Appeals Court Rules Against Ten Commandments Law in LA
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Appeals Court Rules Against Ten Commandments Law in LA
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An appeals court panel has unanimously ruled against a recently passed Louisiana law that requires the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.
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A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a decision on Friday upholding a lower court ruling against House Bill 71, which was passed last year.
Circuit Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez, a Biden appointee, authored the panel opinion, ruling that the law “inflicts significant practical harm on Plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights.”
“As noted, if H.B. 71 goes into effect, Students will be subjected to unwelcome displays of the Ten Commandments for the entirety of their public school education. There is no opt-out option,” wrote Ramirez.
Americans United for Separation of Church & State, a progressive group that is helping to represent the families and clergy suing Louisiana, celebrated the appeals court panel ruling.
“This ruling will ensure that Louisiana families — not politicians or public-school officials — get to decide if, when and how their children engage with religion,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, in a statement.
“It should send a strong message to Christian nationalists across the country that they cannot impose their beliefs on our nation’s public-school children. Not on our watch.”
Last June, Gov. Jeff Landry signed HB 71, which mandated that public school classrooms display a copy of the Ten Commandments that is at least 11 inches by 14 inches in size by January.
The new law also permitted public schools to display other historical documents, such as the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence and the Northwest Ordinance.
“If you want to respect the rule of law you’ve got to start from the original law given, which was Moses,” said Landry at the signing ceremony last year.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill championed the new law on social media shortly after it was signed, explaining that she would be honored to defend the legislation in court.
“The 10 Commandments are pretty simple (don’t kill, steal, cheat on your wife), but they also are important to our country’s foundations,” she tweeted. “Moses, who you may recall brought the 10 Commandments down from Mount Sinai, appears eight times in carvings that ring the United States Supreme Court Great Hall ceiling. I look forward to defending the law.”
Soon after HB 71 was signed into law, a coalition of progressive legal groups filed a complaint against Louisiana on behalf of an interfaith group of individuals with minor children enrolled in Louisiana public schools.
What do you think of Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law? Share your thoughts and prayers below.
This article was originally published at The Christian Post. Photo Credit: Myotus – Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=140804836.
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Here’s the problem that I see in the lower court’s ruling against HB 71, which was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
It sends the wrong message that the First Amendment Rights afforded, and guaranteed, to all Americans could be used, by an offended group of individuals, to silence the very same rights of others, in this case, Louisiana Judeo-Christians.
Stating that HB 71 “inflicts significant practical harm on Plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights” equitably inflicts the same significant harm on the Defense’s First Amendment rights. It goes both ways.
As reference, the Plaintiffs against HB 71 is represented by Americans United for Separation of Church & State, a progressive group.
Contextually, the God of the followers of Jesus Christ are given the Great Commission to reveal the gospel about the good news of mankind’s salvation. A written expression of this belief is included in the First Amendment Rights. Therefore, a display of Moses’ 10 Commandments in public does not violate it. The act of displaying a belief is not an imposition on others, but, rather, a broadcast to be read. Period.
The ruling of a lower court against HB 71, upheld by a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, prevents Louisiana Christians from dutifully carrying out the practice of their God-given Great Commission. That, in itself, is an absolute form of religious persecution.
In effect, the erroneous ruling suppresses the right of Louisiana Christians to openly and freely express their religious convictions. It is morally unfair and unjust, and should be interpreted, and overridden, by a higher court as a gross violation of Judeo-Christian religious rights.
I find that the oppositional HB 71 ruling is grounded on appeasing the Plaintiffs’ sentiments at the expense of Christians, instead of the adherence to uphold the First Amendment Rights itself.
Lord we lift up the state of Michigan and ask for you to move to put the 10 commandments, and the constitution, as well as daily prayer back into our schools. Lord, may Your history, biblical history be taught as a parallel narrative and let the suppression of the truth be stopped dead in its tracks. May light shine in the minds of our children, and the renewing of their minds be evident through the transformative power of your word, and your presence. Praise Your name, and may it be Holy and honored throughout our country once again.
Last week Tim Barton joined us at My Faith Votes for an inspiring webinar that captivated our audience, drawing enthusiastic engagement throughout. He shared fascinating insights into America’s educational heritage—revealing how early schoolchildren learned to read from the Bible and how our first education laws reflected a deeply rooted biblical worldview. Tim also unpacked the power of understanding our nation’s true history, explaining how this knowledge equips us to reclaim what’s taught in schools across the country. Included in his presentation was a helpful briefing on the Ten Commandments which was designed to empower you to advocate for similar legislation in your state. I am compelled to share it with you here.
https://vimeo.com/1094916727/f6bd9fcf44?share=copy
Especially around the 43mm is where Tim addresses the 10 Commandments and the legality of posting them via the overturned “Lemon Law”.
The TEN COMMANDMENTS TABLET SHOULD BE DISPLAYED IN EVERY SCHOOL AND OFFICE BUILDING.
Lord God our Father in heaven, Send revival in our world, country and in the state of Louisiana. May we, your people ‘POST’ the Ten Commandments in whatever creative way we can by sharing, sharing, sharing this wonderful ‘law of Liberty’. Reminding ourselves of Jesus summary of the 10, Love God, Love your neighbor.
Greater, Greater, Greater is He who is in us that they that are in the world. In Jesus Name
Amen
Perhaps if it were reworded & retitled! Ha…. “WAYS TO BE SUCCESSFUL” in all areas of life!!
Nah! God cannot be “downplayed”!!
Lord we pray that our LA, 10 commandments law makes it to the Supreme Court where it is upheld & the long standing precedent from the 60’s of separation of church and state doctrine that took prayer out of the schools in the Engle v. Vitale decision is overturned just like Dobbs overturned Roe. We receive Your victory in Jesus name, Amen!
I believe Lord that you are saving America and restoring it to it’s godly foundation. We as a people need to turn our eyes back on you and keep them there. We have let our children be taught by people who think they can play God and want their plans to succeed. I am praying Your plan succeeds and we learn to bend the knee and humbly walk in obedience with you. Forgive us Lord for thinking we don’t need you, please Have Your Way With Us. In Jesus’ holy name I pray.
The 10 commandments should be posted in every public institution including public schools. It is the right of God’s creation to know what God their Creator expects from them. To keep it from them, beginning at the youngest of ages is the worst form of child abuse known to man. Those who oppose God will one day answer to God for offending His creation by keeping His laws and Word from them. Separation of church and state has been taken way out of context and far away from the will of Almighty God. He wants all people’s to know Him.
Lord, the perfect prayer is what You taught us, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done …” Your gave us the Ten Commandments, not merely suggestions. We believe these Commandments are necessary for ALL people to live according to Your truth, plans and purposes. We pray You be honored and obeyed. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. Your truth be made known to all people. This we pray in the precious Name of Jesus Christ
I will continue to pray that this law be passed. The 10 commandments should be displayed in every public school. Father God your Will Be Done..
Amen . I will pray that this progressive courts actions are reversed. Remember, with God all things are possible .