Federal Appeals Court Blocks Louisiana's Ten Commandments Law

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court's decision to block Louisiana's law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, citing it as 'unconstitutional on its face.' The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit rejected the state's appeal to lift the hold while the case is litigated, maintaining that the law constitutes government-sponsored religion. Parents of diverse faiths challenged the law, arguing it infringes on First Amendment rights and promotes a particular religious viewpoint that may alienate non-Christian students. The law originally mandated the posting of the Ten Commandments in classrooms by January 1, 2025, but enforcement is currently on hold pending further court proceedings. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles emphasized that the law's coercive nature harms students who are required to attend school. Proponents of the law argue that the Ten Commandments hold historical significance in American law, but this perspective has not swayed the courts.