American state of Louisiana has directed every public school, from elementary to university level, to display a poster of the 10 Commandments.
The measure, backed by Republicans and signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry on Wednesday, described the commandments as “the foundational documents of our state and national government.”
The law is expected to face challenges from civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, who argue that the action contravenes the separation between Church and State as enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, specifically the Establishment Clause.
The Establishment Clause states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
The Louisiana law requires that a poster include the sacred text in “large, easily readable font” on a poster that is 11 inches by 14 inches (28cm by 35.5cm) and that the commandments are “the central focus” of the display.
It will also be shown alongside a four-paragraph “context statement” which will describe how the commandments “were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries”.
The posters must be on display in all classrooms receiving state funding by 2025.
Similar laws have recently been proposed by other Republican-led states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah.
On his verified X handle @LAGovJeffLandry late Wednesday, the governor tweeted, “Today, we fulfilled our promise to bring drastic reform to our education system and bring common sense back to our classrooms.
“A strong education system leads to a strong economy and a strong state.
“Our historic Dream Big Package puts the focus back on our kids, and allows Louisiana to follow in the footsteps of our neighbors in the South.
“I am thankful to the legislature for their commitment to making the education system in Louisiana one that students, parents, and teachers can all be proud of.”
There have been numerous legal battles over the display of the 10 Commandments in public buildings, including schools, courthouses and police stations.
In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar Kentucky law requiring that the document be displayed in elementary and high schools.
In a 5-4 vote, the high court ruled that the requirement that the 10 Commandments be posted “had no secular legislative purpose” and was “plainly religious in nature”.
The court noted that in addition to criminal matters like killing and stealing, the 10 Commandments also made references to worshipping God, including observing the Sabbath day.
