A federal judge on Monday blocked a new Arkansas law requiring public classrooms to display the Ten Commandments in four of the state’s school districts. The judge’s ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed that argues the measure violates the Constitution’s separation of church and state.
The ruling
The order came from U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks and only applies to four of Arkansas’s 237 districts.
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“Why would Arkansas pass an obviously unconstitutional law?” Brooks stated in his 35-page ruling. “Most likely because the state is part of a coordinated strategy among several states to inject Christian religious doctrine into public-school classrooms.”
The injunction comes as other states like Texas and Louisiana have passed similar laws requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public classrooms. These laws in Republican states are expected to be brought to the U.S. Supreme Court eventually.
Arkansas’ law
Arkansas’ measure, which was signed into law earlier this year by GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, took effect Tuesday, mandating the Ten Commandments be put up in public classrooms and libraries.
The legal challenge to the law was filed on behalf of students’ families by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
“The court saw through this attempt to impose religious doctrine in public schools and upheld every student’s right to learn free from government-imposed faith,” John L. Williams, the legal director of the ACLU of Arkansas, said in a statement. “We’re proud to stand with our clients –– families of many different backgrounds –– who simply want their kids to get an education.”
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, who defended the rules, said he is weighing his next legal action.
The plaintiffs argument
The plaintiffs in the case argue that the mandate is in violation of the families’ constitutional rights and forces students to participate in a religion against their will by promoting Christianity over other faiths. They sought a preliminary injunction against the law while their lawsuit is ongoing.
“Permanently posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom and library –– rendering them unavoidable — unconstitutionally pressures students into religious observance, veneration and adoption of the state’s favored religious scripture,” the lawsuit states.
It’s unclear if the plaintiffs will expand the lawsuit beyond the four districts currently impacted by the judge’s ruling. The ACLU of Arkansas Executive Director Holly Bailey argues “all should refrain from posting” the Ten Commandments in public classrooms and libraries.
Similar legal challenges
Similar mandates in Texas and Louisiana are facing legal challenges. Families and religious leaders filed a lawsuit in Texas that aims to block the state’s requirement. The lawsuit was filed just days after the legislation was signed into law.
In July, Louisiana, which was the first state to require the Ten Commandments in public classrooms, had its law ruled unconstitutional by three appellate judges.
Supreme Court ruling expected
The decision was a significant victory for civil liberties advocates who argue the law goes against the separation of church and state. However, challenges to the ruling are underway, and the case is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill recently filed a petition requesting that the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit review the case.
