A federal appeals court has blocked Louisiana’s law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, marking a significant setback for the GOP-led effort to bring religious values back into public education.
The ruling, handed down Friday by the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, upholds an earlier injunction and prevents the law from taking effect in the upcoming school year as legal battles continue.
The statute, which would have applied to all public schools from kindergarten through state-funded universities, mandated posting a large-format version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
These posters were to measure at least 11 by 14 inches and be displayed prominently, according to Townhall.
Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill, both Republicans, championed the law as an important effort to reaffirm the moral foundation that they say underpins America’s legal system and culture.
They argued that the commandments provide critical guidance for students on right and wrong.
Opposition quickly mounted from civil liberties groups, who filed suit soon after the law’s passage.
These groups claimed the law violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which forbids government endorsement of any particular religion.
In its decision, the appeals court referenced the landmark 1980 U.S. Supreme Court case Stone v. Graham, where a nearly identical Kentucky statute was struck down.
That ruling found such displays of the Ten Commandments served a clear religious purpose and lacked secular justification, Reuters reports.
The court panel further stated that forcing schools to promote religious doctrine cannot be defended solely by claims that such symbols have historical or cultural significance—a central argument put forward by Louisiana officials.
Attorney General Murrill, known for her vocal defense of parental rights and conservative values, sharply criticized the ruling.
“Our children deserve to be taught truth and morality,” she said in response. “We will continue to fight for this law and its principles.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), one of the plaintiffs challenging the law, praised the court’s ruling.
“This is a critical victory for religious freedom,” the ACLU declared, emphasizing that government should not dictate religious teachings in public classrooms.
Landry, who signed the legislation earlier this year, insisted the Ten Commandments represent foundational American traditions rather than religious indoctrination.
He vowed to appeal the court’s decision.
“This is about preserving our heritage and values,” he said, per Townhall.
Similar bills have been introduced and passed in other states, including Texas and Arkansas, reflecting what many see as a coordinated conservative push to reintroduce religious symbols and teachings into public life.
However, these laws often face immediate constitutional challenges, the Associated Press noted.
Legal experts say this case could ultimately make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has shown some openness to allowing religious expression in public settings in recent rulings.
Still, longstanding precedents such as Stone v. Graham remain binding for now, creating a complicated legal landscape.
For the moment, public schools across Louisiana will not be required to post the Ten Commandments as the dispute moves forward.
Both supporters and opponents of the law are gearing up for what appears to be a lengthy and contentious legal battle ahead.
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Author: Gloriel Howard
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