Appeals Court Reinstates Louisiana Law Mandating Ten Commandments in Schools

A federal appellate court has paved the way for Louisiana's statute, which mandates the prominent display of the Ten Commandments within public school classrooms, to become effective. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, through a 12-6 vote, lifted a previous injunction imposed by a lower judicial body in 2024. The court's majority opinion, released on Friday, indicated that it was premature to render a verdict on the law's constitutionality, emphasizing the lack of clarity regarding how strictly the religious texts would be exhibited, whether educators would reference them during instruction, or if other historical documents, such as the Mayflower Compact or the Declaration of Independence, would also be presented.

This judicial decision stems from the court's choice to revisit the litigation with a full panel of judges, following an earlier ruling by three judges in June that deemed the Louisiana law unconstitutional. The reversal originates from one of the nation's most ideologically conservative appeals courts, known for advancing Republican-backed policies to a similarly conservative U.S. Supreme Court. Republican Governor Jeff Landry applauded the ruling, asserting that 'common sense is making a comeback!' Conversely, the ACLU of Louisiana, a key litigant against the law, vowed to pursue all available legal avenues to continue its opposition. This development aligns with broader efforts by Republican figures, including former President Donald Trump, to integrate religious principles into public education, a move that critics argue infringes upon the separation of church and state, while proponents maintain the Ten Commandments hold historical significance and form a basis of American legal tradition.

The precedent set by this ruling is notable, given past Supreme Court decisions that have addressed similar issues. In 1980, the Supreme Court struck down a comparable Kentucky law, finding it violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution by serving a purely religious, rather than secular, purpose. Later, in 2005, the Court invalidated Ten Commandments displays in Kentucky courthouses but upheld a monument on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol. This ongoing legal battle highlights the complex interplay between religious freedom, educational policy, and constitutional principles within the American legal system. The outcome of these challenges will undoubtedly shape the future of religious expression in public spaces, particularly in educational environments, reflecting the nation's continuous dialogue about its foundational values and legal interpretations.