A Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in every public classroom is “unconstitutional on its face” and may not go into effect Jan. 1 as state officials hoped, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge John W….
Decision on Louisiana Ten Commandments law due by Nov. 15
A federal judge said he will decide by Nov. 15 whether to temporarily block a Louisiana law requiring classroom displays of the Ten Commandments beginning Jan. 1. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles heard oral arguments Oct. 21 in Roake…
Our most basic freedom — deciding one’s own religion
My most recent column was on Christian nationalism and the threat that movement poses to religious freedom. Some would say that is our most basic freedom — to make our own way through the thicket of religions that clamor for…
Louisiana calls lawsuit aimed at Ten Commandments in classrooms ‘premature’
A lawsuit challenging a new Louisiana law requiring posting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms is premature because the measure has yet to be implemented, state Attorney General Liz Murrill said. Signed into law June 19, the legislation mandates…
Church/state mandates then and now: A tenuous freedom
Church/state mandates began early in the American colonies. On July 19, 1651, three Baptists — John Clarke, Obadiah Holmes and John Crandall — traveled from Newport, R.I., to Lynn, Mass., and the home of William Witter, who requested their visit…
Ryan Walters descends from the Capitol with new commandments for Oklahoma teachers
The handwriting is on the wall for Oklahoma teachers. Anyone who knows the Jewish and Christian Scriptures would understand that statement is a riff on a well-known passage from Daniel 5:5 where mysterious handwriting appeared on the wall with a…
Plaintiffs ask Louisiana judge to bar implementation of Ten Commandments law immediately
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against mandatory Ten Commandments displays in Louisiana public classrooms have asked a federal court to bar implementation of the new law as their litigation proceeds. Signed into law June 19, House Bill 71 requires the posting…
Jesus and the Ten Commandments
As a person who tries, however poorly, to live as a Jesus follower, I find myself fearing people who have only a casual acquaintance with Christianity might assume all Christians are applauding the recent Louisiana legislation that mandates posting the…
That Ten Commandments law isn’t the worst thing about Louisiana’s ‘Dream Big’ act for public education
Much attention has been given to Louisiana’s House Bill 71 recently signed into law, which requires every public school — including state universities — to prominently display the Ten Commandments in all classrooms. But HB 71 wasn’t the only bill…