Louisiana is on track to become the first US state to require that all publicly funded schools display the text of the Ten Commandments in a central display for people to see in every classroom.
Currently, a bill called House Bill 71 has just passed through both chambers of state Congress and is on its way to Republican Governor Jeff Landry’s desk, who is likely to sign it.
Passing State Congress
In April, House Bill 71 was approved in the Louisiana House with a vote of 82-19. In a recent update, it also passed through the Louisiana Senate on Thursday with a 30-8 vote in favor of the bill.
The Senate voted on a revised version of the bill, which had been changed to head off potential legal challenges.
Senate Changes
In order to preemptively deal with expected legal challenges to the bill, state Senator Jay Morris made amendments that emphasize a Supreme Court ruling in 2005 that asserts “that it is permissible to display the Ten Commandments on government property.”
Morris’s amendments also cite other court cases and instances that the legislature had acted to publish the Ten Commandments to further bolster the bill’s legal grounding.
House Bill 71
According to its legal text, House Bill 71 if made into law would “require display of the Ten Commandments in each classroom; to provide relative to the use of public funds for this purpose; to provide for applicability; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.”
The text of the Ten Commandments must be a “central focus” of a “poster or framed document,” and the law outlines the specific wording of the Ten Commandments based on King James bible translation phrasing.
Display Requirements
The display for the Ten Commandments must be at least 11 inches by 14 inches, and written in a “large, easily readable font.”
Apart from these two requirements and the requirement for the commandments to be a central focus, the displays are required to be in “every elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education classroom.”
What Schools Are Affected?
The law makes it clear that all manner of public education institutions, i.e. those that receive state funds will be included in the mandate.
“Proposed law requires such display in every classroom in public schools, including charter schools; nonpublic schools that receive state funds; and on public and nonpublic postsecondary education institution campuses,” says the bill.
Previous Success
This latest legislative action builds off a previously successful law from last year introduced by Representative Dodie Horton called House Bill 8.
House Bill 8 made it mandatory for all state public schools to display the words “In God We Trust” in every applicable Louisiana classroom.
Another Bill
In addition to House Bill 8 and this recent Ten Commandments one, another bill called House Bill 334 was also created that would promote religion in K-12 schools.
House Bill 334 passed the House with a vote of 86-6 and would allow schools to onboard religious chaplains to work directly with students.
Why Now?
One may wonder why Louisiana is putting forward a recent glut of religious-inspired school legislation. The answer lies in a 2022 Supreme Court ruling which Ten Commandments advocates feel gives them the green light to make such legal moves.
“The landscape has changed,” Representative Horton said about the 2022 Kennedy V. Bremerton Supreme Court case.
Opposition to the Bill
The eight votes in the Louisiana Senate opposing the legislation all came from Democrats. One of the opposing votes, Senator Royce Duplessis, was insistent that church and school remain seperate.
“I didn’t have to learn the Ten Commandments in school. We went to Sunday school,” said Duplessis. “You want your kids to learn about the Ten Commandments, take them to church.”
Constitutionality Questions
Critics of the recent string of pro-religious legislation are concerned that these mandates constitute an establishment of religion by the state.
“If it’s not adhered to, or even acknowledged by religions across the world,” said Rep. Matthew Willard, D-New Orleans, on the subject of the Ten Commandments, “are we not basically establishing a Christian religion in our schools?
Historical Significance
Legal scholars have asserted that The First Amendment of the United States creates a legal basis against the concept of “establishment of religion” and requires a “separation between church and state.” However, supporters like state Senator Adam Bass say The Ten Commandments don’t have a solely religious purpose.
“The purpose is not solely religious,” said Bass. “[The Ten Commandments have] historical significance, which is simply one of many documents that display the history of our country and foundation of our legal system.”
Legislative Trends
Across the U.S., several states have attempted to enact laws similar to Louisiana’s Ten Commandments mandate.
While states like Oklahoma have tried to pass similar laws, others have seen these efforts struck down in court, highlighting a divided national stance on religious displays in public schools.
Legal Outcomes
In states where similar mandates have been challenged legally, the decisions often hinge on nuanced interpretations of the First Amendment.
These cases offer plenty of previous legal precedents that Louisiana’s new law might eventually face.
State Budget Allocation
Louisiana’s mandate will require significant upfront costs for the creation and installation of Ten Commandments displays.
This financial burden raises questions about whether state funds will be increased to schools or if current budgets must absorb the new costs.
Cost to Schools
School districts across Louisiana are bracing for the financial impact of this mandate.
With funds needing allocation for display production and maintenance, schools may have to adjust budgets, potentially affecting other educational resources that are already tight as it is.
Classroom Dynamics
On a similar note, teachers and administrators are likely concerned about the potential distractions this mandate could bring.
Introducing religious texts in every classroom might shift focus away from educational content, influencing the overall learning environment.
Curriculum Adjustments
The integration of the Ten Commandments into classrooms may necessitate adjustments in teaching materials and methods.
What that looks like remains to be seen, but it could result in changes to tried-and-true lesson plans and instructional strategies.
Historical Context
Past legal challenges to similar laws provide a context for understanding potential future legal battles in Louisiana.
Notably, cases like Stone v. Graham set significant precedents regarding religious displays in public schools, ultimately resulting in the removal of Ten Commandments displays from Kentucky classrooms.
Expert Opinions
If passed, Louisiana’s law will undoubtedly face immediate judicial challenges.
Citing previous Supreme Court rulings, opponents could argue the law could be seen as an endorsement of a particular religion, violating constitutional principles.
Community Reactions
Louisiana’s religious diversity means the new law impacts not only Christians but also students and families from other religious backgrounds.
The United States Consitution guarantees freedom of religion, and this mandate may be seen as favoring one religion over others, causing tension within the community and individual schools.
Inclusivity Concerns
The implementation of the Ten Commandments in every classroom has reignited the dialogue on religious inclusivity in schools.
Non-Christian communities are particularly vocal, fearing marginalization in a predominantly Christian symbolic environment.
Implementation Strategies
With the law set to take effect, Louisiana schools are developing strategies for compliance.
This includes training for staff on the legal and educational implications of the new displays to ensure they are prepared for potential controversies.
Administrative Challenges
School administrators will face logistical and ethical challenges in enforcing the new law.
If the bill ends up passing the House vote, educators will need to balance respect for diverse student beliefs with legal compliance, creating a comprehensive approach to manage potential disputes effectively.
