Federal Appeals Court Approves Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Law in Schools

A federal appeals court recently removed a lower court’s injunction on a Louisiana law that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. This ruling has reignited discussions surrounding the role of religion in public education.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decided by a vote of 12-6 to lift the previous block established in 2024, stating that it was premature to assess the law’s constitutionality. While critics argue that the requirement breaches the separation of church and state, proponents believe the Ten Commandments play a fundamental role in U.S. legal history.

The majority opinion highlighted a lack of clarity regarding how schools might exhibit larger materials, mentioning that the law permits supplementary content, like the Mayflower Compact or the Declaration of Independence, to be included alongside the Ten Commandments.

Furthermore, the court stated that there were not enough facts available to allow for a definitive legal judgment regarding possible First Amendment issues.

Circuit Court Judge James Ho, appointed by former President Donald Trump, expressed in a concurring opinion that the law aligns with the nation’s foundational traditions. He remarked, “America’s children should be educated in our nation’s religious foundations and traditions,” insisting the law supports these ideals.

Conversely, Circuit Judge James L. Dennis, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, dissented, asserting that displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms effectively subjects students to a government-endorsed religion in a compulsory setting.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana and other groups representing plaintiffs announced plans to continue legal challenges against the law. They expressed disappointment, stating, “Families in Louisiana public schools should not have to engage in a constitutional game of whack-a-mole.” They emphasized that existing case law allows for protective legal action without experiencing harm first.

In the wake of the ruling, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry celebrated the outcome, declaring on Facebook, “Common sense is returning!” Meanwhile, Attorney General Liz Murrill affirmed that schools must adhere to the law, arguing that basic commandments like “thou shalt not kill” shouldn’t be controversial. She noted that guidance has been provided to schools on how to comply.

Joseph Davis, an attorney for Louisiana in this matter, supported the court’s decision, arguing that the ACLU’s stance seeks to erase religious elements from public life, which contradicts the nation’s tradition and constitutional values.

This ruling follows a previous determination by a three-judge panel that the Louisiana law was unconstitutional, leading to the full court’s decision to reevaluate the case.

There are similar legal challenges to a comparable law in Arkansas, while Texas enacted its own Ten Commandments requirement in classrooms the year prior.