Judge Blocks Louisiana Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Classrooms

A federal judge temporarily blocked a Louisiana law on Tuesday that requires the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.
U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles ruled that the law was “unconstitutional on its face,” finding it serves an “overtly religious” purpose and violates the First Amendment’s prohibition on government-established religion.
The law, passed earlier this year by Louisiana’s GOP-controlled legislature, mandates that the Ten Commandments be prominently displayed in all K-12 public schools and state-funded university classrooms by January 1.
It stated that the displays should be at least 11 by 14 inches, with the Ten Commandments as the central focus. They should be accompanied by a four-paragraph statement detailing their historical significance in American education.
Judge deGravelles’ ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of Louisiana parents who argued that the law violates students’ constitutional rights.
In his decision, deGravelles noted that opponents of the law were likely to succeed in their challenge, citing the potential harm of coercing students into exposure to religious content in public schools.
He wrote that by law, parents must send their children to school 177 days a year, thus subjecting students to “government coercion” through religious displays.
The law has sparked fierce debate, with proponents, including Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill and Governor Jeff Landry, arguing that the Ten Commandments have historical significance in shaping American law.
Murrill, a Republican, said in a statement, “We strongly disagree with the court’s decision and will immediately appeal.”
Opponents, however, argue that the law effectively forces religious imagery on students, particularly non-Christian children.
They contend that the mandatory display of religious symbols in public schools isolates students who do not share the same beliefs, violating the constitutional principle of religious neutrality in government institutions.
The Louisiana law is part of a broader conservative push to incorporate religion into public education. Similar measures have been proposed in other conservative states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah.
However, many of these efforts have faced legal challenges, and none have been fully implemented.
In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar law in Kentucky, ruling that it violated the First Amendment’s establishment clause.
The law requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments on posters or framed documents, with the text printed in large, easily readable font.
The accompanying “context statement” asserts that the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of American public education for nearly three centuries.
Proponents argue that schools are not obligated to spend public funds on posters and that donations or outside groups could cover the costs.
While the law remains on hold pending the appeal, its passage has fueled ongoing debates about the role of religion in public life and education, with conservative lawmakers saying it is a tool to reconnect students with the nation’s religious heritage.
However, critics contend it undermines the constitutional separation of church and state and imposes a religious agenda on public school students.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.