Louisiana becomes the first state to display Ten Commandments signs in public schools by law. Why and starting when?
Louisiana becomes the first state in the U.S. to display Ten Commandments signs in public schools by law. The legislation was drafted by the Republican Party and requires posters to be placed “in large, easy-to-read print” in all public school classrooms for all grades, from kindergarten through college. The bill was passed and signed into law by state Governor Jeff Landry on Wednesday, June 19.
Why will the Ten Commandments have to be displayed and starting when?
According to the wording of the bill, the purpose of displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools has to do with the historical context of the commandments and not so much with religious motives, since, it is argued, they are “fundamental documents of our state and national government.”
Also, the legislation states that the placement of the signs and the material to make the signs will not come out of state funds but from donations. The signs will have to be posted in classrooms beginning in early 2025 and must also have a legend stating that “the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of American public education for nearly three centuries.”
Lawsuit sought
Since its enactment, the measure has caused great controversy among state residents, who question its constitutionality. In fact, opponents of the measure, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have already announced that they will file a lawsuit to overturn the legislation.
Currently, Louisiana is the only state that has succeeded in making the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms legislation. However, states that have tried but failed to do so include Texas, Oklahoma and Utah.