Interfaith Alliance, a leading advocate for healthy boundaries between religion and government, welcomed the ruling by a US District Court Judge that Louisiana's new law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.
In response to the ruling, Interfaith Alliance’s president and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush shared the following comment:
“Today’s ruling is a victory for the Constitution and for true religious freedom – which requires ensuring that no one religious group is allowed to impose their viewpoint on all Americans. Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is blatant religious coercion that should have absolutely no place in public schools. Placing the Ten Commandments in schools is a de facto establishment of a religion and a direct attack on the intent of the founders of our country.
"The ruling is also a victory for families of students of all faiths and beliefs who believe that they, not the government, should control the religious formation of their children. As a pastor, a parent, and an American I applaud this ruling.

The memorandum NSPM-7 enables the administration to investigate and prosecute individuals and entities it deems to be a threat to national security. In reality, NSPM-7 is a method to suppress free speech; it is not designed to actually address national security concerns.

Just days ago, on Tuesday, November 4, I joined a determined group of faith leaders and advocates from diverse faith traditions at the United States Senate to deliver a faith letter carrying an urgent appeal: hold the line. Do not reopen the government without protecting the essential benefits people need to survive.