Murrill, Landry defend legality of Ten Commandments classroom law

There are ways that the 10 Commandments classroom law can be applied constitutionally — and create “powerful” teaching moments.

That is the gist of Louisiana Attorney General LIz Murrill’s brief filed Monday in Federal Court Middle District in response to litigation that posting of the 10 Commandments in public schools violates constitutional rights.

She held a news conference earlier in the day to talk about the case, and show examples of posters that represent teachable moments, and a constitutional application of the law, posters with images, information and quotes from visionary leaders including Martin Luther King, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Chief Justice John Marshall and others.

“The law signed by Gov. Jeff Landry to post the 10 Commandments in school is not blocked or paused, despite some reports by news agencies,” she said. “Compliance is still scheduled for January 2025.”

The lawsuit filed by a coalition of groups last month against the state is premature, Murrill said. It is based on hypotheticals, and she wants to see it dismissed.

“No actual injury can be proven since the plaintiffs have not seen any displays yet, the AG said. “No defendant has posted the 10 Commandments on any classroom wall, and they certainly can’t allege to have seen any that violates their constitutional rights.”

“I did not know that the Ten Commandments was such a bad way for someone to live their life,” said Landry, who noted the passing of the Ten Commandment law was a bipartisan effort.

Landry quoted John Adams saying, “Our constitution was made only for moral and religious people and is wholly inadequate for any other kind of government.” Later he added, “If we start from a moral perspective then maybe we have a little bit more peace in our society, in our country.”