Louisiana Passed a Law That Requires Classrooms to Display 10 Commandments. What do you think? Is it Constitutional? Will the current SCOTUS allow it?

Question

Gov. Jeff Landry signed legislation on Wednesday requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public classroom in Louisiana, making the state the only one with such a mandate and reigniting the debate over how porous the boundary between church and state should be.

Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, vowed a legal fight against the law they deemed “blatantly unconstitutional.” But it is a battle that proponents are prepared, and in many ways, eager, to take on.

The legislation is part of a broader campaign by conservative Christian groups to amplify public expressions of faith, and provoke lawsuits that could reach the Supreme Court, where they expect a friendlier reception than in years past.

Governor argued that the Ten Commandments contained valuable lessons for students.

“If you want to respect the rule of law,” he said, “you’ve got to start from the original law giver, which was Moses.

It will also include a three-paragraph statement asserting that the Ten Commandments were a “prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries.”

That reflects the contention by supporters that the Ten Commandments are not purely a religious text but also a historical document, arguing that the instructions handed down by God to Moses in the Book of Exodus are a major influence on United States law.

“Given all the junk our children are exposed to in classrooms today, it is imperative that we put the Ten Commandments back in a prominent position,” said State Representative Dodie Horton, the Republican sponsor of the legislation.

The measure allows for “our children to look up and see what God says is right and what he says is wrong,” Ms. Horton told colleagues. “It doesn’t preach a certain religion, but it definitely shows what a moral code we all should live by is.”

Lynx122 · Accepted Answer

I don't think this will be allowed. They will be forced to make room for any religion to display their central beliefs in the classroom and then they will change their mind. The U. S. has a lot of (from my perspective) weird challenges to basic rights and freedoms but when it comes to this freedom they've been pretty good at defending it against the extreme christians. Like the flying spaghetti monster religion or the satanists who keep insisting that they get the same rights as the christians and then the christians usually voluntarily remove their stuff to prevent other religions from having a platform.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Accepted Answer

I'm deeply devoted and religious christian but I don't believe religion should be pushed upon the public nor in public schools as some parents and even students don't want to see religious themes and rules being taught to their children.

The Bible can be taught at home, religious temples, private schools or out in the public if people welcome to hear it but not in public schools.

abc3643 · Answer

It's blatantly unconstitutional because it's a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The SCOTUS ALREADY has ruled on this in 1980 in this case:

STONE et al. v. GRAHAM, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OF KENTUCKY
SUPREME COURT CASES
449 U. S. 39 (1980)

========

https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/usrep/usrep449/usrep449039/usrep449039.pdf

STONE v. GRAHAM

Per Curiam

STONE ET AL. v. GRAHAM, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OF KENTUCKY

ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT
OF KENTUCKY

No. 80-321. Decided November 17, 1980

Held. A Kentucky statute requiring the posting of a copy of the Ten Commandments, purchased with private contributions, on the wall of each public school classroom in the State has no secular legislative purpose, and therefore is unconstitutional as violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. ...

Lliam · Answer

Fuck these backwards, Bible thumping, theocrats. They are guilty of breaking the first amendment.
It is100% unconstitutional and I believe SCOTUS will strike it down.

The only commandments that apply to everybody are:
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thy shalt not lie.
Thy shalt not covet.

How many of those commandments do these motherfuckers honor?

Kaneki05 · Answer

If someone is going to kill or cheat what effect does a simple sign of saying not to do that gonna do?
It's a pointless move made by some conservatives who think a sign will solve kids been exposed or doing bad things their level of understanding is funny and sad.

loveslongnails · Answer

It's a stupid political move because they all (legislators and the Governor) know it's against Federal Law and it will be challenged. However, things like this will be happening all over the country as part of Project 2025's strategy to push Christian (fake or psuedo Christian, actually) Nationalism on the people of the USA.

Let's face it folks; if you added up the IQs of every politician in Louisiana and converted that number to liquid ounces, you wouldn't be able to fill a gallon bottle. They're not the brightest bulbs on the tree.

blueonblack22 · Answer

I’m a moderate conservative and a non-denominational Christian. I do believe the 10 commandments is God’s moral code for humanity and a very basic level. It’s also an ethical idealism that regardless if you have faith or an atheist is good for you children to follow. Seriously what is wrong with teaching children to not lie, kill and steal?

But this legislation seems to be more motivated to be passed out of spite. Backlash against far leftist ideologies being taught in some public schools (teaching K-3 children about “trans” education is disgusting and beyond horrifying in my opinion).

But I am not about fighting fire with fire. So I actually don’t want this forced on public schools (believe it or not). This is can contribute to further division and polerization. I can now see leftist states using this as an excuse to push even more far leftist ideologies in tax payer funded public education programs.

mrkdvsn · Answer

I would have been happy if it was a law passed for the display to be posted in one place for the entire school building. But hearing that it was meant for EVERY CLASSROOM, makes it even BETTER. (Of course it goes without saying that nobody would be forced to LOOK it it or READ it)

Red_Arrow · Answer

It is completely unconstitutional. But the SCOTUS has already shown their willingness to flagrantly violate the Constitution. They have changed rulings that had already been determined and set in stone, and they are showing signs of their intention to support unconstitutional laws.

MisterWack · Answer

It goes against the founders who were against establishing a single religion, freedom of religion & freedom of expression & freedom of speech are all censored by this stupidity since 10 Commandments says you can’t worship other Gods which goes against our founders’ intent.

DishLady · Answer

I just heard about this yesterday. While it would seem fine in a PRIVATE Judeo-Christian environment, I don't think it should be foisted upon every public school... unless they're also planning to include HAMMURABI'S CODE OF JUSTICE, THE 12 TABLES (ancient Rome) and all the other historical codes as well...

SweetJoyGirl · Answer

Well, because I am Christian, I agree to it. It will make other religions feel uncomfortable. Which may cause trouble.

Remember though, before the other religions came to America, it was built on the Christian God. Well, after they took the land from the Native Americans. 😏

WintersDaughter · Answer

I'd put up the first Ten Mitzvahs in Hebrew 😂 I bet that's not what they had it mind when they passed this law!

Juxtapose · Answer

It's blatantly against the first amendment and really doesn't help the conservatives in their fight against the far left. They are just showing that if they win in totality, they're going to go right back to their Bush era moral purity, shoving religion down your throat bullshit ways.

OtterMan68 · Answer

the same people who don't want sex taught in schools have no problem with a 1st grade teacher explaining what adultery and coveting thy neighbor's wife is

OlderAndWiser · Answer

I support the Ten Commandments but I also support the separation of church and state. SCOTUS will never review this matter as it will stop at the Fifth Circuit.

OddBeMe · Answer

Obviously this violates first amendment and will be struck down.

In Texas there’s a 100 year old law still on the books that says you have to be Christian to be in public office. Obvi this isn’t enforced.

sean1234 · Answer

There was a separation between church and state because the catholic church was persecuting christians everywhere. The USA back then was a safe haven for people wanting to flee from the catholic churches tyranny.

exitseven · Answer

not a big fan of this. We should not be pushing religion in school.

WindAtMyBack · Answer

I have not bothered to look into this like I normally do. But judging it only from what you've said, I strongly disagree with it and think it will be overturned.

Anonymous · Answer

A lot of times they go for test cases to find out where the Court stands around the edges of the issue at a given time in history.

RedInnocent69 · Answer

No. SCOTUS shouldn’t, but probably will. Separation of church and state was literally why the country was founded.

ICanSmellTheCosmos · Answer

I don't want religion in my government. And I don't want government in my religion.

grega239 · Answer

Not an American but i dont agree with this.  Religion should be a private matter

PA19062024 · Answer

The original law-giver was Hammurabi, not Moses. That "governor" is clueless.

Dargil · Answer

They don't have to read them. Even if it night do them some good.

Chris8330 · Answer

Such Religious dogmas etc. for me don’t belong to a classroom.

gorydetails · Answer

I imagine this will make some leftists very angry.

Anonymous · Answer

Seems reasonable to me. It's a pretty foundational document for all of Western Civilization.

Still-alive · Answer

Pro-tip: avoid Louisiana.

nawtee_me · Answer

If you don’t like it then move the hell out….

Louisiana Passed a Law That Requires Classrooms to Display 10 Commandments. What do you think? Is it Constitutional? Will the current SCOTUS allow it?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Louisiana Passed a Law That Requires Classrooms to Display 10 Commandments. What do you think? Is it Constitutional? Will the current SCOTUS allow it?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.