In a disappointing blow to Louisiana families who support biblical values, U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles has blocked a newly passed law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms across the state. This law, House Bill 71, was signed into law in June and was set to take effect on New Year's Day 2025. For Christians and conservatives in Louisiana, this decision represents yet another instance of judicial activism undermining the values that built our nation.
The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, serve as a moral foundation not only for Christians but for Western civilization as a whole. These timeless principles teach respect, integrity, and responsibility—values sorely needed in today’s classrooms. By ruling against the display of these commandments, Judge deGravelles has signaled that these foundational moral standards have no place in schools, disregarding the wishes of the people of Louisiana and the lawmakers who represent them.
Judge deGravelles argued that the law is not "neutral toward religion," asserting that it violates the Free Exercise Clause. But is it truly so radical to want to instill in students basic moral teachings that transcend religion? The Ten Commandments have played an undeniable role in shaping American culture and law, guiding generations of Americans. In fact, as President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized, our nation was built on Judeo-Christian principles, and these values are essential to maintaining a strong and moral society.
The judge’s dismissal of the Ten Commandments as “too scattered” in America’s historical education reveals a disregard for the moral fabric that has held this country together. The founding fathers—many of whom were men of faith—understood that a moral society is essential to a free society. The Ten Commandments, in essence, are common-sense rules that promote personal responsibility and respect for others, principles any functioning society should uphold.
In today’s public schools, where children are exposed to a secularized curriculum that often lacks moral direction, displaying the Ten Commandments could provide much-needed guidance. With issues like bullying, disrespect, and violence on the rise, what harm could come from reminding students of principles like “Honor your father and mother” and “Do not steal”? These values teach respect and accountability, qualities that are increasingly absent from modern culture.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented nine families opposing the law, celebrated the ruling. But it’s worth asking: Who truly benefits from removing God from the classroom? When we remove God, we risk removing accountability, morality, and respect from the hearts and minds of young Americans. President Trump has consistently stood by religious liberty and the rights of Christians to express their faith freely. This decision is yet another reminder of why it is essential to have conservative judges who respect America’s Christian heritage and values.
Judge deGravelles’s ruling is a reminder of the uphill battle Christians and conservatives face in preserving America’s identity. This decision may please secular groups like the ACLU, but it leaves many parents, teachers, and students in Louisiana feeling abandoned by a system that no longer reflects their values. The people of Louisiana should have the right to uphold their faith and share these values in their classrooms.
As we move forward, it is crucial for Louisiana’s conservative leaders to continue fighting for the moral integrity of our state’s education system. If America is to remain a shining city on a hill, we must preserve the Christian values that made us great. Today’s ruling may be a setback, but it only strengthens the resolve of those who believe that faith and morality should not be banned from our schools. President Trump’s America is one that honors God, respects tradition, and values the moral principles that keep our nation strong.
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