New Bill Requiring Ten Commandments in Classroom Sparks Outrage: 'Bizarre'

A new bill requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in school classrooms in Louisiana sparked outrage across social media on Wednesday, with some calling the bill "bizarre" and the ACLU telling Newsweek there needs to be division between church and state.

After Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry signed the bill into law on Wednesday some have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to oppose the bill and call attention to politicians and lawmakers.

X user Spiro's Ghost wrote, "Bizarre but especially so since their cult leader constantly violates them."

Context

The legislation requires a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in "large, easily readable font" in all public classrooms starting in 2025. According to the Associated Press, the bill did not receive final approval from Landry, and the time to veto the bill has lapsed. Louisiana is not the first state to consider requiring the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms as similar bills have been proposed in other states including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah.

Newsweek has reached out to Landry's office via email for comment.

What We Know

The bill makes Louisiana the first state to require the display of the Ten Commandments. The displays will also be paired with a four-paragraph "context statement" describing how the Ten Commandments "were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries."

In addition, according to the legislation the posters would be paid for through donations as state funds will not be used to implement the mandate.

However, opponents of the legislation are also calling for politicians to follow the Ten Commandments.

In another post on X, user Ishmael Mayhew wrote "They should also require the politicians who pushed for this to follow those commandments."

Meanwhile, others are praising the legislation as one political commentator and MAGA supporter Gunther Eagleman wrote on X, "Absolutely! We are one nation under God."

Views

In response to the law, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation announced they will file a lawsuit to challenge the law arguing the law violates long-standing Supreme Court precedent and the First Amendment.

"We are preparing a lawsuit to challenge H.B. 71," a joint statement announcing the lawsuit said. "The law violates the separation of church and state and is blatantly unconstitutional. The First Amendment promises that we all get to decide for ourselves what religious beliefs, if any, to hold and practice, without pressure from the government. Politicians have no business imposing their preferred religious doctrine on students and families in public schools.

"Louisiana's communities and public schools are religiously diverse, yet H.B. 71 would require school officials to promote specific religious beliefs to which people of many faiths, and those of no faith, do not subscribe.

"All students should feel safe and welcome in our public schools. H.B. 71 would undermine this critical goal and prevent schools from providing an equal education to all students, regardless of faith. We will not allow Louisiana lawmakers to undermine these religious-freedom rights."

In a emailed statement to Newsweek, ACLU of Louisiana executive director, Alanah Odoms said the legislation undermines religious freedom.

"While faith is a vital part of the lives of many, the separation of church and state is a bedrock of our nation's democratic principles. Governor Landry's mandate to display the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom undermines religious freedom and infringes upon students' and parents' constitutional rights," Odoms said.

Meanwhile, State Representative Dodie Horton, the Republican sponsor of the legislation argued, "It doesn't preach a certain religion, but it definitely shows what a moral code we all should live by is. Given all the junk our children are exposed to in classrooms today, it is imperative that we put the Ten Commandments back in a prominent position," Horton told the New York Times.

What's Next

While the displays are expected to be implemented in 2025, lawsuits are also expected to be filed in an effort to strike down the law.

Update 06/19/24 2:23 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 06/19/24 3:43 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 06/19/24 9:25 p.m. ET: This article was updated with a comment from ACLU of Louisiana.