Texans have last chance to influence decision on Bible-infused curriculum

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas could soon make its own textbooks available to elementary schools across the state that contain lessons about the Bible, but first the decision makers listened to what dozens had to say in favor and against the proposal.

The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) held its last meeting Tuesday before members reconvene in November to officially vote on the proposed reading and language arts curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade students.

The fifth-grade curriculum, for example, contains a section about Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper” along with select verses from the Gospel of Matthew as well as a narrative about Jesus’ resurrection. Additionally, in a kindergarten lesson about “serving our neighbors,” there are references to the parable of the Good Samaritan and instruction about the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Another teaches third graders about the Bible’s story of Jesus’ life in a broader lesson about ancient Rome.

Some supporters, like Cindi Castilla, argued this all highlights a fundamental part of the state’s history for children.

“When we’re teaching what our founders believed, that’s not enforcing a religion on anyone. It’s teaching this nation, the very nation people live in,” Castilla, who’s president of the Texas Eagle Forum, said Tuesday. “For children to be able to thrive here and really understand their own country, they need to be able to understand some Biblical context, and we’re giving them some little bits of foundation in that.”

However, opponents slammed the proposed textbooks, claiming they’re filled with errors and bias toward Christianity.

“Teaching about the influence of religion and history and culture is an important part of a well-rounded education, but you can’t turn public schools into Sunday schools,” Carisa Lopez, deputy director of the Texas Freedom Network, said. “This is fundamentally a question of respect for religious freedom. Public schools can’t favor one particular religion and promote religious beliefs many families simply don’t share.”

Texas Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, argued the coursework could open up constitutional challenges. He pointed out the legislators who wrote the law that led to the development of this curriculum — House Bill 1605 — gave teachers immunity from potential violations of the First Amendment’s establishment clause, which prevents the government from establishing a religion.

“I as a Christian don’t want the government teaching my religion. It violates our religious freedoms. It violates parental rights,” Talarico said at a news conference Tuesday. “Parents should have the freedom to teach their religion to their children. That’s not the job of government bureaucrats. I would hope that Christians around the state would be outraged that we would attempt to replace the church with the government.”

Jonathan Saenz, president of the conservative advocacy group Texas Values, said these religious lessons could withstand scrutiny.

“It is legal and constitutional in my opinion,” Saenz said. “It is very important to be teaching these things.”

If the board ultimately adopts these lessons in November, then the state would provide financial incentives for districts to use them in their schools. They could receive as much as $60 per student. That may make it more enticing for the growing number of districts that are experiencing budget shortfalls since state lawmakers have not approved any increases in public school funding since 2019.

The curriculum would be available for districts to use starting in August 2025.

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