The Texas Board of Education has approved a curriculum that has permeated the Bible
The Texas vote to allow biblical stories in public school course materials is part of a region-wide trend known as the Biblical Belt.
The Texas House has advanced a bill that requires all public schools in the state to display 10 commandments in classrooms.
The Republican-controlled House voted 82-46 on May 25th to approve a version of Senate Bill 10 after about a week of debate and several attempts by Democrats to amend a bill requiring other religious texts from Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. These modifications were denied.
The bill was passed with amendments to make it clear that states defend and pay legal challenges to the law on behalf of schools and districts.
The law may face legal action as critics raise concerns about a potential violation of the First Amendment establishment provision and prohibit public schools from “providing religious guidance in a dedicated way or stating “prayers recited by students or school authorities.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign a measure that will take effect in September. The state Senate passed the bill in March with a 20-11 vote.
Under this bill, all public classrooms must display posters or framed copies of the Ten Commandments, which are at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall. The bill is not exempt from the bill, and schools that do not post Christian doctrines must “accept offers for personal donated posters or framed copies.”
Republican-led states promote religion in public schools
Conservative lawmakers across the country have led efforts to spread religious teaching in public school classrooms, including introducing the Bible to reading lessons and requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in classrooms.
In states where evangelical Christians make up a significant portion of their constituents, the incorporation of biblical teaching into their curriculum has gained traction.
In Louisiana, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed a law in June 2024 that directs all public classrooms to display 10 commandments. The law was later blocked by federal judges who declared it unconstitutional and was also challenged by parents and several civil rights groups.
A similar law was recently passed in Arkansas, Little Rock Public Radio reported in April. In November 2024, Texas officials proposed a curriculum that incorporates teachings from the school’s Bible.
In July 2024, top education officials in Oklahoma ordered public schools to teach the Bible. Despite the state’s Republican-controlled Congress rejecting his $3 million request to fund the effort, state school principal Ryan Walters claimed that his classroom will have the Bible by fall 2025.
School administrators and civil rights advocates are retreating by saying these duties violate students’ rights.
“The court has repeatedly ruled that it is unconstitutional for public schools to force them to support or participate in religion or their exercises,” the Oklahoma ACLU’s legal director said in a statement last year in response to Walters’ orders.
Contributors: Kayla Jimenez, USA Today; Murray Evans, Oklahoman
