A federal appeals court on Friday cleared the way for a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, lifting a lower court block and reigniting the debate over religion in public education.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 12-6 to lift a freeze first imposed in 2024, finding it was too early to determine the law’s constitutionality. Critics argue the requirement violates the separation of church and state, while supporters say the Ten Commandments are historic and fundamental to American law.
The court majority said it was unclear how schools would display the poster-sized material, noting that the law allows additional content, such as the Mayflower Compact or the Declaration of Independence, to appear alongside the Ten Commandments.
The majority wrote that there were not enough facts to “allow judicial discretion rather than speculation” in evaluating potential First Amendment concerns.
COLORADO TEEN WINS BATTLE TO RESTORE SCHOOL PARKING LOT WITH CHRISTIAN DESIGN AFTER LEGAL CHALLENGE
In a concurring opinion, Circuit Judge James Ho, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, wrote that the law was constitutional and “consistent with our founding traditions.”
“It is fully consistent with the Constitution, and furthermore, it reinforces the firm belief of our Founders that America’s children should be educated about the religious foundations and traditions of our country,” Ho said, adding that the law “affirms the highest and noblest traditions of our nation.”
Circuit Judge James L. Dennis, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, wrote in a dissent that displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms would amount to “exposing children to government-sanctioned religion in an environment of mandatory attendance.”
VIRGINIA BOYS WIN NOTCH COURT AFTER CONSIDERING ‘SEXUAL HARASSMENTISTS’ OVER TRANSGENDER LOCKING ROOM COMPLAINT
A federal appeals court ruling on Feb. 20 allows Louisiana’s Ten Commandments mandate to remain in effect for the time being. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)
“That’s exactly the kind of establishment the Framers expected and tried to prevent,” he added.
The ACLU of Louisiana and other groups representing the plaintiffs said they would pursue additional legal challenges to block the law.
“Today’s ruling is extremely disappointing and would unnecessarily force Louisiana’s public school families into a constitutional game of punches in every school district,” the groups wrote in a joint statement. “Long-standing legal precedents make clear that our clients do not have to submit to the harm they want to prevent before taking legal action to protect their rights.”
WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT Forces Students to Hide Bibles in Backpacks, Lawsuit Alleges
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised the appeals court’s Feb. 20 decision that allowed the Ten Commandments class law to move forward. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, file)
Republican Governor Jeff Landry praised the court’s decision on Friday, writing on Facebook: “Common sense is making a comeback!”
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a statement following the ruling, saying schools must “follow the law.”
“No killing or stealing should not be controversial. My office has provided clear guidance to our public schools on how to comply with the law, and we have created several examples of posters showing how it can be applied constitutionally,” she said.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said schools must follow the Ten Commandments display law after a federal appeals court lifted a lower court block on Feb. 20. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Joseph Davis, an attorney representing Louisiana in the case, celebrated the court’s decision.
“If the ACLU had its way, every trace of religion would be expunged from the fabric of our public life,” he said in a statement. “That position is contrary to the traditions of our country and our Constitution. We are pleased that the Fifth Circuit has allowed Louisiana to display the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.”
Friday’s ruling came after the full court agreed to reconsider the case, months after a three-judge panel declared Louisiana’s law unconstitutional.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
A similar law in Arkansas is facing a challenge in federal court, while Texas implemented its own Ten Commandments classroom requirement last year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
#federal #court #clears #Ten #Commandments #Louisiana #public #school #classrooms