Texas approves Bible-based lessons in public schools, set to begin next fall

[Karah Rucker]

THE TEXAS EDUCATION BOARD VOTED FRIDAY TO APPROVE THE INCLUSION OF BIBLE-BASED LESSONS IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, A MOVE THAT ALIGNS WITH EFFORTS BY OTHER REPUBLICAN-LED STATES TO INTRODUCE MORE RELIGIOUS CONTENT INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION. 

THE CURRICULUM, WHICH IS OPTIONAL FOR SCHOOLS TO ADOPT, WILL COME WITH FINANCIAL INCENTIVE— WITH SCHOOLS OFFERED $60 PER STUDENT—IF THEY CHOOSE TO IMPLEMENT THE BIBLE-BASED CURRICULUM. 

THE NEW CLASSROOM MATERIAL, CREATED BY THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, INCLUDES LESSONS CENTERED ON CHRISTIAN TEACHINGS, SUCH AS STORIES FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS AND MORAL PRINCIPLES LIKE THE GOLDEN RULE. 

SUPPORTERS SAY THAT INCORPORATING THE BIBLE INTO EDUCATION ENRICHES STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE.

OPPONENTS ARGUE THAT THE CURRICULUM COULD ALIENATE STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS AND POSSIBLY VIOLATE THE FIRST AMENDMENT’S PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. 

EARLIER IN THE WEEK WHEN THE PROPOSED BIBLE LESSONS WERE STILL UP FOR DEBATE –

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE TESTIFIED AT A BOARD MEETING – MAKING THEIR ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST.

WITH THE NEW CURRICULUM NOW PASSING THE TEXAS EDUCATION BOARD –

TEXAS WOULD BE THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO IMPLEMENT BIBLE LESSONS INTO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THIS MANNER –

ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

BUT THAT DEPENDS ON WHETHER THE BIBLE LESSONS WILL FACE LEGAL CHALLENGES FROM THOSE AGAINST THE IDEA.

IN OKLAHOMA – STATE OFFICIALS HAD A SIMILAR PUSH TO INCORPORATE BIBLE LESSONS – A LAWSUIT WAS FILED AND NOW THE STATE SUPREME COURT IS INVOLVED.

AND IN LOUISIANA A LAW TO PLACE THE 10 COMMANDMENTS INSIDE ALL PUBLIC CLASSROOMS HAS ALSO BEEN HELD UP IN THE COURTS WHILE LEGAL CHALLENGES PLAY OUT.

THE TEXAS BOARD VOTED 8 TO 7 IN FAVOR OF IMPLEMENTING THE BIBLE LESSONS.

THE MATERIALS COULD BE IN CLASSROOMS AS SOON AS NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

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