Imagine walking into your child’s school and seeing the Ten Commandments posted right at the entrance. This is the reality in Louisiana, where a new law now requires every public school to display these ancient words. House Bill 71, signed into law in 2024 by Governor Jeff Landry, mandates that each school place a copy of the Ten Commandments in a prominent location, such as the main entrance or a central hallway. The intent behind this legislation is to foster a moral and ethical compass among students. To keep things clean with the constitution, these displays must be funded by private donations, not public money.
Constitutional Concerns: The Establishment Clause
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” These words from the First Amendment have shaped the way religion and government interact in America. The Supreme Court has been the guardian of this boundary, ensuring that any government action must have a secular purpose and not favor any particular faith. This new Louisiana law raises eyebrows about whether it crosses that line.
The Supreme Court’s history is rich with decisions on this matter. In Stone v. Graham (1980), the Court dealt directly with a similar issue. The case centered around a Kentucky statute that required the posting of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. The Court ruled that this law violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The key reason was that the Ten Commandments are undeniably a sacred text in the Jewish and Christian faiths. The Court noted that the preeminent purpose of posting the commandments was religious in nature, not secular. This intention, they ruled, did not pass the “Lemon test,” a three-pronged test established in Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) used to assess whether a law violates the Establishment Clause. The test checks if the law has a secular legislative purpose, neither advances nor inhibits religion, and does not foster an excessive government entanglement with religion.
The decision in Stone v. Graham underscored that merely placing a religious text in a public space does not become secular simply by asserting an educational or moral purpose. The context and the content of the Ten Commandments are inherently religious, which makes the intent behind the display crucial.
Contrast this with Van Orden v. Perry (2005), where the Court allowed a Ten Commandments monument on Texas State Capitol grounds, citing its historical and educational value amidst a broader array of displays.
Louisiana’s law, targeting public schools and young, impressionable students, doesn’t have the historical and educational context that the Texas monument did. It’s more like the Kentucky case, where the primary intent seemed to be advancing a religious message. This puts the law at odds with the Establishment Clause.
Potential Supreme Court Review and the Lemon Test
If this case were to go before the Supreme Court, the interpretation of the Lemon test might come into play. Recent decisions suggest a shift in how the Court applies the Lemon test, leaning towards a more lenient interpretation that allows for greater accommodation of religion in public spaces. For instance, in cases like American Legion v. American Humanist Association (2019), the Court upheld a World War I memorial cross, emphasizing historical context and tradition over strict adherence to the Lemon test.
However, even with this potential shift, the Louisiana law would likely face significant scrutiny. The primary issue remains that the law mandates the posting of a religious text in public schools, directly targeting young students in an educational environment. This context is crucial, as the Court has historically been more protective of the separation between church and state in public schools than in other public spaces.
The Supreme Court’s willingness to relax the application of the Lemon test in certain contexts does not negate the clear religious intent and impact of the Louisiana law. The targeted audience of public school students and the lack of broader historical or educational context make it more akin to the scenario in Stone v. Graham, which was struck down.
A Christian Perspective on the Ten Commandments
For Christians, the Ten Commandments are more than rules–they’re a divine gift, a moral compass given by God. But there’s more to them than just the surface. Christian theology teaches us that these commandments find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This brings us to the idea of theological legalism–strictly following rules without understanding their deeper meaning.
Remember the story of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22)? He kept all the commandments but still felt something was missing. Jesus told him to sell his possessions and follow Him, revealing that true devotion goes beyond rule-keeping–it’s about a relationship with God.
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40), He summarized the Ten Commandments with two profound principles: Love God and love your neighbor. This was a revolutionary shift from mere legalism to the heart of God’s message–love and relationship.
So where does this leave us with the new law in Louisiana? The responsibility of teaching the Ten Commandments and guiding children to Jesus falls squarely on the shoulders of parents and churches, not public schools. By weaving these commandments into daily life and discussions, families and faith communities can highlight their true purpose: leading us to Christ, who offers forgiveness and eternal life.
The Ten Commandments are more than a set of rules–they are a guide to a deeper, richer relationship with God. Churches and parents can help children understand and embrace these commandments, pointing them to Jesus, who fulfills the law and brings its true meaning to life. This way, the commandments serve not just as a moral checklist but as a path to love and transformation in Christ.
- Correction. This post has been updated to reflect that the governor of Louisiana who signed the law was Jeff Landry who took office earlier this year, not John Bel Edwards.