Texas Weighs Mandating Bible Readings in Public Schools

Texas is weighing whether the Bible should become mandatory reading for millions of public school students, the New York Times reports. The Republican-controlled State Board of Education is considering new English and social studies standards that include Bible passages on a statewide required reading list and shift history teaching toward a US- and Texas-first approach, with less focus on world history. A draft list from the Texas Education Agency names more than 200 texts, from The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, plus Bible excerpts in middle and high school; a rival proposal from Republican board member Will Hickman would reduce the overall number of books and introduce Bible readings as early as elementary school.

Backers argue the selections from the Bible are influential literature and say the broader overhaul embraces a "classical" education rooted in Western thought. Critics, including Democratic board members and historians, warn of church-state concerns, a lack of Black and Hispanic authors in a state where the majority of public school students are Black or Hispanic, and an American-exceptionalism tilt that sidelines global history and other religions. The board is set to take preliminary votes this week and final ones in June; any new rules would not take effect until 2030.

Even some Christian parents have spoken out against the proposals, the AP reports. "As a Christian mother, it is my right and responsibility to teach our family's religion," one woman said Tuesday while appearing before the state education board. "It is not the state's job to shed through the lens of a teacher who may not share the same beliefs I do. Will Bible passages be taught in conflict with my beliefs?" Fox 7 Austin also quotes a pastor who spoke out at the same meeting: "I don't trust any of you with my child's religious education any more than some of you would trust me with yours because I'm a female pastor and you are part of a faith community that says women should be silent in church," said Rev. Mara Bim with Royal Lane Baptist Church.