Louisiana Set To Be First State To Require The Ten Commandments In Every Classroom

Louisiana is on the path to becoming the first state to display the Ten Commandments in all publicly funded schools. The requirement would extend to colleges and universities. The Ten Commandments must be displayed on posters or documents of at least 11 x 14 inches in “a large, easily readable font.”

Lawmakers in Texas and South Carolina attempted to pass similar bills have not reached final approval. The new bill has sparked controversy over its potential violation of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and the issue of separating church from state. The Establishment Clause states that the government cannot make any law “respecting an establishment of religion.”

However, GOP lawmakers argue that displaying the Ten Commandments holds historical value. Republicans also cite the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of a high school football coach fired for praying in Washington state in 2022. 

“The Ten Commandments are the basis of all laws in Louisiana,” said state Rep. Dodie Horton (R). “And given all the junk our children are exposed to in classrooms today, it’s imperative that we put the Ten Commandments back in a prominent position.”

“What this bill does [is] simply displays [the Ten Commandments] in each classroom for our children to look up and see what God says is right and what he says is wrong. It doesn’t preach a certain religion, but it definitely shows what a moral code that we all should live by is,” she added.

Those opposing the bill, such as the ACLU of Louisiana and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, call it “unconstitutional.”

“The state may not require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms,” the ACLU said in a statement. “Many faith-based and civil-rigthts organizations oppose this measure because it violates the students’ and families’ fundamental right to religious freedom. Our public schools are not Sunday schools, and students of all faiths—or no faith—should feel welcome in them.”