In the past two weeks, a petition opposing the inclusion of Biblical lessons in Texas public schools has attracted thousands of signatures.
Faithful America, a group of Christians dedicated to social justice and opposing “Christian nationalism,” launched the petition on September 13. The petition criticizes a proposal from the Texas Education Agency that would encourage elementary teachers to incorporate the Bible into reading and language arts classes.
The Texas Board of Education is set to decide on this curriculum proposal in November. If approved, school districts could utilize Bible-based materials for an additional funding of up to $60 per student.
This initiative is part of a broader movement across Texas and beyond to integrate Christianity into public education. Earlier this year, for instance, the Oklahoma Department of Education urged educators to include the Bible in lessons related to its influence on U.S. history and contemporary cultural topics such as human rights and the legal system.
Faithful America’s petition has reached over 15,000 signatures, aiming for a total of 20,000. It criticizes the proposal, advocating for the separation of church and state.
“Our nation was built on the principle of separation of church and state—an idea articulated by Thomas Jefferson regarding the First Amendment. Coercing beliefs onto others is a form of theocracy, and it contradicts the essence of Christ-like love,” the petition states.
The petition urges the Texas Board of Education to acknowledge the religious freedom of all students in Texas and to refrain from considering a Bible-based curriculum.
Earlier this month, the Texas Board of Education hosted a public hearing regarding this curriculum. Austin American-Statesman education reporter Keri Heath covered the event and shared insights on the Texas Standard, a daily news program.
At the hearing, she encountered several parents, many of whom identified as Christians or individuals of faith. They expressed concern that the Biblical narratives presented in classrooms might not accurately reflect their interpretations, stressing the importance of discussing their beliefs in their homes or places of worship.
Conversely, supporters of the proposed curriculum argued that the inclusion of Biblical stories would enrich students’ understanding of history from a Christian perspective, asserting that America was founded on Christian and Biblical principles.