New law in Louisiana The Ten Commandments must hang in every classroom
A new law in a US state requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public educational institutions. Civil rights groups want to sue against it.
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- A new law is coming into force in the US state of Louisiana.
- In state schools and universities, the Ten Commandments must be displayed in all lecture halls and classrooms.
- Civil rights groups consider the law to be unconstitutional.
A law in the US state of Louisiana is causing a stir: The Ten Commandments are to be displayed in classrooms and lecture halls at state schools and universities by the beginning of next year.
A law to this effect came into force in the southern US state on Wednesday. It provides for the Ten Commandments to be displayed in "large, easy-to-read lettering" in classrooms, as well as in state kindergartens. Civil rights groups consider the law to be unconstitutional and have announced that they will file a lawsuit.
The law was drafted by representatives of the Republican Party, which has a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the Louisiana legislature. The text of the law emphasizes the historical component of the Ten Commandments: it is a significant document for the founding of the USA and the creation of the federal state, it says.
The posters would be accompanied by the addition that the Ten Commandments "have been an important part of public education in America for nearly three centuries". The posters are to be financed by donations. State funds are therefore not to be used for this.
"Religious coercion of pupils"
Opponents of the new law, on the other hand, speak of "religious coercion of pupils". The constitution guarantees everyone the right to decide for themselves what religious beliefs they have and practise. There is religious and ideological diversity at educational institutions in Louisiana, where everyone should feel safe and welcome.
"We will not allow the Louisiana legislature to undermine these rights to religious freedom," reads a joint statement published by several groups. They will take legal action against this.
Louisiana is the first and so far only state with such a law. However, similar considerations have also been made in Texas, Oklahoma and Utah. However, they have not yet been implemented there, partly due to fears of lawsuits.