Lawsuit filled over Louisiana’s new ten commandments in schools law

WEST MONROE, La . (KTVE/KARD)–A controversial law that would require Louisiana schools to display the ten commandments in classrooms is under attack. NBC 10’s Joel Massey has more on both sides of the issue.

Sharron Hardwell supports the new Louisiana law to display the ten commandments in schools.

“We as a population, we as a people have truly lost sight of what it means to serve God.”

But plaintiffs are asking a federal judge to block the legislation before the new school year starts. The law says that schools must display them in every classroom by January 1 but teachers could choose to put them up them before that date.

Rachael Laser with Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.

“We are interested in being the watchdog for everyone’s religious freedom and protecting children for potentially being ostracized because they are not part of the state preferred religion.

They have asked the judge for an expedited ruling on the preliminary injunction for the week of July 29. Laser says it’s important to keep religion and government separate.

“That freedom is guaranteed by separating religion and government. That’s what protects everybody’s religious freedom and it also protects religion from government interference or intrusion.

But Hardwell says acknowledging God in schools is a good thing.

“God is not a hard God to serve, He loves us all. It’s too many people killing themselves, too many people harming themselves. Kids having body dysmorphia. Little kids being sad and depressed. It’s important they be introduced to the one that heals.”

The American Civil Liberties Union and The Freedom from Religion Foundation are also plaintiffs in the lawsuit