In a controversial move, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed into law a bill requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, making it the only state with such a mandate.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) swiftly declared intentions to sue, arguing that the law breaches the constitutional separation of church and state, as well as contradicting a U.S. Supreme Court decision. Governor Landry, however, emphasized that the legislation aims to “expand faith in public schools,” stating, “If you want to respect the rule of law, you’ve got to start from the original law-giver, which was Moses.”
This new law is part of a broader package that includes measures to hire chaplains in schools, restrict discussions on sexual orientation or gender identity by teachers, and limit the use of transgender students’ preferred names or pronouns without parental consent. Additionally, the package seeks to improve academic support, with initiatives to expand tutoring for underperforming students, enhance math skills, and reduce curriculum mandates on teachers.
Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, plan to challenge the law, arguing it imposes religious doctrine on students and families in public schools. They point to the First Amendment, which prohibits government establishment of religion, and cite the 1980 Supreme Court ruling in Stone v. Graham, which deemed a similar Kentucky law unconstitutional.
Governor Landry’s legislation has sparked significant debate about the role of religion in public education and the constitutional implications of such mandates. As legal battles loom, the future of this law remains uncertain.
