.
Matt Krause, the attorney for First Liberty Institute, expressed his excitement after Governor Landry signed the bill into law, stating, “We’re thrilled to see that Governor Landry signed this bill into law. We think it gets us back more closely to the original intent of our founding fathers.”
According to Krause, the ability to display the Ten Commandments on school walls dates back to the 1980s. As a result, this has been a longstanding tradition in our country and Krause believes it’s an important one to uphold. By reintroducing the founding principles of our country, especially to students, Krause sees this as a positive step forward. He feels that it’s a great way to remind everyone of the values that our country was built upon.
The moment the law was signed, the ACLU, along with its Louisiana branch, the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, declared their intention to challenge the law in court. They argue that the law violates the First Amendment, as it imposes an “unconstitutional religious coercion of students,” making non-Christian students feel unwelcome.
According to Rachel Laser, who is the president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the proposed legislation is a clear indication of the growing influence of Christian nationalism in America. She believes that if passed, the law would compel students of all faiths in public schools to read and honor the state’s favored form of Christianity, which blatantly disregards the fundamental principle of separating church and state.
In 2022, the Supreme Court nullified the Lemon test, which could be the decisive factor in the argument. The Lemon test was established in 1971 in the case of Lemon v. Kurtzman, where the justices declared that government funding cannot be provided to nonsecular schools without violating the Establishment Clause.
Back in 1980, the Stone v. Graham case was brought before the high court. The case involved a Kentucky law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in schools, which was deemed unconstitutional by the court using the Lemon test.
In 2022, the Supreme Court made a decision in the case of Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, where a football coach was fired for praying after games. The court ruled in favor of the coach, overturning the school’s decision to terminate his employment. The school had claimed that the coach was violating the Establishment Clause, but the Supreme Court deemed otherwise.
The justices declared in their verdict that instead of relying on the Lemon and the endorsement test, the interpretation of the Establishment Clause should now be based on historical practices and understandings.
According to Krause, the historical and traditional significance of the Ten Commandments in American education and culture is indisputable. He believes that it is unlikely to face any constitutional challenges due to its deep-rooted place in American society.
According to him, the text is unparalleled in American history, both religiously and in other aspects. He highlighted the text’s mention in the Supreme Court and the Capitol as evidence of its ubiquity. He also emphasized the importance of Louisiana students inquiring about the posters displayed in their classrooms, as this gives teachers a chance to delve into the history of America’s founding.
However, those who oppose the law argue that the Founding Fathers would actually support their stance.
According to Laser, the Establishment Clause was put in place to ensure that there is no religious coercion or favoritism by the government. He emphasizes that the government should not take sides on religious issues, as evident from various sources.
Louisiana’s move to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools may serve as an example for other red states to follow. Texas, a neighboring state, had also considered a similar mandate in the past but was unable to pass it due to timing constraints during its legislative session.
On Thursday, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick expressed his disappointment, stating that Texas could have been the first state in the US to reintroduce the 10 Commandments in schools. He emphasized that it was something that should have been done.
Patrick confidently stated that he will successfully pass the 10 Commandments Bill once again in the Senate during the next session.
According to Laser, Republican-led states have been witnessing a worrisome trend of the mixing of religion with taxpayer-funded schools. She points out various instances such as chaplains being substituted for school counselors, coaches leading prayers with students, and the advocacy for religious charter schools.
“We require a national recommitment to church-state separation, instead of states transforming public schools into Sunday schools. This is what safeguards everyone’s freedom to live and believe as they desire, as long as it doesn’t cause harm to others,” she emphasized.
