Louisiana Rep Dodie Horton Reacts to 10 Commandments Decision

The controversy of the Ten Commandments being displayed in all Louisiana public school classrooms is once again back in the news.  Louisiana State Representative Dodie Horton, from Haughton, LA, presented HB71 last June during the 2024 Regular Session of the Louisiana House.

That bill required that the Ten Commandments be displayed in all Louisiana public school classrooms. In essence, Louisiana HB71 is a legislative effort to introduce the Ten Commandments into public school classrooms as an historical and moral initiative, but widely challenged by opponents as an unconstitutional breach of the separation of church and state.

But now, a 3 judge panel of federal appellate judges ruled on Friday that HB71 is unconstitutional, violating the often misunderstood mandate of the "separation of church and state."

The phrase, "Separation of Church and State" actually isn't explicitly in the U.S. Constitution.  The phrase comes from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists in 1802, where he referred to a "wall of separation between Church and State."

Many argue their point from the First Amendment Establishment Clause, which states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."  Which was a direct reference to the Church of England.  The original intent was not to "keep Christians out of government", but rather, to keep the government out of religion.

Rep. Horton told KEEL News on Friday:

AG Murrell expected to loose the first Fifth Circuit appeal because of the liberal leaning 3 judge panel that we drew. She will now request an “ En Bach” panel( full fifth circuit panel of Judges) to hear the case. So she will continue the appeals process in which I am confident we will prevail. But ultimately the case will be decided by the US Supreme Court. Whichever side loses after the case is heard before the Full Fifth Circuit, they will then take it to the Supreme Court.

I know God’s timing is perfect and ultimately I believe we will prevail.