Judge Blocks Arkansas Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Every Classroom

"Nothing could possibly justify hanging the Ten Commandments - with or without historical context - in a calculus, chemistry, French, or woodworking class, to name a few. The Supreme Court has already determined that a state law mandating the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools - without integrating such displays into the curriculum 'in an appropriate study of history, civilization, ethics, comparative religion, or the like' - violates the Establishment Clause."

Arkansas passed Act 573 requiring Ten Commandments displays in every public school classroom and library. Seven families from diverse religious and nonreligious backgrounds sued, obtaining a temporary stay. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks made the injunction permanent, finding the law unconstitutional and absurd. The judge noted that displaying the Ten Commandments in subjects like calculus, chemistry, French, and woodworking lacks educational justification. The ruling applies to six school districts involved in the lawsuit but could expand statewide if upheld on appeal. Supreme Court precedent already established that such mandated displays violate the Establishment Clause unless integrated into appropriate curriculum study.

Read at Truthout