A federal judge said he will decide by Nov. 15 whether to temporarily block a Louisiana law requiring classroom displays of the Ten Commandments beginning Jan. 1. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles heard oral arguments Oct. 21 in Roake v. Brumley , a lawsuit filed in June to challenge the state’s mandate that framed or poster copies of the Decalogue be displayed in every public elementary, secondary and post-secondary school. A motion for preliminary injunction was filed in July to block the displays while the lawsuit is pending. Judge John deGravelles The nine Christian, Jewish and nonreligious plaintiffs argue House Bill 71 violates the First Amendment prohibition against government promotion of religion, that it usurps parental authority in religious instruction and would lead to alienation of non-Christian students. The state contends there is no constitutional violation because the commandments will be presented for their historical contribution to the foundation of state and national law, culture and tradition. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed HB-71 into law June 19 and subsequently declared his eagerness to be sued in order to get the issue before the conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices. But legal historian and law professor Steven Green testified during […]

By : Markus McDowell