The state of Louisiana recently kicked a hornet's nest. Legislators there decided it would be a good idea for the Ten Commandments to be posted in every public classroom, no matter that there's a pile of legal precedent saying, "no, thou shan't."
As is usual in such culturally polarizing occurrences, some Christian believers have advanced arguments as to why this doesn't violate the Constitution. I've seen variations of "there are so many variations of Christianity, this doesn't pick one," "the Ten Commandments are an important historical milestone apart from any religious element," "'don't murder, steal, or perjure' are good values to teach," "no one is being forced to repeat or obey them," and "schools have a right to set their curriculums."
All of which come apart at the seams with the slightest tugging of thread. Before trying to rationalize the action, ponder what its most obvious purpose - or result - is. Hang a list on a wall that starts with four Commandments regarding belief and subjugation to one God above all others, and you tell anyone who’s not already of that faith, “we are right, you are wrong, and we are in charge.”
I first addressed this matter eleven years ago and brought it here to Substack about a year and a half ago, so rather than repeat the arguments, I re-offer my original analysis:
For today's follow-up, I would ask all those who like Louisiana's mandate and support the idea of posting the Ten Commandments in public (aka taxpayer-funded) schools, 'how would you feel if instead of the Ten Commandments, a state mandated the Five Pillars of Islam?
Or the Hindu Manusmriti?
Or the Ten Precepts of Buddhism?
Or the doctrines of Mormonism?
Or the Seven Fundamental Tenets of the Satanic Temple?
Or the Pastafarian Tenets of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?
There is some amount of wisdom and good life advice to be found in all of them, and some of them make no declarations as to a Creator that must be worshiped.
If any of those make you uncomfortable, but you still believe that 10C belong on public classroom walls, you're asserting or admitting - overtly or tacitly - that you believe Christianity should be set as the prime religion in America.
And that is exactly what the Establishment Clause rejects.
Want to teach your kids religion? Do so at home, or send them to private, religious schools, or have them attend Sunday School or the equivalent. Your kids, your right, no matter what I or anyone else thinks of your beliefs, as long as you don't cross certain lines (e.g. physical harm). Heck, I'm even for vouchered primary education school choice that includes private and religious schools (see, the Nordic Model). But, don't use the government to subject others to your religion or your beliefs.
Some have suggested this Louisiana law may be a "stunt" intended to prompt the courts or the Court to challenge the Lemon Test, a Supreme Court precedent related to the Establishment Clause, or to upend the precedents that debar such displays. But, again, I ask, what’s the purpose of such a display, other than to violate the premise of a secular nation committed to religious freedom?
It's really very difficult to get worked up about this one. Woke is a religion, coast to coast, enforced with extreme prejudice and with the full power of the state (at least when one side is in power, and when it's not, they disable, undermine, or utilize-in-opposition every institution they control until they're back in). No one can argue it isn't a state religion in 2024.
Considering what woke is, seeing the rainbow flag in every classroom, and every hallway/ chat room monitored by Judith Butlers and Joy Reids, the schools and communities have already allowed far worse than the Ten Commandments to do everything you discuss here. This is a classic barn door closed after horses bolted situation. What you write is true... but no one has cared about this for a long time. We all should, but the obstacle to caring is staring at us right in the face, behind all of THEIR state religions shoved down everyone's throats.
So long as the one situation continues, others matter less. If we have an embedded class with active and ongoing contempt for how America functions getting first preference for any school or job, and lack of pledging allegiance I I just can't care. "don't use the government to subject others to your religion or your beliefs." Agreed. Since they are, though, the problem is that, not the Ten Commandments in Louisiana - or anywhere.
Well, "some" are correct: it IS a "stunt", or trial balloon, to test SCOTUS' willingness to extend federalism following the Kennedy ruling (coach praying on 50 yard line after the game) wherein the Court abandoned the Lemon test. The Establishment Clause's plain language refers to the Congress, not the States, and has only been "interpreted" to imply a "secular nation". The States themselves didn't sign up for that. But we shall see just how far this SCOTUS is willing to go. I wouldn't say it's a foregone conclusion.