Staff Reports
A recent ruling from a federal judge in Louisiana has put the brakes on a mandate that public schools showcase the Ten Commandments in every classroom by January 1. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles decided that the law is “unconstitutional on its face,” because apparently, the mere suggestion of displaying the founding principles of Western civilization simply clashes with the current trendy interpretations of the First Amendment. Who knew that promoting historical documents could alienate non-Christian students, or was it just an excuse to tear down one more cornerstone of American heritage?
DeGravelles dismissed the state’s arguments that the commandments have historical significance, saying that there’s no similar requirement for the Constitution or the Bill of Rights to be hung on classroom walls. Let’s be real—when it comes to settling disputes over what’s “historically relevant,” counters like these certainly seem to build a strong case for a selective memory. The judge, presumably with a selective pair of glasses, claims that having the commandments up on the wall might coerce some poor student into an unexpected theological crisis simply by their being present. How erratic does a display have to be to provoke a student that’s merely looking at a historic document? It begs the question of how fragile some perspectives truly are.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Louisiana Law Mandating Ten Commandments In Classrooms As ‘Unconstitutional’ https://t.co/mCLaEnNRBg via @dailycaller
— David Smithers (@DavidSmithers13) November 13, 2024
Among the dissenters is Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill, who, alongside Republican Governor Jeff Landry, is rallying to challenge the ruling. They asserted a conviction that the commandments echo the nation’s legal heritage. One might think that judges are not the only ones who should know the history, but Murrill seems determined to remind them anyway. It’s an insightful moment for anyone who values the rule of law, especially when officials stand up to court decisions that appear disconnected from the sentiment of the constituents.
Supporters of the law have made it abundantly clear that they are not simply advocating for religious doctrine to invade classrooms—they see this as a “reminder” of the moral framework that shaped their society. Wouldn’t that be nice, an educational system that promotes morality instead of a curriculum more akin to a few hours of woke history lessons? In an era when the educational system is flooded with ideologies that baffle more than they educate, perhaps the Ten Commandments could serve as a guiding principle, if only school administrators would open their eyes.
This battle is just part of a greater trend in conservative states striving to reintroduce religious elements into educational settings. Louisiana isn’t working in isolation; states like Florida and Oklahoma have taken steps to integrate religious concepts into public schooling. Meanwhile, while other states may have tried to introduce similar commandments bills, they tend to face significant legal pushbacks from the same segment of society that has made discussing any foundational principles on morality a taboo. It’s as if they’re trying to strip American students of the very fabric of what made the nation great in the first place.
