Some Texas school officials are skeptical

[SARose]

that a K-12 curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders promise

BY POOJA SALHOTRA
JUNE 5, 2024

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But some Texas school district leaders, parents and education advocates aren’t convinced things are so clear cut.

The Texas Education Agency last week released thousands of pages of instructional materials that make up a proposed elementary school curriculum that drew immediate criticism for infusing religion — particularly Christianity — into public schools. If the State Board of Education adopts the curriculum, school districts that use it could get an additional $60 per student in state funding.

While that financial incentive would entice some district leaders to consider the state’s lesson plans, some say they are already satisfied with their current curriculum. And, superintendents said, district employees will need time to weigh whether the content adds value for their students, especially if they include biblical references that raise questions about church-state separation.

“The law is clear cut to us — you don’t teach your students a particular religion,” said Stan Surratt, superintendent of Lindale Independent School District, which sits in conservative Deep East Texas. “You can talk about different religions, but we don’t teach Christianity to our students.”

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[CrispyQ]

1. I would imagine people who believe in God & go to church wouldn't want just any version of their beliefs taught. -nt

[SARose]

3. Not in Texas

Our Southern Baptist, Apostolic and Evangelical brothers and sisters in Christ (supposedly) are more than happy to indoctrinate our kiddos in THEIR religious beliefs.

What about the rest of us? Mainline Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and Muslims? I guess we don’t count.

[tanyev]

2. I know even in my right wing suburb the population has gotten very diverse.

I often get stuck behind a school bus on my way home from work and it’s likely that most of the kids I see pour out of the bus are Muslim or Hindu, if anything. I’ve got to think there are a lot of parents that won’t appreciate a focus on Christianity in the public schools.

[SARose]

5. You are so right

My neighborhood also.

These folks need to learn their religion doesn’t prevent me from doing anything - it prevents them.

[BlueKota]

4. More people who understand that separation of church and state is major

in Democracy need to start pushing back against these faux christo fascists.

I believe in Jesus, but I respect the rights of people who believe in other religions, agnostics, athetheists. etc

Also anyone who knows anything about history recent and much farther back, know combining religion and government usually is a terrible idea. I mean look at what happened in Ireland with the Catholics verses the Protestants, and a stronger example the Muslims versus the Christians. All adding religion into government and schools does is generate resentment which festers into hatred then violence.

[SARose]

6. Ding, ding, ding

I think this is about power, money, and influence wrapped up in religion and tied with a bow of racism and misogyny.

I don’t know what it says in their Bible but I know what my Bible says

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men … but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father who is unseen.

Matt 6:5-8.