Civil liberties groups have filed a lawsuit to challenge a new Louisiana law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. The plaintiffs argue the law violates the separation of church and state and promotes religious favoritism, while proponents contend it holds historical significance. The lawsuit seeks to prevent the implementation of the law, citing Supreme Court precedent that prohibits government establishment of religion.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is vowing to pass a bill requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments, following Louisiana’s recent enactment of a similar law. This comes after Patrick criticized the Texas House Speaker for blocking a previous bill. Patrick’s push highlights a growing trend among Republican lawmakers to promote religious displays in public spaces, though legal challenges are expected.
Louisiana lawmakers have passed a bill that would make the state the first to require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all schools and colleges that receive public funding. The bill, introduced by GOP state Rep. Dodie Horton, states that the text of the Ten Commandments must be printed in classrooms on a poster no smaller than 11 inches by 14 inches and must be “the central focus” of the poster. The bill was given final approval Tuesday evening, when the state House passed it by a 79-16 vote, with only Democrats voting against the legislation. The Senate passed the bill earlier this month. Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, still needs to sign the new bill into law for Louisiana to make history as the first state with such a requirement. The bill is expected to face legal challenges over First Amendment concerns.
