The Republican Party of Texas has adopted a new platform advocating for the inclusion of the Bible in public school curriculums. This move has sparked a debate about the separation of church and state, as the State Board of Education explores integrating religious content into classrooms.
At the Central Christian Church in downtown Austin, children’s books are tucked among the pews. Pastor Layne Beamer believes that’s where they should stay. “It doesn’t feel like loving my neighbor as myself to, at a very young age, be trying to teach my beliefs to someone that I’m not sure if it’s theirs or not,” Beamer stated.
The Texas GOP’s platform calls for the display of the Ten Commandments in schools and government buildings. Jonathan Covey of Texas Values argues that the Bible has significantly influenced American law and culture since the country’s founding. “It has an enormous impact, and it dates back to the founding of our country as well as the foundations of our law,” Covey explained.
Republicans at the recent state GOP convention are pushing the Legislature and the State Board of Education to mandate Bible instruction, along with lessons on servant leadership and Christian self-governance. The Board is currently reviewing a proposed elementary curriculum that incorporates religious teachings and offers schools an additional $60 per student in state funding for adopting these changes.
Ovidia Molina of the Texas State Teachers Association criticized the initiative, suggesting it manipulates school districts and students. “It’s just one more carrot that the governor is waving in front of our school districts and toying with our children. We don’t believe that’s right,” Molina said.
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While the Texas State Teachers Association expresses concerns about younger students being ostracized, it acknowledges potential benefits for older students. “There may be classes that talk about world cultures and religion would be a good topic for that. And there will be, hopefully, a space for a good dialogue between the students, the educators, with factual passages that they could read and discuss. And it would not be one-sided,” Molina elaborated.
Some Republicans warn of potential complications with the platform. Joe Evans, Jefferson County Republican Party chair, pointed out, “If we allow the Bible to be taught, that means we have to allow the Quran or any other religious text to be taught, which I’m good with. But is everyone else going to be good with it?”
Despite the controversy, some conservatives emphasize the life lessons derived from biblical scriptures. “The Bible teaches about servant leadership. However, servant leadership is not just a biblical attribute,” Covey noted.
The Texas GOP’s platform, while reflecting the party’s values, serves more as a symbolic statement than a legislative directive. The State Board of Education is accepting public comments on the proposed curriculum until mid-August.