Louisiana became the first state in the nation to require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. Families opposed to the new law have sued the state on constitutional grounds. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry told parents who oppose the new rule this week, “Tell your child not to look.”
Defense of the New Rule
Landry defended the new rule he signed into law. He declared that the state would fight back against the lawsuit, which claimed that displaying the Ten Commandments in schools that received public funds was unconstitutional. The law requires the displays in all public K-12 and college classrooms.
Legal Challenge from Parents
The legal challenge came from parents of different faith traditions, including Jewish, Christian, Unitarian Universalist, and non-religious parents, who claim that the new rule “substantially interferes with and burdens” their First Amendment rights to raise their children with their chosen religious beliefs.
Bipartisan Support Cited
Despite some opposition to the new law, Landry cites the bipartisan support the bill received when it passed the Louisiana legislature.
Governor’s Remarks on Support
Pointing to the support for the measure within the state, Landry said, “I don’t see what the whole big fuss is about.”
Implementation Deadline
If the courts uphold the law, all schools that receive state funding must display the Ten Commandments by January 2025.
Current Compliance Status
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said that as of Monday, she was unaware of whether any schools had already complied with the mandate that takes effect in January.
Funding and Poster Design
She has also claimed that the required posters are “not very big” and that taxpayer funds will not be used to print them; private donors will provide them.
Legal Proceedings and Strategy
Louisiana has agreed to halt creating new rules about the law until November 15 due to the impact of the lawsuit, which could fundamentally alter the law’s requirements.
State’s Response to Lawsuit
Murril will lead the state’s response to the lawsuit, and the first motion will be to seek its dismissal. She argues that the complaint registered by the families is premature, as the law has not yet taken effect.
Constitutional Compliance
Another legal strategy the state will employ is describing how the law can be applied to meet constitutional requirements.
Alternative Poster Designs
Murrill presented different poster designs that could communicate the message and meet the law’s intent in a more modern and acceptable less-religious context, including a poster design based on the musical “Hamilton” and another poster comparing Martin Luther King Jr. and Moses. These posters may not trigger some families’ “religious doctrine” objections.
Legal Precedent and Historical Context
The families are basing their suit on a 1980 Supreme Court case in which the High Court struck down a Kentucky law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms.
First Amendment Concerns
The Court’s justification in 1980 was that the law violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
Argument for Historical Relevance
This time, Louisiana is arguing for the historical and cultural relevance of the 10 Commandments as a founding element of American society rather than focusing on its religious underpinning alone.
