Court voids Louisiana's Ten Commandments law

In a landmark decision, a federal appeals court has determined that a Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools is unconstitutional.

According to the Daily Caller, the decision on Friday is a triumph for civil liberties organizations, which view such a mandate as a breach of the First Amendment’s safeguard against intermingling church and state.

This ruling arrived nearly a year after Louisiana became the first state to enforce such a requirement. In June 2024, Governor Jeff Landry signed the law mandating that all public school classrooms visibly display the religious text.

Legal Battle Began with Parental Action

The law soon faced legal challenges initiated by the parents of students in Louisiana. These parents argued that the regulation compromised their children’s religious freedoms, providing the initial pushback against the controversial mandate. A panel of three judges from the federal appellate court struck down the mandate, aligning with a previous decision by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles.

He had earlier declared the mandate to be unconstitutional, which set the foundation for the appeals court’s endorsement. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), among other advocacy groups, supported the legal challenge from the outset, arguing that such displays in public schools pose a constitutional conflict.

State Officials Plan to Contest Ruling

Despite the decisive ruling, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill indicated that the decision has a limited scope. It currently applies to only the five school districts directly involved in the litigation. Murrill announced intentions to appeal the ruling, suggesting ongoing legal disputes may continue as the state seeks to enforce its legislation statewide.

“This is a resounding victory for the separation of church and state and public education,” noted Heather L. Weaver, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU. Her remarks underscore the importance of maintaining a secular atmosphere in public education.

Similar Laws Emerge in Other States

The ruling in Louisiana comes amid a broader trend where similar legislation has emerged in other states. In April, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas approved a comparable law intended to take effect in August, impacting schools, universities, and other publicly funded structures.

Further south, Texas legislators passed a measure in May that bears a resemblance to the Louisiana statute, suggesting a region-wide effort toward integrating religious displays in educational settings.

Historically, legal precedents have generally disfavored such religious displays in governmental settings. Most notably, an appeals court previously deemed an Alabama monument of the Ten Commandments in violation of the Establishment Clause.

Civil Liberties and Constitutional Promises

Heather L. Weaver emphasized the symbolic weight of the ruling, articulating how the court’s decision holds the state accountable to a “core constitutional promise.” This principle asserts that public educational institutions must be inclusive of all students, irrespective of their religious upbringing.

The court’s pronouncement reiterates the enduring constitutional principle that public schools are centers for education, not for religious instruction or endorsement, which remains central to the debate over religious symbolism in public spaces.

While this decision marks a significant victory for civil liberty advocates, the evolving legal landscape suggests that similar debates will likely persist as additional states explore their interpretations of the First Amendment.

Implications for Public Education

As discussions about the presence of religious elements in public schools continue to unfold, the ruling could set a precedent influencing policy in other jurisdictions. The question remains whether pending appeals and further legislative endeavors will alter the trajectory of this contentious issue, as state governments navigate constituents’ varied perspectives.

For now, the appeals court’s decision stands as a testament to the delicate balance between religious expression and constitutional mandates, leaving education policymakers and civil rights advocates alike contemplating the next steps.