By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A Louisiana federal courtroom is set to hear arguments regarding the constitutionality of a law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. This case will be heard by all 17 active judges of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, an unusual occurrence. The legal challenge stems from concerns about the First Amendment’s establishment clause and the potential endorsement of a specific religion. Both Texas and Louisiana have laws mandating the display of the Ten Commandments, prompting lawsuits and differing rulings from lower courts, with appeals expected regardless of the outcome.
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Texas to defend law requiring Ten Commandments in classrooms. Honestly, this whole situation feels like a bit of a waste of time and money, especially when you consider that a high school civics student could probably explain why this law likely violates the Establishment Clause. I mean, it’s not exactly a secret. And the hypocrisy is just… well, it’s something else. You’ve got folks pushing for these commandments, and yet, some of the most prominent figures who advocate for this have a track record that suggests they’re not exactly living by them. It’s almost comical.
Speaking of which, if we’re going down this road of religious displays in classrooms, shouldn’t The Satanic Temple have just as much of a right to share their beliefs? After all, they’re officially recognized as a religion by the IRS, with church status and tax-exempt benefits, and they focus on humanism, empathy, and the separation of church and state. They even have their own tenets, centered on compassion, justice, and the importance of scientific understanding. Shouldn’t they get a seat at the table too? It would be interesting.
The heart of the matter seems to be the perceived connection between the Ten Commandments and the foundations of our educational and judicial systems. However, it’s hard to see how those dots connect, especially when the commandments are cherry-picked and sometimes, well, a little outdated. The version that makes its way into the classroom will be interesting. Plus, if it’s about foundational documents, shouldn’t we also be posting the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in every classroom? Just saying.
And let’s be real, what version of the Ten Commandments are we talking about here? There are variations, and some of the original text is pretty problematic in modern times. This is probably going to be a battle, but a lot of people see this as a clear violation of the separation of church and state.
It’s difficult to understand the logic behind forcing the display of religious texts in public schools. And when we consider the selective application of those very commandments by some of the most vocal proponents of the law, it’s hard to take it seriously. It feels more like a political move, pandering to a specific group, than a genuine attempt to improve education or uphold moral values.
The law will, inevitably, be challenged. And honestly, it’s not hard to see why. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment is pretty clear. So here’s another point: it’s not their money, it’s the state’s. This is an unnecessary use of taxpayer money. They will be using money to defend something that is obviously an unconstitutional violation of the establishment clause. But when it comes to supporting schools, the Texas government can rarely find money.
It’s all about priorities. And in the end, it’s a bit sad that the focus is on a religious display, while fundamental issues facing our schools are ignored. Ultimately, this law feels like another example of political posturing, designed to appease a specific part of the electorate while potentially violating the Constitution. It’s a lose-lose situation, and it’s difficult to see how it benefits anyone besides the politicians.