A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a Louisiana law that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in school classrooms by Jan. 1.

U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, who heard arguments for the case on Oct. 21, ruled that the law violates the free exercise of religion and is “unconstitutional on its face." He granted a temporary injunction to the plaintiffs in the case, who are a coalition of parents with children in Louisiana’s public schools.

“H.B. 71 is a direct infringement of our religious-freedom rights, and we’re pleased and relieved that the court ruled in our favor,” plaintiff Rev. Darcy Roake said in a statement following the ruling. “As an interfaith........

© Salon