The Republican governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, has now made it official – a first in US legislation: With his signature on a up-to-date law, his state now requires that a copy of the Bible’s Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom:
above the NYT:
Governor Jeff Landry signed a law on Wednesday requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public classrooms in Louisiana, making the state the only one with such a requirement and reigniting the debate over how permeable the line between church and state should be.
Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, announced a legal battle against the law, which they considered “manifestly unconstitutional.”
In signing the bill, Landry explained why it is so vital:
Anyone who wants to respect the rule of law must start with the original legislator, namely Moses.
Here you can find more information about the regulations of the School Act:
The Louisiana measure requires the commandments to be posted in every public elementary, middle and high school classroom, as well as in public college classrooms. Posters must be no smaller than 11 by 14 inches, and the commandments must be “the central focus of the poster” and appear “in a large, easily readable font.”
It will also include a three-paragraph statement claiming that the Ten Commandments have been “an important part of the American public education system for nearly three centuries.”
This reflects adherents’ claim that the Ten Commandments are not a purely religious text, but also a historical document. They argue that the instructions God gave to Moses in the Book of Exodus have a major influence on US law.
Although no lawsuits have been filed yet, progressive opponents of a mandatory imposition of the Ten Commandments in the classroom were quick to speak out harshly about their introduction:
Critics said the law was a clear violation of the Constitution. In a joint statement, groups including the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Southern Poverty Law Center argued that the law “violates the fundamental right of students and families to religious freedom.”
“Our public schools are not Sunday schools,” the statement said, “and students of all faiths or no faith should feel welcome in them.”
Before the signing ceremony on Wednesday, Governor Landry spoke at a Republican fundraiser on Saturday about the expected lawsuits – and he sounded ready for the challenge: “I can’t wait to get sued.”
This is a developing story. RedState will keep you updated on the next step from here.
