Louisiana judge blocks controversial religious display law in schools
Federal court stops Louisianaʼs state-wide Ten Commandments display requirement in public schools. Nine families including religious leaders challenged the law which was signed last summer
A Louisiana law making Ten Commandments displays mandatory in public-school classrooms got struck down yesterday by federal judge John deGravelles who said it breaks constitutional rules
The law (signed by Jeff Landry about 5 months ago) made Louisiana stand out as the only state with such requirements; however nine families - some being church leaders themselves - didnt wait long to challenge it in court
The judge pointed to several key problems: the displays would force kids to look at religious texts during their required 177-day school year; plus it goes against what the Supreme Court has said before about church-state separation. The ruling shows how these displays could push students toward state-approved religious beliefs
- Law required Ten Commandments in every classroom
- Multiple families with kids in public schools filed suit
- Religious leaders joined the legal challenge
- Louisiana was alone in having such state-wide rules
The case might not be over yet - Louisiana can take it to the 5th Circuit Court (known as one of the more right-leaning courts in America). DeGravelles‚ who got his position during Obamas time makes his point clear: forcing religious displays on school-kids isnt ok
