Recent Orleans – A federal appeals court has cleared the way for Louisiana to enforce a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, a move sparking renewed debate over the separation of church and state. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 12-6 on Friday to lift a lower court injunction that had blocked the law’s implementation, but stopped short of ruling on its constitutionality.
The court’s decision doesn’t immediately settle the legal battle, as it cited a lack of clarity regarding how the law will be applied in practice. Specifically, the judges noted uncertainty about the size and prominence of the displays, whether teachers will be required to discuss the Ten Commandments in class, and if other historical documents, such as the Mayflower Compact or the Declaration of Independence, will also be exhibited. Without these details, the court determined it was premature to assess potential First Amendment concerns.
The Louisiana law, passed in 2024, mandates that all public schools display a poster-sized version of the Ten Commandments in each classroom. The legal challenge was brought by civil rights groups arguing the law violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits government endorsement of religion. Similar legislation has been proposed or enacted in other states, including Arkansas and Texas, setting the stage for further legal challenges.
The ruling comes after oral arguments were heard in January 2026, following an initial ruling by a three-judge panel that deemed the Louisiana law unconstitutional. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill welcomed the appeals court’s decision, stating her office has provided guidance to schools on compliant displays. However, opponents vow to continue the fight, arguing the law imposes a religious viewpoint on students.
Divisions Within the Court
The 5th Circuit’s decision was not unanimous. Six judges dissented, expressing concerns that the law inherently promotes government-endorsed religion in a setting where students are compelled to be present. Circuit Judge James L. Dennis argued the law “is precisely the kind of establishment the Framers anticipated and sought to prevent.” The dissenting judges believed the case was ripe for immediate judicial review and that the potential for constitutional violations was clear.
Texas Law Faces Similar Scrutiny
Louisiana is not alone in pursuing this type of legislation. Texas enacted a similar law in September 2025, marking what proponents called the largest effort to display the Ten Commandments in public schools nationwide. As CBS News reported, while some school districts were initially blocked from posting the displays due to injunctions, many have proceeded with installations through private funding or school district resources.
The push for the Ten Commandments in schools is part of a broader effort by some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, to increase the presence of religion in public education. Supporters contend the Ten Commandments are a foundational element of U.S. Law and represent key historical values. Critics, however, maintain that such displays violate the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.
Supreme Court Precedent
The legal battle over the Ten Commandments in public spaces is not new. The U.S. Supreme Court has previously addressed similar cases. In 1980, the Court ruled that a Kentucky law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools violated the Establishment Clause, finding it lacked a secular purpose. Bloomberg Law notes that in 2005, the Court again found a display of the Ten Commandments in Kentucky courthouses unconstitutional, while simultaneously upholding a display on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol in Austin.
Challenges from Diverse Groups
The Louisiana law has been challenged by a diverse coalition of plaintiffs, including families representing Christian, Jewish, and Hindu faiths, as well as clergy and non-religious families. This broad opposition underscores the widespread concerns about the potential for religious discrimination and the violation of constitutional rights.
The future of the Louisiana law remains uncertain. The 5th Circuit’s decision simply allows the law to take effect while further legal challenges are considered. We see likely the case will eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where the justices will have to grapple with the complex constitutional issues at stake. The outcome will have significant implications for the role of religion in public schools across the country.
As the legal process unfolds, school districts in Louisiana are preparing to comply with the law, while civil rights groups are exploring all available legal options to continue their fight. The debate over the Ten Commandments in schools is likely to continue for some time, reflecting the ongoing tension between religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
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