Ten Commandments Misuse

Louisiana's governor, Jeff Landry, continues to justify placing the Ten Commandments inside all public schools, including universities, despite a legal challenge aimed at halting the program. Meanwhile, Landry attended the Republican Convention, where Donald Trump was officially nominated, as the party believed they were prepared to face President Biden. However, Landry and other Republicans are now aware that they are not up against Hillary Clinton this time but rather Kamala Harris. At the convention, Landry addressed the attempted assassination of Donald Trump by a registered Republican who seemingly ignored the Ten Commandments’ prohibition on murder. Landry suggested that if the Ten Commandments had been displayed in the classroom of shooter Thomas Crooks, the incident "might not" have occurred. The bill Landry signed into law is being contested by religious leaders across the state, who argue that it is unconstitutional based on legal precedent. Landry, having previously served as the state's attorney general, is well aware of this. By pushing forward with this initiative, Landry appears to be honoring a campaign pledge, fully expecting to face challenges. Suggesting that displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms will reduce crime, violence, and restore civility is a disservice to the citizens of Louisiana. Although the program is funded through private donations from conservatives rather than state taxpayer dollars, it demonstrates the governor’s susceptibility to influential supporters. Furthermore, it remains a divisive campaign issue among voters. The governor could have avoided politicizing the matter by not mentioning Donald Trump, especially considering Trump’s behavior, which seems to contradict several of the Commandments. It seems conservatives aim to influence young minds without considering the preferences of the broader population. Perhaps Landry is implying that churches are failing and that only by placing religious doctrine in classrooms can children be "saved" without providing proper instruction on its meaning. The framers of the Constitution understood the importance of separating church and state. Additionally, the governor has not mentioned having a copy of the Ten Commandments posted in his home. Leaders should lead by example, not just by words.