More than 100 Christian church leaders in Louisiana have publicly rebuked the state’s new religious law which mandates that a poster of the Ten Commandments must be put up in every single classroom in the state.
According to these many church leaders, this new law is deeply troubling — and they completely disagree with it.
The New Ten Commandments Law
Last month, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed this legislation into law. Now, every classroom in the state must have a poster of a specific version of the Ten Commandments.
This mandate will be enforced in all public schools, from kindergarten to university classrooms that are in publicly funded state institutions.
The Separation of Church and State
Immediately after this law was signed by the governor, countless critics came out to denounce it. Many of these detractors pointed out that this seems to go against the separation of church and state.
Others claimed that Louisiana was trying to force its public school students to only follow one religion, rather than accepting all religions.
Church Leaders Fight Back Against Law
Now, more than 110 clergy leaders have publicly fought back against this law. Some have also joined a group of Louisiana parents who are suing the state because of this law.
These church leaders have explained that there is always a place to talk about the Ten Commandments — but not in public school classrooms.
“Don’t Do This in Our Name”
Rev. Marc J. Boswell is a senior pastor at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, which is located in New Orleans. Boswell recently opened up about why he is against this movement by the state government.
“Don’t do this in our name,” he said. “We are not backing this. We are a Christian-identifying people and we do not support this.”
The Rise of Christian Nationalism?
Boswell also went so far as to say that this new law isn’t necessarily that much of a surprise to him — even if he finds it deeply troubling.
According to the reverend, he’s seen the “concerning rise of Christian nationalism in Louisiana.” Now, he’s trying to stop it with other parents and church leaders throughout the state.
Religious Education
In a letter that more than 110 church leaders signed to the governor, many Christian clergy members explained that religious education belongs to individual families and the church — not to the state.
This letter said, “The responsibility of religious education belongs to families, churches, and other religious institutions, not the government.”
Christian Leaders Fight Back Together
Many Christian leaders part of different congregations and denominations are attached to this letter. Denominations include Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, and Catholics.
The letter further states, “We value the right of all families to determine the religious education of their children and are appalled to see public officials claiming that right for themselves.”
The State’s “Official” Version of the Ten Commandments
Many of these religious leaders disagree with the idea of teaching the Ten Commandments in public classrooms. However, they’ve also voiced their disapproval of the “official” version of the Ten Commandments that the state has chosen.
“The state-approved version of the Ten Commandments set forth in H.B. 71 does not exist in any translation of the Bible,” these leaders wrote. “It is simply not possible to create a version of the Ten Commandments that honors every faith tradition’s interpretation, and legislators’ attempt to do so is deeply offensive to us as Christians.”
Supporters of the Law
While many of these Christian leaders in Louisiana have come out against this legislation, Republican supporters in the state government have continued to back it.
State Representative Dodie Horton, the Republican who introduced the bill, recently explained that the Ten Commandments is the “basis of all laws” in the state. Horton further added, “I’m not concerned with an atheist. I’m not concerned with a Muslim. I’m concerned with our children looking and seeing what God’s law is.”
Supporters in Religious Communities
Some Christian leaders in Louisiana communities have also come out to support this law. Rev. Steve Ryan, who is the head of a Catholic-run private school in a New Orleans suburb, recently came out in support.
“These laws, which are part of the Judeo-Christian tradition, are good safeguards for society. They are actually reasonable,” he said.
Other States Follow Louisiana’s Path
Louisiana has become the first state in the country to pass a law mandating that the Ten Commandments be shown in all public school classrooms. However, many other states are now looking to follow suit.
Utah could soon pass a similar law. Meanwhile, South Carolina is also working towards getting their own Ten Commandments law passed. Texas’ Ten Commandments bill, meanwhile, failed to pass last year.
