Louisiana has become the only state to pass a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public K-12 classroom and state-funded university. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, has sparked debates over the separation of religion and government. Civil liberties groups, such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State, have threatened lawsuits against the law, citing concerns that it violates protections against government-imposed religion. State officials argue that the Commandments are foundational documents of the state and national government.
Similar bills have been proposed in other states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah, raising questions of constitutionality and fairness. Supporters of the law, such as Rev. Steve Ryan of Archbishop Shaw High School, believe that the Commandments are important for society and should be displayed in public school walls. However, opponents argue that the law erodes the constitutional barrier between religion and government, making students of diverse backgrounds feel marginalized in classrooms where one set of religious beliefs is endorsed over others.
Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Republican ally of Gov. Landry, has voiced support for the law, stating that the Commandments are important to the country’s foundations. However, some educators, like Louisiana’s 2020 teacher of the year Chris Dier, refuse to comply with the mandate, citing concerns of unconstitutionality and harm to students. Muslim groups, such as the Islamic Society of North America and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, have expressed worries about the law’s implications for religious minorities.
The debate over the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools is not new. Previous Supreme Court rulings have addressed similar issues, with some cases finding such displays unconstitutional while others have allowed them in certain contexts. The current conservative majority on the Supreme Court may impact future decisions on this matter. Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, a supporter of the law, believes that acknowledging the God upon which the nation is founded is essential, while opponents argue that it sends a discriminatory message to religious minorities.
Religion-government disputes have a long history in the United States, with Louisiana having been involved in significant legal battles in the past. The latest push to display the Ten Commandments in schools follows other mandates, such as displaying “In God We Trust.” The diversity of interpretations and phrasings of the Commandments may also lead to disputes over which version should be displayed in public classrooms. The implementation of the law and potential legal challenges highlight the ongoing debate over the role of religion in government institutions and its impact on students of various backgrounds.
