Texas board approves Bible stories as required reading in public schools
You. Here’s my study Bible. These lessons would be totally appropriate in ***, in *** Sunday school. I love the Bible. I think that the Bible should be read and studied. Uh but it’s not the job of public schools to be indoctrinating young Children uh through the teaching of Bible stories when they should be teaching reading and language arts. Here, I’ll pull up one of the objectionable lessons. What does it mean here when the text said that Mary had found favor with God, it means that she was supported or liked by God at 10 Christianity and the Roman Empire, Texas public schools are not Christian Sunday schools. Uh They it’s compulsory to go to school, kids of all faiths and none attend public schools. And so it infringes on religious freedom to teach these Bible stories in ways that will be devotional because of the age of the Children. And also because of the way that they’re not really relevant to the subject matter that is being taught, students have the first amendment right to learn uh these Bible lessons or Bible references that are in the English language, arts materials. And actually, there’ll be *** great benefit to students to help them be culturally and functionally literate. Um There’s so many required readings uh that, you know, for high school and college that come from the Bible as well such as Paradise Loss or Dante’s Inferno Shakespeare quotes the Bible as well. Um So students will benefit from being able to understand *** lot of these references that are in literature. The first amendment doesn’t say you have to give equal opportunity um to all religions. Anytime you discuss religion, of course, we do allow for religious freedom. Also, people need to understand this isn’t *** world history or world religion course. This is an English language, arts course. And the reason why the Bible is being discussed is because the Bible has had the most influence on Western literature and western civilization. Uh More than any other religion, every school district in Texas will have this curriculum as one option among many as they are choosing uh which materials they are going to use in their public schools. And so it will then be up uh to those Texans like me who are concerned about this curriculum to make our views known to those school boards across the state of Texas.
Texas board approves Bible stories as required reading in public schools
Updated: 12:28 PM PDT Jun 26, 2026
Texas public schools will require students to read Bible stories under a reading list approved by the state’s education board Friday, widening conservative efforts to bring more Christian teachings into U.S. classrooms.The push in Texas has been closely followed by education observers, who say the required reading list appears to be the first of its kind in the nation and is departure from letting schools or teachers decide what students read.The Texas State Board of Education, which is controlled by Republicans, approved the list of over critics who argued the titles lacked diversity and and blurs the separation of church and state.Supporters say Judeo-Christian traditions were fundamental to the nation’s founding and that should be reflected in the public school curriculum.Under the mandate, more than 5 million public school students in Texas must read traditional literary works such as E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” and Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” They’ll also be required to read Bible stories, including passages from the New Testament and excerpts from the Book of Job.
AUSTIN, Texas —
Texas public schools will require students to read Bible stories under a reading list approved by the state’s education board Friday, widening conservative efforts to bring more Christian teachings into U.S. classrooms.
The push in Texas has been closely followed by education observers, who say the required reading list appears to be the first of its kind in the nation and is departure from letting schools or teachers decide what students read.
The Texas State Board of Education, which is controlled by Republicans, approved the list of over critics who argued the titles lacked diversity and and blurs the separation of church and state.
Supporters say Judeo-Christian traditions were fundamental to the nation’s founding and that should be reflected in the public school curriculum.
Under the mandate, more than 5 million public school students in Texas must read traditional literary works such as E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” and Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” They’ll also be required to read Bible stories, including passages from the New Testament and excerpts from the Book of Job.