Federal appeals court rules Louisiana’s law mandating Ten Commandments displays in public classrooms unconstitutional.

Appeals Court Rejects Law Requiring Religious Text in Classrooms

A federal appeals court on Friday declared Louisiana’s law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public-school classrooms and state-funded universities unconstitutional, upholding a lower district court’s prior ruling and reinforcing protections under the First Amendment.

The three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously agreed with plaintiffs, a group of Louisiana parents, that the statute known as H.B. 71 violates the constitutional separation of church and state. The panel stated, “H.B. 71 is plainly unconstitutional. The district court did not err.”

The law, passed last year by Louisiana’s Republican-controlled legislature, mandated that the text of the Ten Commandments be displayed in a “large, easily readable font” in every classroom and allowed—but did not require—the inclusion of additional historical documents, such as the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence. The displays were also to be accompanied by a context statement about the role of the Ten Commandments in American public education.

Plaintiffs Hail Decision as Victory for Religious Freedom

In the case, the plaintiffs, represented by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, argued that the law’s requirements infringed on their families’ religious-freedom rights. Rev. Darcy Roake, a plaintiff, praised the ruling, saying, “We are grateful for this decision, which honors the religious diversity and religious-freedom rights of public school families across Louisiana.” She emphasized that religious education should take place at home and within faith communities, not through state mandates.

Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the decision “ensures that Louisiana families – not politicians or public-school officials – get to decide if, when and how their children engage with religion.” She argued the outcome should send a strong message to lawmakers seeking to impose religious standards in public education.

State Officials Prepare Appeal to Supreme Court

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed strong disagreement with the court’s ruling and vowed to pursue further legal action, stating her office would “immediately seek relief from the full Fifth Circuit and, if necessary, the U.S. Supreme Court.”

The case, which began after the law took effect in January, has also drawn attention from other Republican-led states considering similar measures. Arkansas has passed a comparable statute, and more states may join the debate as legal battles over religion in public schools continue nationwide.

The appeals court ruling places a preliminary injunction on the law, preventing it from being enforced in the affected districts. Plaintiffs successfully demonstrated that the displays would cause an “irreparable” violation of First Amendment rights, according to the court.

As the issue moves toward potential review by the Supreme Court, advocates for religious freedom and state officials alike are preparing for the next stage in the ongoing debate over the proper relationship between government and religion in American public schools.