A controversial Louisiana law ordering the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school and state-funded university classroom has been struck down by a federal appeals court.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday that the law violates the First Amendment, upholding an earlier district court decision that deemed the legislation unconstitutional, as Fox News reports.

The law, House Bill 71, was approved last year by Louisiana’s Republican-controlled legislature. It required that the Ten Commandments be prominently displayed in all public classrooms in a “large, easily readable font.”

Along with the Commandments, schools were instructed to post a context statement about the historical place of the Ten Commandments in American education, with the option to include several founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Mayflower Compact.

Legal challenges swiftly followed. A group of parents filed a lawsuit in June 2024 claiming the law unconstitutionally intertwined public education with religious doctrine. These families were represented by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a national organization advocating for the separation of religion and government. Their core argument rested on the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

In November, a district court issued a preliminary injunction halting the law’s enforcement in five Louisiana school districts where the plaintiffs resided. After several months of deliberation, a three-judge panel on the federal appeals court affirmed the district court’s judgment on Friday, agreeing that the law posed a grave constitutional violation.

Court: Faith to remain separate

The appellate judges confirmed the district court’s assessment, writing in their ruling that the law was “plainly unconstitutional.” They found that compelling schools to post a religious text infringed on students' and families’ First Amendment rights by promoting a specific set of beliefs in a public institution monitored and funded by the government.

“Plaintiffs have shown that those displays will cause an ‘irreparable’ deprivation of their First Amendment rights,” the court stated in its opinion. The court’s decision reinforced the principle that public education in America must remain neutral on matters of religion, allowing families, not politicians, to decide what their children are taught theologically.

Reverend Darcy Roake, a plaintiff in the case and parent of a public-school student, praised the decision, calling it a victory for religious freedom. “We are grateful for this decision, which honors the religious diversity and religious-freedom rights of public school families across Louisiana,” Roake said.

Plaintiffs emphasize family's role

Roake, who comes from an interfaith family, explained that her household believes religious formation should happen at home or within religious communities, not in taxpayer-funded classrooms. “As an interfaith family, we believe that our children should receive their religious education at home and within our faith communities, not from government officials,” she added.

Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, echoed this sentiment. She said the ruling gives families the power to control their children’s religious upbringing and protects the diversity of belief in Louisiana’s public schools.

“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,” Laser said. “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.”

Louisiana officials vow to continue fight

Despite the legal setback, Louisiana’s top law enforcement official said the fight isn’t over. State Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed disappointment in the ruling during an interview with NOLA.com, calling it a misinterpretation of constitutional rights.

“We strongly disagree with the ruling,” Murrill said. She announced plans to immediately seek a review from the full 5th Circuit appeals court and, if necessary, take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The law’s defeat comes at a time when several Republican-led states are considering similar legislation. Arkansas is one of the states reportedly exploring policies that could mandate the display of religious documents in publicly funded institutions. This trend has intensified debates nationwide about the proper boundary between church and state.

Lessons to learn

Though this case isn’t a violent crime, it underscores some important legal and societal safeguards that all residents should understand to protect their rights and the rights of their children:

1. Safeguard your constitutional rights: Citizens should stay informed about new laws and how they might impact civil liberties. Recognizing early signs of unconstitutional policies allows individuals to take prompt legal action.
2. Speak up as a community: This case illustrates how a small group of committed parents and a supportive legal team can enact meaningful change. Community involvement and public pressure remain critical in holding lawmakers accountable.
3. Know the separation between religion and government: Understanding the legal boundary between personal faith and public institutions helps avoid violations of individual or communal beliefs. Still, it's important to remember that no matter what precautions are taken, constitutional overreach can affect anyone, and the existence of such laws is never the victim's fault.

Why this story matters

This decision, according to its supporters, protects the religious freedom and autonomy of thousands of students and parents across Louisiana.

It affirms, they argue, a foundational American principle: that government should not favor or promote a particular religious doctrine.

With similar legislation appearing in other states, the ruling may influence national policy and safeguard educational environments from what many contend is unlawful religious coercion.