'Not a theocracy': Internet erupts after court blocks Louisiana's Ten Commandments law

20 June

Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry, Image via screengrab/WVUE FOX 8 New Orleans.

A federal appeals court on Friday unanimously upheld a lower court ruling that found Louisiana’s law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms to be unconstitutional, marking a significant setback for the state’s efforts to enforce the controversial measure.

In a 3-0 decision, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a previous district court ruling that the statute violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion.

“Parents and students challenge a statute requiring public schools to permanently display the Ten Commandments in every classroom in Louisiana,” the court wrote in its opinion. “The district court found the statute facially unconstitutional and preliminarily enjoined its enforcement. We affirm.”

The law, known as House Bill 71, was passed earlier this year and mandated the posting of the Ten Commandments in all classrooms across public K-12 schools and state-funded universities.

The case against this measure was brought by a coalition of parents, students, and clergy, who argued the law infringed on religious freedom and failed to respect the religious diversity of public school communities.

“We are grateful for this decision, which honors the religious diversity and religious-freedom rights of public school families across Louisiana,” said Rev. Darcy Roake, one of the plaintiffs, per NBC News.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill vowed to continue defending the law, indicating the state will seek further review.

“We strongly disagree with the Fifth Circuit’s affirmance of an injunction preventing five Louisiana parishes from implementing HB71,” Murrill said in a statement, as reported by NBC. “We will immediately seek relief from the full Fifth Circuit and, if necessary, the United States Supreme Court.”

The ruling currently applies to five school districts whose families are plaintiffs in the case.

Meanwhile, social media users welcomed Friday's decision, praising the court for upholding the constitution.

Columnist Mark James Miller, reacting to the news, wrote on the social platform X: "Choke on this, fake Christians!"

"Criticizing Iranian theocratic rule while trying to do this s--- is wild. Foiled, thankfully," wrote a user on the social platform X.

Another X user wrote: "Louisiana's Ten Commandments law in public schools blocked by federal appeals court: good, because we are a democracy, NOT A THEOCRACY LIKE SAUDI ARABIA OR IRAN!"

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