Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Louisiana Law on Ten Commandments

News Summary

A federal appeals court has ruled that Louisiana’s law requiring public schools and colleges to display the Ten Commandments is unconstitutional. The unanimous decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed a lower court’s injunction preventing enforcement of the law. Challenged by public school families on First Amendment grounds, the ruling highlighted the conflict between mandated religious displays and the separation of church and state, prompting potential appeals from state officials.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana –

A federal appeals court has ruled that a Louisiana law requiring public schools and colleges to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom is “plainly unconstitutional.” The unanimous decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, delivered on Friday, confirmed a lower court’s injunction that prevents the law from being enforced.

The law, which took effect on January 1, mandated that Ten Commandments posters measuring at least 11 by 14 inches be prominently displayed in classrooms. The legislation was challenged in court by a group of public school families who argued that it infringed upon the First Amendment rights of students by promoting government-sponsored religious displays in educational settings.

The appeals court ruling included a three-judge panel appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the decision. The judges noted that if the law were upheld, students would be subjected to mandated religious expressions throughout their education, conflicting with the principle of the separation of church and state. They also indicated that the state had failed to provide adequate evidence to substantiate claims linking the Ten Commandments to American legal traditions.

Background of the Legislation

The controversial law was passed by Louisiana’s Republican-controlled Legislature in 2024, reflecting ongoing national debates regarding the role of religion in public education. Supporters of the law, including political figures such as President Trump and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, contended that it was a step back to foundational American values. In contrast, critics, including civil liberties organizations like the ACLU, condemned it as an attempt to impose a particular religious viewpoint in the public school system.

Legal Developments and Future Implications

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has announced plans to appeal the ruling to the full 5th Circuit Court and potentially to the U.S. Supreme Court. Murrill argued that the ruling applies only to the five school districts involved in the original lawsuit; however, the plaintiffs’ lawyers assert that it affects all public schools in Louisiana.

The legal challenge to the law initially succeeded under Judge John deGravelles, who expressed concerns that the law forced students to engage in religious exercises. The 5th Circuit’s upholding of this ruling further underscores the judiciary’s stance on the matter.

In recent weeks, conservative advocacy groups have exacerbated the legal landscape by distributing ready-made Ten Commandments posters to schools, complicating the ongoing litigation and raising concerns about the potential for similar laws in other states.

Historical Context

This ruling is reminiscent of a 1980 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down a Kentucky statute requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools, reinforcing the precedent that such government endorsements of religion in educational settings are unconstitutional. The judges in the recent case pointed out that the state’s arguments for the law included historical inaccuracies, further undermining its justification.

The ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals may pave the way for a significant Supreme Court examination of the relationship between religion and public education, a topic that remains contentious in the current political climate.

As developments continue, the outcome of the anticipated appeals could have significant implications for the intersection of religious expression and public school policies across the United States.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• The Washington Post: Court Blocks Louisiana Law on Ten Commandments
• KSL: Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Law Struck Down by Appeals Court
• The New York Times: Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Law Declared Unconstitutional
• Axios: Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Law Unconstitutional
• NOLA: Louisiana Ten Commandments Law Ruled Unconstitutional by Fifth Circuit
• Wikipedia: Separation of Church and State
• Google Search: Ten Commandments Controversy in Education
• Google Scholar: Ten Commandments in Public Schools
• Encyclopedia Britannica: First Amendment
• Google News: Ten Commandments Louisiana