Baton Rouge, Louisiana, September 26, 2025
News Summary
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Louisiana’s law requiring public schools and colleges to display the Ten Commandments is unconstitutional. This ruling reaffirms First Amendment protections regarding religious expression in public education. The law, which mandated the display of a Ten Commandments poster in schools, faced legal challenges from parents who claimed it violated their rights. The court’s decision echoed a 1980 Supreme Court case that set a precedent on the separation of church and state. The implications of this ruling may influence similar legislation in other states, including Texas.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down a Louisiana law that mandated public schools and colleges to display the Ten Commandments. The court ruled the law to be plainly unconstitutional, reaffirming the protections as outlined in the First Amendment, which governs religious expression in public education.
This law, passed by the Louisiana legislature in 2024, required that a poster or framed document featuring the Ten Commandments be displayed prominently in every public school. The specifications included that the poster must be at least 11 inches by 14 inches, and that the text of the Ten Commandments should be printed in a large, readable font to ensure visibility. In addition to the commandments themselves, a “context statement” that detailed the history and significance of the Ten Commandments in American public education was also mandated.
Schools were instructed to either accept donated posters or use donated funds to procure them, and the law was set to go into effect on January 1, 2025. However, a group of public school parents raised concerns, claiming that the law violated their First Amendment rights. They filed a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality.
In November, a U.S. District Court deemed the law unconstitutional and prohibited its enforcement. The 5th Circuit Court’s recent ruling has upheld this decision, reinforcing the previous court’s interpretation that the law does not comply with the constitutional standards of separation between church and state.
The ruling also referenced a precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1980, which struck down a Kentucky law that similarly required the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. Following this pattern, the court concluded that Louisiana’s law infringed upon the constitutional rights of students and their families.
As discussions continue, the ruling may soon be appealed to the Supreme Court, which could set a nationwide precedent for similar laws in other states. Notably, Texas has already introduced Senate Bill 10, a law similar to Louisiana’s legislation. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has indicated his intention to sign this bill into law, which has sparked concerns from civil liberties groups, including the ACLU of Texas. The ACLU has stated that they will pursue legal action if Senate Bill 10 is signed, underscoring the broader implications for religious representation in public schools across state lines.
The overarching debate continues to pose critical questions regarding the role of religious symbolism in public education environments and the balance of rights protected under the First Amendment.
FAQ Section
What did the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rule regarding the Louisiana law on Ten Commandments display in schools?
What were the requirements of the now-struck Louisiana law?
When was the Louisiana law set to take effect?
What precedent did the 5th Circuit refer to in its ruling?
What other actions are occurring in relation to similar laws in other states?
Key Features of the Louisiana Law
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Law Status | Struck down by 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals |
| Law Requirements | Display of the Ten Commandments poster at least 11×14 inches |
| Context Statement | Required history and significance of the Ten Commandments |
| Effective Date | Set for January 1, 2025 |
| Legal Challenges | Public school parents sued, citing First Amendment violations |
| Related Legislation | Texas Senate Bill 10 may invoke similar legal scrutiny |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Political Influence Threatens Academic Freedom in Southern Universities
Ruling Strikes Down Ten Commandments Law in Louisiana Schools
Concerns Over Governance in LSU Presidential Search
Texas House Advances Bill for Ten Commandments in Classrooms
Shreveport Welcomes a Promising Crawfish Season in 2025
Caddo Commission Opposes Law Requiring Display of 10 Commandments in Public Schools
Trump Expresses Support for Displaying Ten Commandments in Schools at Evangelical Conference
Additional Resources
- Fox 4 News
- New York Times
- Louisiana Radio Network
- KNOE
- Shreveport Times
- Wikipedia: First Amendment
- Google Search: First Amendment education
- Google Scholar: constitutional law First Amendment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: First Amendment
- Google News: Ten Commandments law Louisiana
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
