US court declares Ten Commandments law 'unconstitutional'
A federal judge has determined that a proposed law in Louisiana, which aims to exhibit Christian principles in schools, infringes upon religious freedoms. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A federal court in Louisiana has struck down a law mandating the display of Christianity’s Ten Commandments in all public schools and universities across the state, ruling it unconstitutional. This legislation had garnered praise from US President-elect Donald Trump.
Passed in June by Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry, the law required all state-funded primary and secondary schools, as well as universities, to display the commandments in “large, easily readable font” in every classroom by January 1, 2025. Louisiana stands out as the sole state in the US to implement such a law.
At the time of its introduction, Trump hailed the legislation, calling it a potential “first major step in the revival of religion, which is desperately needed in our country.”
The ruling to block the law, issued by Federal Judge John deGravelles, an appointee of former Democratic President Barack Obama, came shortly after Trump’s re-election. Judge deGravelles characterized the statute as “unconstitutional on its face,” labeling it “discriminatory” and “coercive.” He emphasized that the law infringed on the religious rights of those who opposed such displays.
The Ten Commandments are recognized as fundamental principles of Christianity. Supporters of the Louisiana law claimed it would restore a historical aspect of “state and national history, culture, and tradition” in public education.
The legal challenge was initiated by a diverse coalition of Louisiana families shortly after the law's passage. This group, which included Jewish, Christian, and non-religious families, referenced a 1980 US Supreme Court decision that invalidated similar legislation in Kentucky. The court had determined that the separation of church and state, as established by the US Constitution, prohibits public schools from posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
In a related context, another southern state, Oklahoma, is currently dealing with lawsuits concerning a requirement for the Bible to be included in public school lesson plans and to be available in every classroom.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
Passed in June by Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry, the law required all state-funded primary and secondary schools, as well as universities, to display the commandments in “large, easily readable font” in every classroom by January 1, 2025. Louisiana stands out as the sole state in the US to implement such a law.
At the time of its introduction, Trump hailed the legislation, calling it a potential “first major step in the revival of religion, which is desperately needed in our country.”
The ruling to block the law, issued by Federal Judge John deGravelles, an appointee of former Democratic President Barack Obama, came shortly after Trump’s re-election. Judge deGravelles characterized the statute as “unconstitutional on its face,” labeling it “discriminatory” and “coercive.” He emphasized that the law infringed on the religious rights of those who opposed such displays.
The Ten Commandments are recognized as fundamental principles of Christianity. Supporters of the Louisiana law claimed it would restore a historical aspect of “state and national history, culture, and tradition” in public education.
The legal challenge was initiated by a diverse coalition of Louisiana families shortly after the law's passage. This group, which included Jewish, Christian, and non-religious families, referenced a 1980 US Supreme Court decision that invalidated similar legislation in Kentucky. The court had determined that the separation of church and state, as established by the US Constitution, prohibits public schools from posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
In a related context, another southern state, Oklahoma, is currently dealing with lawsuits concerning a requirement for the Bible to be included in public school lesson plans and to be available in every classroom.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
