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📖 Bible Basics in Schools

New lessons, old debates—what’s the story in Texas classrooms?

November 26, 2024

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RELIGION

Bible Basics in Schools

Today’s Top Story: On Friday, the Texas School Board narrowly approved the Bluebonnet reading and language arts curriculum, which includes optional Bible-based lessons, sparking debate over its constitutionality and promotion of Christianity in public schools.

Reporting from the Right: Texas officials back optional school curriculum with Biblical references, sparking backlash (Fox News)

Reporting from the Left: Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools (AP)

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Outrage and Praise

The Top Argument From The Right: Texas education board approves school curriculum that includes biblical stories, Zach LaChance, Washington Examiner: “The vote now gives public schools the green light to implement it in grade levels kindergarten through fifth grade, with an added financial incentive of $60 per student in funding if they choose to do so. The curriculum, which has outraged some while receiving praise from state leaders, includes teaching kindergarteners about the Golden Rule through passages in the Bible, which appears in the book of Matthew. It also instructs teachers to explain that the Bible is ‘a collection of ancient texts” and that its parts are “the core books of the Jewish and Christian religions.’ Other lessons include a first grade unit that would teach ‘The Parable of the Prodigal Son’ from the New Testament, a third grade unit on ancient Rome that would touch on the life of Jesus Christ and Christianity in the Roman Empire, and a fifth grade unit that adds a psalm from the Bible to supplement other poems read by students. Critics have blasted the inclusion of the new material as unconstitutional and as having a Christian bias at the expense of other religions.”

Honorable Mention #1: Texas to Introduce Optional Bible-Based Lessons in Elementary Schools, David Zimmerman, National Review: “

Honorable Mention #2: Texas Officials Back Elementary School Curriculum With Biblical References, Tali Arbel and Victoria Albert, The Wall Street Journal

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Critics Say It’s Unconstitutional

The Top Argument From The Left: Texas education officials approve optional school curriculum that incorporates Bible lessons. Some say it’s unconstitutional, Amanda Musa and Zoe Sottile, CNN: “Critics of the curriculum argue it heavily favors Christianity over other faiths. Some have suggested the teachings violate the ‘establishment clause’ of the First Amendment, which states, ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.’ The material is unconstitutional under the Texas and the United States constitutions, according to Rachel Laser, CEO of the advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State. ‘Parents and families, not politicians or government officials, should get to decide if, when, and how their children engage with religion,’ Laser told CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield on Saturday. Notably, Texas has independent school districts, meaning each district decides what is taught in classrooms. Bluebonnet Learning materials will be part of a menu of curriculums available for school districts to use. While they are not required to use the new materials, adopting the state-developed open-education resource can earn schools $60 per student annually. Laser urged all Texas school superintendents to forgo implementing the curriculum.”

Honorable Mention #2: Texas approves new Bible-based curriculum for elementary schools, Erum Salam and Martin Pengelly, The Guardian

FLAG THIS

Religion in Public Life

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that 80% of U.S. adults believe religion’s role in American life is shrinking, the highest percentage ever recorded in these surveys. Key findings include:

  • 49% of U.S. adults view religion’s declining influence as a negative development, and 8% see its growing influence as positive.

  • 48% report “a great deal” or “some” conflict between their religious beliefs and mainstream culture, rising from 42% in 2020.

  • 29% of adults identify as religious minorities, up from 24% in 2020.

  • 41% believe avoiding discussions about religion is best when facing disagreements, an increase from 33% in 2019.

  • 72% of religiously unaffiliated adults think conservative Christians overreach in trying to control religion in government and schools, while 63% of Christians say secular liberals do the same.

If Bible-based lessons can be taught in schools, should texts from other religions also be included in the curriculum?

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Daring Rescue, Seven Fishes, Tickle Me
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On This Day in 1968, while returning to base from another mission, Air Force 1st Lt. James P. Fleming and four other Bell UH-1F helicopter pilots get an urgent message from an Army Special Forces team pinned down by enemy fire. The helicopter rescue mission remains one of the most daring of the Vietnam War.

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