(DailyEmailNews.com) – In a crushing blow to religious freedom, a federal judge in Louisiana struck down a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms.
An Obama-appointed judge made the decision that threatens to erase America’s Christian heritage from education and public life.
U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles ruled that the law passed by Louisiana’s Republican-controlled legislature was “unconstitutional on its face” and “overtly religious.”
The law was set to take effect on January 1 and would have required all K-12 public schools and state-funded university classrooms to display the Ten Commandments.
It was part of a broader conservative push to incorporate essential religious teachings into public education, recognizing the crucial role of Christian values in shaping the nation.
Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill swiftly announced plans to appeal the ruling: “We strongly disagree with the court’s decision and will immediately appeal.”
With support from the ACLU and other left-leaning organizations, a group of Louisiana parents took the law to court, claiming it violates students’ constitutional rights.
ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief senior staff attorney Heather Weaver stated:
“This ruling should serve as a reality check for Louisiana lawmakers who want to use public schools to convert children to their preferred brand of Christianity. Public schools are not Sunday schools, and today’s decision ensures that our clients’ classrooms will remain spaces where all students, regardless of their faith, feel welcomed.”
Governor Jeff Landry had included this law as part of his agenda to address crucial cultural issues in Louisiana.
The governor’s office has yet to comment on the ruling, but supporters of the law argue that schools would not have been required to use public funds for the displays. They suggested that donations would have covered the costs.
The case may ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which has previously ruled against similar laws.
The appeal will now go to the conservative-leaning 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, potentially offering a more favorable venue for religious liberty defenders.
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