Texas and Louisiana want classrooms to display posters of the Ten Commandments.
It's not meant to proselytize students, rather show the history between U.S. laws and biblical laws, state officials say.
Critics of the Texas and Louisiana laws say it's a violation of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. As explained by USCourts.gov, this clause prohibits the government from "establishing" a religion.
"The precise definition of ‘establishment’ is unclear," adds USCourts.gov. "Historically, it meant prohibiting state-sponsored churches, such as the Church of England."
Attorney General Liz Murrill (R-Louisiana) does not see a problem.
In a January 19 post on X, which appeared before this week's appeals court arguments, Murrill wrote that the Ten Commandments have always played an important role in American society.
"The Louisiana legislature understood that importance," wrote Murrill. "That's why I'll be defending Louisiana's law tomorrow at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans."
In August 2025, after Texas passed legislation requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms, Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-Texas) instructed Texas schools to follow the law.
"From the beginning, the Ten Commandments have been irrevocably intertwined with America's legal, moral, and historical heritage," he said in a press release.
Joseph Parker of American Family Association (AFA) oversees the ministry's Ten Commandments project. It encourages children and families to learn the Ten Commandments. Some children have also appeared on Parker's Hour of Intercession radio program on American Family Radio (AFR).
Parker told AFN that our children need the Word of God in their hearts and their minds.
"I think it showed great wisdom and courage on the part of leadership in both Louisiana and Texas to do this, to have the posters to be put in classrooms," said Parker. "So, I think it's tragic that you'd have opposition because the good behind this can be tremendous in terms of exposing children to the wisdom behind the Ten Commandments."
