Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – A federal judge has temporarily halted a new Louisiana law that would have required the installation of ten commands in all public classrooms beginning in January. Judge John W. DeGravels in Baton Rouge declared the law "manifestly illegal."

The judge ruled that the law's intent was clearly religious, rejecting state officials' claim that they could impose the Ten Commandments because of their historical significance as part of the foundation of United States law. He reminded that none of the other fundamental documents, including the Constitution and Bill of Rights, are required to be installed in classrooms.

In an order temporarily halting the law's implementation, deGravels said opponents of the law would likely win their ongoing lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that the law conflicts with the First Amendment, which prevents the government from establishing a religion or interfering with religious freedom. Opponents also argued that a large and conspicuous display of the Ten Commandments might alienate non-Christian students.

DeGravels argued that the law amounts to illegal religious coercion by the government on students.

The law was passed by the Republican-leaning Louisiana House, a religiously conservative state, and has the support of Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump.

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