Posted on 06/26/2026 4:41:50 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
DALLAS (AP) — Texas’ education board on Friday approved a required reading list for more than 5 million public school students that includes Bible stories, widening conservative efforts to bring Christian teachings into U.S. classrooms.
The state-mandated list of assigned reading — which includes Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” and excerpts from the New Testament — appeared to be among the first of its kind of the nation and will take effect starting in 2030.
The State Board of Education, which is controlled by Republicans, approved the list on a 9-5 vote following weeks of contentious debate that again put Texas at the center of wrangling over the role of religion in public schools. Last year, Texas became the largest state to require teachers to hang the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
The board this week was also considering new social studies curriculum that draws lines between Bible stories and American history.
Beyond objections over Bible readings, the mandate drew backlash from teachers who criticized losing the ability to decide what their students will read, although they are still allowed to assign additional books during the school year.
“I don’t have a problem reading about David and Goliath because I believe in those stories,” said Alyse Dent, a high school English teacher in the Dallas area. “But if I’m reading to one of my students — they’re Muslim or they’re atheist — I can say all day long, ‘Well, we’re teaching a theme, we’re teaching symbolism,’ but they’re hearing, ‘This is a Bible story. We’re talking about God.’”
Supporters of the changes have argued that Judeo-Christian traditions were fundamental to the nation’s founding and that should be reflected in the public school curriculum.
“These timeless works, including...”
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
By 2030 the communist party could be in control with maos book mandatory.
If muslims don’t like it they should go back to their terrible countries.
Starting in 2030. Sounds like they want it to get blocked or canceled.
First, how did the bible get out of the schools, since it used to be there.
The problem is that the muzzies will demand the same for their....er....holy writings. And sheep are quaking in fear of what’s coming.
In 1967 my advanced literature class had a number of Biblical stories on the approved reading list. Our teacher was great and those of use who chose to read these books learned so very much. I learned how so much of the literature of Western Civilization uses these stories as the basis for famous classic literature, poetry, music, and art.
My thoughts exactly.
Let’s make sure that never happens.
“Beyond objections over Bible readings, the mandate drew backlash from teachers who criticized losing the ability to decide what their students will read, although they are still allowed to assign additional books during the school year.”
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Johnny has two Dads?
Billy fists Steffon?
.
Because they are the “teachers” kids, and that is the real agenda.
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Next comes mandatory Quran teaching. Then mandatory Bhagavad Gita teaching. “Separation” is to protect religion from the State.
There is no ‘separation of church and state’ in the constitution. And the Republic was formed and went on for centuries including prayer and bible reading in schools. It was the godless commies last century who worked so hard to get both tossed out. If the muzzoids want to hear their koran or the hindus their Bhagavad Gita they can move to countries that were founded by there kind of worshipers. Leave this Republic if they don’t like it.
Hence the quotation marks.
That is a violation of the Constitution.
Why not! It is good to show the mentality of our Founding Fathers as opposed to the King of England. “WE HAVE NO KING BUT JESUS!”
Freedom OF religion
Not freedom FROM religion
No, you are absolutely wrong. No government entity can establish a region. The government would be doing exactly that under the circumstances we discuss. The People are free to choose their own religion or even no religion. That is explicitly, and in very plain wording, the intent of the First Amendment.
Freedom OF religion.
Not freedom FROM religion.
John Adams himself said our government was only suitable for a moral and religious people.
Look it up.
No, the Founding Fathers did not intend for religion to be banned from government.
The First Amendment's Religion Clauses state: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This has two parts:
Historical Context and Intent
Religious tests banned for federal office
(Article VI), but this ensured openness, not secularism.Key figures like Thomas Jefferson (who coined "wall of separation between Church & State" in an 1802 letter to Danbury Baptists) and James Madison opposed a national church and government coercion in faith. Jefferson's "wall" protected religion from federal interference and vice versa—he supported religious proclamations and expected religion to flourish in society. Madison saw separation as beneficial to both church and state, increasing piety.
The Founders were mostly Protestants, deists, or Christians who valued religion's moral role but feared European-style religious persecution and establishments. They created a secular framework for federal power (no official creed or tests) while assuming a religious people. John Adams noted the Constitution was "made only for a moral and religious people."Common Misconceptions
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
You have fixated upon "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" while ignoring "shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". Requiring the Bible study in a government operated school is the establishment of a state religion and prohibition of the others.
The Constitution prohibits the government from any religious control or exercise.
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