Governor Defends Ten Commandments in Classrooms

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry defended the state's new law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms during a press conference on Monday. In response to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law, Landry suggested that parents who oppose the display should simply instruct their children "not to look" at it. He emphasized the principle of majority rule, arguing that the law reflects the will of the people in Louisiana, despite dissent from some parents and advocacy groups. The legislation, known as House Bill 71, was passed by a Republican-controlled legislature with bipartisan support in June. It requires that the Ten Commandments be displayed prominently in classrooms, with posters measuring at least 11 by 14 inches. Landry asserted that the law was a reflection of the democratic process, stating that the majority should have the right to determine what is displayed in schools. Critics of the law, including Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, have expressed outrage at the governor's comments. Gaylor described the law as an "egregious violation of conscience," arguing that it imposes a specific religious viewpoint on all students. The law does not allocate public funds for the posters; instead, it relies on private donations for their production and installation in schools. As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of this law on religious freedom and public education in Louisiana remain a contentious topic.