Landry Defends Louisiana's Display of Ten Commandments in Classrooms

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry argues that parents should tell their children not to look at the Ten Commandments if they have a problem with them being displayed in classrooms.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has defended a controversial new law that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms. Facing a lawsuit challenging the law's constitutionality, Landry urged parents to simply instruct their children to ignore the religious text if they object to its presence.

"I would say to those parents… tell the child not to look at it," Landry said during a Monday press conference.

Landry Defends Louisiana's Display of Ten Commandments in Classrooms

Landry's comments sparked outrage from critics who accused him of being insensitive and dismissive of religious freedom concerns.

"It's shocking that the governor and the attorney general would say, 'Just tell your child not to look at them,' as if that makes up for the egregious violation of conscience of placing one Bible's edicts in every single classroom in the state," said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, one of the groups suing over the law.

Landry Defends Louisiana's Display of Ten Commandments in Classrooms

Landry, a Republican, defended the law as a reflection of the will of the people, pointing out that it was passed by elected officials.

"I think we've forgotten in this country that democracy actually means majority rules," Landry said. "When you elect people, you elect them by a majority. That majority gets to rule."

Landry Defends Louisiana's Display of Ten Commandments in Classrooms

The law, known as House Bill 71, makes Louisiana the first state to require the display of the Ten Commandments in schools. The posters must be no smaller than 11 inches by 14 inches and must be placed in a central location in each classroom.

The law does not provide public funding for the posters, but Landry said private donations would be used to cover the costs.

Landry Defends Louisiana's Display of Ten Commandments in Classrooms

The lawsuit against the law argues that its display violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from endorsing or favoring religion.

Landry, who is an attorney general, said he did not understand the "whole big fuss" over the law.

"I don't understand what the big hoo-hah is all about," Landry said. "This is the fundamental basis of Western civilization."

Landry's views are not shared by all Louisianans. According to a recent poll, 53% of state residents opposed the law.

The lawsuit against the law is expected to go to trial in September. A federal judge has already rejected a request to block the law while the lawsuit proceeds.

* Landry's comments about telling children not to look at the Ten Commandments were widely criticized on social media. Many users pointed out that children are not always able to simply ignore such a prominent display.

* The law's supporters argue that it is a way to promote morality and respect for the law. They also say that the Ten Commandments are not exclusively religious but are also a source of civic values.

* Opponents of the law argue that it is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. They also say that it is inappropriate to impose one set of religious beliefs on all children.

* The lawsuit against the law is likely to face a significant legal challenge. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that the display of the Ten Commandments in schools is unconstitutional unless it is accompanied by a secular explanation.

* The outcome of the lawsuit will have implications for other states that are considering similar legislation.