Louisiana Mandates Ten Commandments in Schools, Sparking First Amendment Debate

Jun 21, 2024, 03:20 AM

Louisiana has enacted a new law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, from kindergarten through state-funded universities. The GOP-drafted legislation requires the commandments to be displayed in large, easily readable font on poster-sized displays. Governor Jeff Landry signed the bill, positioning Louisiana as the first state to implement such a requirement. The law has sparked significant controversy and debate, with critics arguing it violates the First Amendment's separation of church and state. Legal experts predict that the law will face challenges in court, referencing the Supreme Court's 1980 decision in Stone v. Graham, which struck down a similar law in Kentucky. Proponents, including Landry, argue that the Ten Commandments are a historical document and that displaying them promotes moral values. The law has also drawn reactions from various political figures, including former President Donald Trump, who expressed support for the legislation.