Texas school board makes surprising move with new k-12 religious studies plan
Texas education officials gave first ok to Bible-focused lessons for public schools starting from kindergarten Its part of wider push to bring religious studies into classrooms across many US states
The Texas board of education made a close-call decision about bible studies in public schools just yesterday. With an 8-7 vote officials gave first-round approval to a k-12 curriculum that puts christian teachings in classrooms
More than 100 people shared their thoughts at a super-long monday meeting that went into night-time hours. The program (which schools can choose to use or not) got support from Governor Greg Abbott and other top-level figures who say its about culture not religion
This is not about religion or proselytization; this is about cultural awareness
The new study plan shows christian stories way more than other beliefs. Like when teaching kids the golden rule - do unto others as youd have them do unto you - it focuses on Jesus Christʼs mountain speech. Third-graders learning about ancient rome spend lots of time on christianityʼs start but zip through other faiths histories
Mark Chancey a religious-studies expert at Southern Methodist University points out some problems: “the way they tell these bible stories might make young kids think everything is real fact“
Texas leads the way in mixing faith and education - about a year ago it became first to let chaplains work in public schools. Right now more than 25 states looked at almost 100 different bills to put more religion in schools
Board member Rebecca Bell-Metereau brought up worries about non-christian kids: “if we let one religion take over too much we might hurt students with different beliefs“
The final yes-or-no vote happens this friday
