Louisiana has taken a cue from Alabama in promoting public displays of the Ten Commandments, and has even gone further than its predecessor.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry recently made a statement at a bill-signing ceremony, stating that “If you want to respect the rule of law, you got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses.” However, the American Civil Liberties Union has already announced plans to sue in response to this statement.
Legal battles over the commandments are not uncommon in Alabama. In 2001, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore made headlines by placing a granite monument in the Alabama Judicial Building’s lobby. However, this action sparked legal challenges that ultimately resulted in his removal from office.
Back in 2018, the citizens of Alabama voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that ensures the right of public schools and public bodies to exhibit the Ten Commandments on their owned or administered properties. However, the amendment specifies that the display of the Ten Commandments should comply with constitutional requirements, including the inclusion of other historical or educational items.
The law that Landry signed, which requires the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, is the complete opposite of this new development.
Residents from neighboring Gulf Coast states have differing opinions on the issue of bringing religion back into schools in Louisiana. Raymond Sinele, a Mississippi resident who was visiting his grandchildren in Mobile on Friday, expressed his support for the initiative.
“He believes that the Ten Commandments should be mandatory and never disregarded,” he stated. “I am a firm believer that the Ten Commandments hold great importance as they are guided by the divine. It is the majority’s wish to uphold the value of the Ten Commandments.”
In his statement, he emphasized that the majority should have the power to make decisions and the minority should no longer hold the reins of authority.
According to Mobile local, Aaron Etheridge, he sees no issue with having the Ten Commandments available in schools on a voluntary basis. However, he expresses discomfort with the government enforcing its presence.
In an interview with FOX10 News, he expressed his opinion on whether every school should be mandated to have it. He believes that imposing a particular religion on everyone is not appropriate since not everyone follows the same faith. According to him, enforcing a religion on someone could be seen as an attempt to convert them, which could create resentment towards the religion.
Alabama and Louisiana have taken different approaches on the Ten Commandments issue. The Alabama constitutional amendment includes a provision that prohibits the utilization of state funds to defend it against legal challenges.
During a fundraiser held just a few days prior to signing the new law, Landry expressed his eagerness to face a potential lawsuit by stating, “I can’t wait to be sued.”
