Governor Jeff Landry signed off on the measure last Wednesday, making it mandatory for all classrooms from elementary schools through to universities that receive state funding. The decision has drawn praise from supporters who view the Commandments as foundational moral principles rooted in religious beliefs.
"This law is about returning a moral code to our classrooms," said Dodie Horton, the Republican state lawmaker who authored the bill. "It's like hope is in the air everywhere as this bill was rubber-stamped by the governor."
The posters, which must measure 11 inches by 14 inches, are required to prominently feature the Ten Commandments in a large, easily readable font. They are to be displayed as the central focus of the classroom, accompanied by a contextual statement explaining their historical significance in American public education.
However, the move has sparked criticism from civil liberties groups and opponents who argue it violates the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. The First Amendment's Establishment Clause explicitly prohibits the government from endorsing or promoting religious beliefs.
"The law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools is blatantly unconstitutional," stated a joint statement from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of Louisiana, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
Legal challenges are expected to ensue. Similar laws in other states, such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah, have also faced scrutiny and legal battles in recent years.
The controversy hinges on whether the display of religious texts in public institutions crosses the line into government promotion of religion. Opponents argue that such displays create an environment that excludes non-religious or non-Christian students, potentially making them feel marginalized.
"This is not about religious freedom," said one ACLU representative. "It's about ensuring that public schools remain neutral spaces where all students, regardless of their beliefs, can feel welcome and included."
Supporters of the law, however, contend that the Ten Commandments are not solely religious but also serve as a historical and moral foundation for American society.
"These commandments have been part of our nation's heritage for centuries," said Horton. "They provide a framework for ethical conduct that is important for our children to learn."
The debate over the role of religion in public life is not new. Courts in the United States have frequently grappled with similar issues, including whether religious symbols and texts can be displayed in government buildings, schools, and other public spaces.
In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Kentucky law that mandated the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools, ruling that it lacked a secular purpose and constituted an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.
Legal experts suggest that the outcome of potential challenges to Louisiana's law may hinge on similar arguments about secular versus religious intent.
"The Supreme Court's precedent is clear on this issue," said a legal scholar specializing in First Amendment cases. "Any law requiring the display of religious texts must have a clear secular purpose and must not promote or endorse any particular religious belief."
As the legal challenges unfold, the debate over the role of religion in public education is likely to continue, with implications that could extend beyond Louisiana to other states grappling with similar legislative proposals.
For now, Louisiana schools are tasked with implementing the new law by 2025, even as the broader legal and constitutional questions surrounding the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools remain unresolved.