Professor Michael Helfand Quoted in "Appeals Court Blocks Louisiana Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Classrooms" -- Washington Post

Professor Michael A. Helfand is quoted in the Washington Post article, "Appeals Court Blocks Louisiana Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Classrooms." The article considers the decision of a three-judge panel on the United States of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that blocked a Louisiana law requiring public school districts to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, calling it unconstitutional and setting up a possible Supreme Court battle.

Excerpt from "Appeals Court Blocks Louisiana Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Classrooms"

Michael Helfand, the Brenden Mann Foundation Chair in Law and Religion at Pepperdine University, said the test used to interpret a law like Louisiana's has been chipped away for decades. Then, he said, a 2022 Supreme Court ruling in favor of a high school football coach who prayed at midfield dealt a crucial blow.

That decision could invigorate legal fights around voluntary prayer in public schools, holiday displays on government property and postings of religious texts, including the Ten Commandments, in public spaces, Helfand said.

"This is what we're going to litigate for the next decade: Are states allowed to incorporate religion ...so long as they aren't forcing anyone to do anything?" he said.

The complete article may be found at the Washington Post (subscription required)