Louisiana’s new law, starting January 2025, requires all K-12 classrooms to display the Christian Testament’s Ten Commandments, which will be publicly endorsed. This has already raised concerns regarding the separation of church and state.
The Ten Commandments consist of a religious set of rules from the Old Testament:
- You shall have no other gods before me
- You shall not make idols
- You shall not take the name of the lord your god in vain
- Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy
- Honor your father and your mother
- You shall not murder
- You shall not commit adultery
- You shall not steal
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
- You shall not covet
The passing of the following legislation has embarked on controversies amongst Christian conservatives, both supporters and non-supporters alike, who oppose the idea because it blurs the separation of church and state.
According to Yahoo News, the supporters argued that the Ten Commandments are not solely for religious purposes but for “historical significance to the foundation of U.S. law.”
Whereas the opponents, including various advocacy groups, argued that this law will further alienate non-Christian students and create an unsafe environment that “will isolate students.”
The law requires the Ten Commandments to be printed on a poster or a framed document no smaller than 11×14 inches. This requirement raises further questions about how religious texts will be integrated into an educational environment that is supposed to be inclusive of all beliefs.
Louisiana is now the first state to pass this law. According to the Federalist, hanging the Ten Commandments won’t “go very far,” senior editor John Daniel Davidson said. “The Ten Commandments should be taught in classrooms, not just hung on walls.”
This law reveals similar efforts in Texas. Conservative Christians have tried to get this legislation passed (Senate Bill 1515) numerous times, although it was shot down. With Louisiana setting this precedent, there is an increased possibility that it may motivate other states to follow.
Critics argue this trend could be dangerous because it could open up the floodgates for further religious reforms in classrooms, including potential pushes for teaching the Ten Commandments as a part of the curriculum.
As Louisiana paves the way, will other conservative states conform? What does this mean for the future of religious freedom in America? It is crucial to reflect on the values we want our education to showcase.
*Editor’s note: Stephanie Kim is a student writer. All views expressed in the commentary are her own and are independent of the district, Rouse High School and the publication.