Court Allows Ten Commandments Law in Louisiana Schools

A US federal appeals court has temporarily lifted a trial court's ruling that blocked a Louisiana law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the earlier ruling should only apply to the school boards involved in the lawsuit, allowing other school boards to proceed with implementation. This decision follows U.S. District Judge John deGravelles' finding that the law is unconstitutional, which remains in effect pending appeal. While the law mandates the display in all Louisiana public classrooms and universities by January 1, the appellate court's order allows the state to notify only the defendant school boards of the ruling while the broader appeal is ongoing. Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed intentions to work with non-defendant school boards to implement the law promptly. The controversy centers around concerns that the law promotes religious beliefs in public education, which the initial ruling highlighted as unconstitutional.