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groundloop

(13,901 posts)
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 09:42 AM Apr 8

Bible stories would be part of a new Texas public schools reading list drawing attention

Source: ABC News

Biblical stories like Jonah and the whale would be required reading for Texas public schools students under proposals that are putting the state at the center of another contentious wrangling over the role of religion in classrooms.

Religious leaders, teachers, parents and students spent hours Tuesday before the state education board arguing about the reading list for the state’s 5.4 million kindergartners to 12th-graders. The debate is part of widening efforts in the U.S. to incorporate religion in schools, mostly in Republican-led states, driving legislation and legal action.

Nationally, President Donald Trump has pledged to protect and expand religious expression in public schools. And Texas, a red state that is home to about one in 10 of the nation’s public school students, often helps set the agenda.

Texas became the first state to allow chaplains, in 2023. And just last year, a Republican-led mandate that the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools took effect in the state, although around two dozen districts took them down because of a lawsuit.

Read more: https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/bible-stories-part-new-texas-public-schools-reading-131818969

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Bible stories would be part of a new Texas public schools reading list drawing attention (Original Post) groundloop Apr 8 OP
I lived in Texas many years ago, I did not enjoy it even then, too many Texas RWNJ yahoos... wcmagumba Apr 8 #1
Oh good, another generation indoctrinated into believing in magical gods. Just what we need. walkingman Apr 8 #2
How about Jack and the Beanstalk and Playingmantis Apr 8 #3
And people thought Iran was bad! nwduke Apr 8 #4
Looking at Abbott, Patrick and Paxton, I have to ask-what do you mean AGAIN? jls4561 Apr 8 #5
I'd think Texas (sic) would be more inclined to teach Aztec religion in schools given the name, texas. RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Apr 8 #6
Of course, Sky Daddy lives in Texas, where else? wcmagumba Apr 8 #7
And the lurid parts? usonian Apr 8 #8
David the 4-skin collector wolfie001 Apr 8 #10
Old joke (repeated or originated by Al Franken on SNL) usonian Apr 8 #14
Sure wish Al was still in the Senate wolfie001 Apr 8 #16
Shit state requires shit curriculum wolfie001 Apr 8 #9
As long as they are identiied as fiction AverageOldGuy Apr 8 #11
Fuck that and the whale you rode in on. twodogsbarking Apr 8 #12
To bad those Texans don't live what they teach. republianmushroom Apr 8 #13
Part of me wants to say that some Biblical stories DenaliDemocrat Apr 8 #15
But which Bible Smilo Apr 8 #17
There will be a new version, better than any of the others, best bible the world has ever seen and Iran will pay for it. twodogsbarking Apr 8 #18
As a Christian, I am totally against this. hamsterjill Apr 8 #19
No better way of producing atheists Buddyzbuddy Apr 8 #20
so for the adultery stories will they use pics of don and melanoma? msongs Apr 8 #21

wcmagumba

(6,520 posts)
1. I lived in Texas many years ago, I did not enjoy it even then, too many Texas RWNJ yahoos...
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 09:46 AM
Apr 8

I went home to red Kansas, much better even with the Republicans mostly in charge...

walkingman

(11,078 posts)
2. Oh good, another generation indoctrinated into believing in magical gods. Just what we need.
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 09:47 AM
Apr 8

This shit last a lifetime and they know it. Shame on Texas.

Playingmantis

(671 posts)
3. How about Jack and the Beanstalk and
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 10:01 AM
Apr 8

who can ever forget Goldilocks and the Three Bears and the deep moral lessons about stealing porridge?

nwduke

(518 posts)
4. And people thought Iran was bad!
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 10:03 AM
Apr 8

Brainwashing children puts Texas in a whole new category! Make America stupid again!

RedWhiteBlueIsRacist

(2,150 posts)
6. I'd think Texas (sic) would be more inclined to teach Aztec religion in schools given the name, texas.
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 10:25 AM
Apr 8

I could see Abbott eating child's flesh and ripping out hearts of innocent people.

usonian

(26,202 posts)
14. Old joke (repeated or originated by Al Franken on SNL)
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 12:09 PM
Apr 8

About the rabbi (mohel) who charged nothing for circumcisions.
He worked for tips.

wolfie001

(7,880 posts)
16. Sure wish Al was still in the Senate
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 12:20 PM
Apr 8

He'd be roasting the WH lunatic. Imagine the one-liners.

wolfie001

(7,880 posts)
9. Shit state requires shit curriculum
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 11:06 AM
Apr 8

Devoid of any critical thinking. Keep those dollars flowing to fossil fuels and the military.

DenaliDemocrat

(1,798 posts)
15. Part of me wants to say that some Biblical stories
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 12:19 PM
Apr 8

Are okay from a knowledge standpoint. Adam and Eve, Sermon on the Mount, Prodigical Son, David and Goliath. These stories are often referred to in daily conversations and I don’t think knowing WHAT the story is about is bad. Greek Mythology were essentially “religious” stories back in the day. Hell, I think an understanding of Isaac vs Ishmael - Sarah vs Hagar is GOOD to understand where the world’s major religions come from. Sadly, I think the goal is indoctrination not education.

twodogsbarking

(19,152 posts)
18. There will be a new version, better than any of the others, best bible the world has ever seen and Iran will pay for it.
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 01:41 PM
Apr 8

hamsterjill

(17,709 posts)
19. As a Christian, I am totally against this.
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 02:19 PM
Apr 8

Religion should not be forced on anyone, and should never be taught in public schools.

Hegspeth already excluded Catholics from his Easter service at the Pentagon, and that will only be the beginning. Catholics will be fighting with Protestants. Methodists will be fighting with Prebyterians and Episcopalians, etc., and Baptists will be fighting with everyone.

How do I know this as a fact? Because I'm old enough to remember witnessing it happening! We've already been there and done this.

Buddyzbuddy

(2,780 posts)
20. No better way of producing atheists
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 02:37 PM
Apr 8

than forcing kids to read this stuff and believe it, only to realize they've been brainwashed. Take it from a former Catholic school student and altar boy/choirboy.
True enlightenment can't be forced but must be sought freely.

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