A federal appeals court in Louisiana has cleared the path for a contentious law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. This ruling, which overturns a previous injunction deeming the law unconstitutional, has reignited discussions surrounding religious freedom and the separation of church and state in the education system.
Court Decision Details
On Friday, the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals voted 12-6 to lift the injunction, with the majority arguing that the court had not yet been presented with sufficient facts to assess the law’s constitutionality. The judges noted that it remains unclear how the Ten Commandments will be displayed in schools, whether educators will reference the text in lessons, or if other historical documents, such as the Mayflower Compact or the Declaration of Independence, will also be included in the displays.
This ruling follows a prior decision in June, where a smaller panel of judges deemed the law unconstitutional. The case has now been reconsidered with all judges present, reflecting the court’s more conservative stance, which is known for promoting Republican policies to the Supreme Court.
Background of the Law
In 2024, Louisiana became the first state to enact a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed prominently in public schools, a move that has sparked significant debate about the implications for religious liberties in educational settings. Opponents, including a coalition of parents from diverse faith backgrounds, have argued that the law violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits government endorsement of any religion.
Supporters assert that the Ten Commandments are rooted in historical significance and represent foundational principles of American law. Circuit Judge James Ho, a Trump appointee, stated in a concurring opinion that the law “not only is constitutional but affirms our nation’s highest and most noble traditions.”
Reactions and Future Implications
The ruling has drawn varied responses. Louisiana’s Republican Governor, Jeff Landry, hailed the decision as a triumph of common sense, while Attorney General Liz Murrill urged schools to comply with the law and provided examples of acceptable displays.
Conversely, the Freedom From Religion Foundation expressed disappointment, labelling the ruling as a step backward and predicting that families would face challenges as they contest each school district’s implementation of the law. The ACLU of Louisiana condemned the decision, emphasising its potential to erode the safe and inclusive environment that public schools should embody. Executive Director Alanah Odoms stated, “This decision is wrong. It is cowardly. And it carries real consequences for our children.”
Similar legislative efforts have surfaced in other states, notably Arkansas and Texas, where laws requiring the display of the Ten Commandments are also under scrutiny. The Fifth Circuit recently heard arguments regarding the constitutionality of both the Louisiana and Texas laws, although Friday’s ruling is specific to Louisiana.
Precedent and Legal Context
Historically, the US Supreme Court has ruled against similar measures, determining that they violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment. A landmark case in 1980 struck down a Kentucky law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments, stating it served no secular purpose and was fundamentally religious. In another ruling in 2005, the court invalidated similar displays in Kentucky courthouses, while simultaneously upholding a Ten Commandments marker at the Texas State Capitol.
Why it Matters
This ruling holds significant implications for the landscape of public education in the United States, particularly regarding the interplay between religious expression and government endorsement. By allowing the display of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms, the court’s decision raises essential questions about the role of religion in state institutions. The outcome of this ongoing legal battle may set critical precedents affecting the rights of students and the operational framework of public education across the nation, potentially transforming classrooms into arenas of religious endorsement rather than neutral educational spaces.
