In a decision that’s sure to rile up defenders of traditional values, a trio of federal appellate judges has declared Louisiana’s bold law to post the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms unconstitutional.
This ruling, handed down by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, centers on a controversial mandate signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry last June, as reported by AP News. It’s a significant setback for conservatives pushing to preserve the historical roots of American law in education.
The law, championed by figures like President Donald Trump, required poster-sized displays of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom across Louisiana. Supporters argue these biblical principles are not just religious but foundational to the legal system that shaped the nation. Yet, the court saw it differently, siding with critics who claim it breaches the wall between church and state.
Civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, hailed the ruling as a triumph for public education’s neutrality. “This is a resounding victory for the separation of church and state and public education,” said Heather L. Weaver, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU. While their celebration is understandable, one wonders if dismissing historical context so swiftly doesn’t risk throwing out valuable cultural heritage with it.
The lawsuit behind this decision was filed last year by parents from diverse religious backgrounds, arguing the mandate infringed on First Amendment protections for religious liberty. They contended that such displays could alienate non-Christian students, creating an unwelcoming environment in schools meant to serve all. It’s a fair concern, though perhaps overstated when weighed against the intent to educate about legal history.
The judges, two of whom were appointed by Democratic presidents, formed an unusually left-leaning panel for the conservative-leaning 5th Circuit. This composition raises eyebrows about whether the outcome might have differed with a more balanced bench. Still, the ruling upholds a prior decision by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, who last fall also struck down the law as unconstitutional.
Confusion lingers over how far this decision reaches across Louisiana’s schools. Liz Hayes of Americans United for Separation of Church and State insisted that “all school districts in the state are bound to comply with the U.S. Constitution.” Her confidence is admirable, but it’s telling that not everyone agrees on the ruling’s blanket application.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill countered that the decision only binds the five parishes directly involved in the lawsuit. She’s not backing down, vowing to appeal the ruling, potentially all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. That’s the kind of tenacity conservatives appreciate in the face of judicial overreach.
Gov. Landry echoed Murrill’s resolve, stating, “The Ten Commandments are the foundation of our laws — serving both an educational and historical purpose in our classrooms.” His words resonate with those who see this not as a religious crusade but as a defense of cultural bedrock. Progressive critics might scoff, but isn’t there room to at least discuss history without assuming indoctrination?
This isn’t the first time courts have tackled displays of the Ten Commandments in public spaces. Back in 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a Kentucky law unconstitutional for lacking a secular purpose, finding it overtly religious. In 2005, similar displays in Kentucky courthouses were struck down, though a marker on Texas Capitol grounds was upheld—a mixed precedent that keeps hope alive for defenders of Louisiana’s law.
Legal experts predict this case could climb to the Supreme Court, testing the justices on the thorny intersection of religion and government. With a conservative majority on the high court, there’s a flicker of optimism among backers that the historical argument might finally get a fair shake. Still, the road there is anything but certain.
Meanwhile, similar battles are brewing elsewhere, with Arkansas families challenging a nearly identical law in federal court this month. Texas also has comparable legislation pending Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature. It’s clear this issue isn’t fading quietly into the night, as conservatives nationwide push back against what they see as an erosion of foundational values.
For many on the right, Louisiana’s mandate was a stand against a progressive agenda that often seems eager to scrub religion from public life entirely. The Ten Commandments, after all, aren’t just scripture—they’re a historical touchstone for laws against theft, murder, and deceit. Dismissing them as mere Sunday school material feels like a deliberate slight to the past that shaped us.
Yet, the court’s concern for students of diverse faiths isn’t without merit, and it’s worth pondering how to balance historical education with inclusivity. Couldn’t a curriculum contextualizing these commandments alongside other legal traditions achieve both goals? It’s a question worth asking before we let judicial rulings erase such discussions altogether.
As Louisiana gears up for an appeal, the nation watches a broader clash between preserving heritage and enforcing constitutional boundaries. This ruling may be a win for separation advocates, but it’s hardly the final word in a debate that’s as old as the republic itself. For now, classrooms remain free of these displays, but the fight to define what belongs in them is far from over.
