Whos Afraid of the Ten Commandments?

Published: Friday, January 23, 2026 at 5:04 am

Fifth Circuit Court Hears Arguments on Ten Commandments in Classrooms

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is currently reviewing a case concerning the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms in Texas and Louisiana. The legal battle, which is expected to reach the Supreme Court, centers on laws enacted in both states mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, from kindergarten through university.

These laws, signed by Governors Jeff Landry of Louisiana and Greg Abbott of Texas, are based on the belief that the Ten Commandments are foundational to the rule of law and the nation's values. The laws were immediately challenged by lawsuits citing the First Amendment. District court judges initially blocked the enforcement of the laws.

The core legal question before the Fifth Circuit is whether these laws are constitutional under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." The text argues that the Establishment Clause was originally intended to prevent the federal government from establishing a national religion, allowing states to have their own religious practices. The text also challenges the common interpretation of the First Amendment as requiring a strict separation of church and state, citing the origins of this idea in a letter by Thomas Jefferson and its later adoption by the Supreme Court.

The author argues that the Ten Commandments, as a shared inheritance of both Jews and Christians, do not represent a sectarian display and that the Supreme Court itself acknowledges the importance of the Ten Commandments. The author believes the Fifth Circuit should side with Texas and Louisiana.

BNN's Perspective:

The debate over the Ten Commandments in classrooms highlights the ongoing tension between religious freedom and the separation of church and state. While the intent of the laws may be to promote moral values, the potential for legal challenges and the diverse religious landscape of the United States require careful consideration. A balanced approach that respects both religious expression and the principles of secular governance is essential.

Keywords: Ten Commandments, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, Texas, Louisiana, public schools, classroom display, religious freedom, separation of church and state, Supreme Court, legal battle, Jeff Landry, Greg Abbott, constitutional law, religious display

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