Appeals court blocks Louisiana's mandate for Ten Commandments displays in classrooms

In the United States, on June 21, 2025, a federal appeals court upheld a ruling against Louisiana's House Bill 71, which mandated that public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments. Legal challenges were raised by parents and the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, asserting that the law violated the First Amendment's Establishment Clause by promoting a particular religious viewpoint in public schools. The 5th Circuit court emphasized that students would face unwelcome displays of religious content throughout their education without an opt-out option, thus siding with the plaintiffs. The court's decision reaffirmed a commitment to the separation of church and state, highlighting that public education should remain inclusive of all faiths, not favoring one particular belief system over others. The law, initially signed by Governor Jeff Landry, had sparked significant controversy and debate surrounding constitutional rights and religious freedom, as well as the role of state mandates in educational environments. Following the ruling, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed intentions to appeal to the full panel of the 5th Circuit and potentially escalate the case to the Supreme Court, aiming for a re-evaluation of the decision. This ongoing legal battle reflects a broader trend of attempts in various states to integrate religious instruction within educational frameworks, raising significant questions about the future of religious education in public schools across the country.