Ten Commandments Could Soon Hang in Louisiana Schools

Before long, you will likely see displays of the 10 Commandments in classrooms across Louisiana. The full U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has cleared the way for this practice to start. But this is not the end of this legal feud.

In a 12–6 ruling issued Friday, the court vacated a previous injunction that had blocked the law since 2024. The majority opinion argued that the legal challenge brought by a multi-faith group of parents was "premature," asserting that judges cannot rule on the law's constitutionality "in the abstract." This legal battle has been dragging on for a couple of years.

What Does the Ruling Mean?

Essentially, the judges say they have to wait until the displays are actually posted in classrooms before they can act on the constitutionality of the law. The court ruling says "We cannot yet know how the text will be used."  The court notes, that until the posters are physically hung, it is impossible to determine if they violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.

State Leaders Call this a Victory

This ruling is a pretty big win for Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill. Murrill, who has already issued guidance and model poster designs to school districts, praised the decision. Murrill says "don’t kill or steal shouldn’t be controversial." She says "Louisiana public schools should follow the law."

But this won't end the battle in the courts. The ACLU of Louisiana described the ruling as "disgraceful," arguing it forces families into a "game of constitutional whack-a-mole" where each individual classroom display may now require a separate legal challenge.

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Haughton Representative Dodie Horton authored the bill and wants it implemented across the state. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino, emphasize that this is not a final ruling on the law's merits. Instead, the court has reset the clock. As schools begin implementing House Bill 71, new "as-applied" challenges are expected to flood the courts within the next six to twelve months, likely setting the stage for a definitive showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court.