A federal appeals court has struck down a Louisiana law that required public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, marking a major moment in the ongoing debate over religion in public education.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that House Bill 71 violates the constitutional rights of students by mandating religious displays in public schools with no way to opt out, The Christian Post reported.

The decision by the three-judge panel came Friday, affirming a lower court’s ruling that the state law infringes upon protections guaranteed under the First Amendment. Circuit Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez, who wrote the court's opinion, said the measure would result in consistent exposure to religious scripture without recourse for dissenting families.

The now-overturned law, House Bill 71, was signed into law by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry in June 2024. It mandated that the Ten Commandments be displayed in a specific format and size—no smaller than 11 inches by 14 inches—in every public school classroom by January.

The legislation also included provisions allowing schools to display historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Mayflower Compact. However, opponents argued that the focus on the Ten Commandments primarily advanced a religious message over a historical one.

Legal Opposition Led by Interfaith Coalition

Shortly after the bill’s passage, a coalition of progressive legal organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the law. The plaintiffs in the case included clergy members and families of public school students from various religious and nonreligious backgrounds in Louisiana.

The group Americans United for Separation of Church & State played a central role in the lawsuit, representing families concerned about the religious implications for their children's education. The coalition argued that placing scripture in public school classrooms violates the wall between church and state.

Judge Ramirez supported that view in her written opinion, noting that students would be subject to "unwelcome displays" of the religious text throughout their schooling. She emphasized that there was no mechanism in place for students or their families to opt out of the exposure.

Supporters Say Law Honors Legal Tradition

Gov. Landry expressed strong support for the bill at the time of its signing in 2024, calling the Ten Commandments "the original law given" and stressing their importance in the foundation of legal systems. He suggested it was appropriate for students to be reminded of these principles in a classroom setting.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also defended the measure, citing symbolic references to Moses in federal government buildings, including depictions in the U.S. Supreme Court. She pledged her commitment to defending the law in court, highlighting the Commandments' role in American history.

On social media, Murrill wrote that the teachings listed in the Commandments—such as prohibitions against murder and theft—are fundamental to legal traditions. She called the display requirements simple and historically meaningful.

Judicial Reasoning on First Amendment Impacts

The Fifth Circuit, however, sided with the plaintiffs in evaluating the constitutional implications of mandatory religious displays. Judge Ramirez stated that implementation of the law would lead to “significant practical harm” to students’ First Amendment freedoms.

According to the court, the presence of religious documents in every classroom would effectively subject students to a state-endorsed message throughout their years of education. This, the panel concluded, imposed an undue religious burden on public school children and their families.

Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, celebrated the court’s decision. She expressed confidence that the ruling reaffirmed families’ rights to determine their children’s religious experiences without interference from government authority.

National Implications for Religious Displays

"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. She also issued a broader message to religious advocacy groups, hoping to influence public education policy.

"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," she added.

Legal experts say the unanimous opinion from the Fifth Circuit may deter similar legislation in other states. While lawmakers in various regions have expressed interest in faith-based public education initiatives, this ruling reinforces longstanding judicial interpretations of the Establishment Clause.

What Comes Next for the Controversial Law

Although opponents of the law hailed the decision as a major victory, it remains possible that the case could move to the U.S. Supreme Court, should Louisiana officials choose to appeal. However, the Supreme Court has previously ruled against similar state mandates deemed to promote religious doctrines in public schools.

The court’s decision closes the chapter for now on House Bill 71, halting its planned implementation in January. Louisiana officials have not yet announced whether they intend to pursue further appeals or propose revised legislation in response to the ruling.

In the meantime, the judgment marks a reaffirmation of the constitutional principle separating church and state in the realm of public education, placing the focus back on parental choice when it comes to religious instruction.