LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A federal judge has ruled that a new Arkansas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms cannot be enforced in several of the state’s largest school districts. This decision stems from legal challenges claiming the law infringes on the separation of church and state.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks, appointed by former President Obama, stated that his ruling applies only to four out of Arkansas’s 237 school districts, thereby limiting its immediate impact as students prepare to return for classes. The decision adds to the ongoing debate surrounding religious displays in public education, particularly in states led by Republican lawmakers.
The law, signed this year by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, mandates that the Ten Commandments be prominently displayed in public schools and libraries, beginning Tuesday. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation filed the suit on behalf of several families opposing the law.
In his 35-page ruling, Brooks expressed skepticism about the law’s constitutionality, suggesting it is part of a coordinated effort among various states to introduce religious doctrines into public education. He questioned the motivation behind the state’s actions, implying a broader strategy may be at work.
“Why would Arkansas pass an obviously unconstitutional law?” Brooks wrote, adding that the requirement serves to impose religious beliefs on students. John L. Williams, legal director of ACLU of Arkansas, celebrated the ruling as a victory for students’ rights, emphasizing that all children deserve an education free from government-imposed religious doctrines.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, whose office defended the law, acknowledged the ruling and stated he was evaluating legal options. The plaintiffs argue that the law violates constitutional rights by pressuring students to observe a religion favored by the state.
While the injunction currently affects only a few districts, it remains to be seen whether the legal groups will push for a broader halt to the law. Holly Bailey, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas, highlighted the clarity of the court’s position, indicating that the posting of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms should be avoided.
Similar laws in Texas and Louisiana have also faced legal challenges. Texas families and faith leaders sought to block their state’s requirement shortly after it was enacted. In Louisiana, a panel of judges ruled that a similar mandate was unconstitutional, marking a significant win for civil liberties advocates.
While the ruling in Arkansas is a step forward for opponents of such laws, the ongoing legal battles suggest that this issue is likely to escalate further. Legal experts, including Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, anticipate that the matter may eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court as these cases unfold.
Despite the temporary victory for plaintiffs in Arkansas, the debate over the intersection of religion and education continues, indicating that this conflict over the role of religious displays in public schools is far from resolved.
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