A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that Louisiana’s law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools and state-funded universities is unconstitutional. Judges from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s decision, stating the law violated the separation of church and state.
This legal challenge began last June when a group of parents expressed concerns that the law, enacted in January, infringed on constitutional rights. A district court had previously issued a preliminary injunction against the law, impacting five school districts involved in the lawsuit.
The court’s opinion emphasized that “HB 71 is clearly unconstitutional,” with judges pointing out that the requirements laid out in the law, which stipulates that the Ten Commandments must be displayed in “large, easy to read fonts,” lead to an “irreparable” loss of rights for the plaintiffs.
This particular law was passed by Louisiana’s Republican-controlled Legislature last year. It also mandated that the Ten Commandments be presented alongside historical context statements related to American public education.
Pastor Darcy Roake, one of the plaintiffs represented by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, expressed gratitude for the ruling, highlighting the importance of religious education being provided at home and in faith communities rather than from government entities. Rachel Laser, the organization’s president, echoed this sentiment, advocating for the separation of church and state.
On the other hand, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Maril, who expressed strong discontent with the ruling, indicated plans to appeal the decision, potentially up to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary. This controversy is not isolated; Arkansas and other states led by Republican governments have enacted similar laws, showcasing a broader trend in public education policy regarding religious displays.
