Federal judge blocks Louisiana law over displaying Ten Commandments in public schools
Federal Judge Rules Louisiana Law Posting Ten Commandments in Public Schools Unconstitutional
A federal judge in Louisiana has struck down a controversial law that required the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, ruling that it violates the Constitution’s Establishment Clause. The law, signed by the state’s Republican Governor in June, was met with immediate legal challenges.
The Judge’s Decision
According to NBC News legal analyst Danny Savelos, the judge’s 170-page decision can be distilled down to a single sentence: the law violates the Constitution’s Establishment Clause primarily for two reasons. Firstly, the law is similar to a prior case called Stone v. Graham, in which the facts are almost identical. Secondly, the law is coercive enough to students, as it is displayed prominently and is not something they can avoid reading or being indoctrinated with.
The State’s Argument
The state itself pushed back against the lawsuit, arguing that if they can show the Ten Commandments as part of the history and traditions of the United States, they may win. However, the judge rejected this argument, citing an expert who testified that schooling at the time of the Constitution was mostly private, with no public schooling. This means that any precedent for religious education in schools is not applicable, as it was primarily private religious schooling.
The Road Ahead
While the decision is a significant blow to the law, it is not necessarily the final word. The state could appeal the decision, and it is possible that the case could end up at the Supreme Court. However, Savelos notes that even a conservative-leaning Supreme Court may not see the need to weigh in, as the issue has already been well-trodden and there is no circuit split.
The ruling is a significant victory for those who argue that the separation of church and state is essential to a democratic society. While the debate over the role of religion in public schools is likely to continue, this decision makes it clear that the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms is unconstitutional.
