Texas is pushing forward with plans to make parts of the Bible required reading in public classrooms [View all]
Source: The Independent
Thursday 25 June 2026 10:45 EDT
Texas is poised to mandate Bible stories as required reading for over 5 million public school students, a move that has reignited a fierce national debate over widening efforts across the U.S. to introduce more religion into classrooms.
The Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education is scheduled to cast a final vote on the proposal this Friday. This follows Texas's 2023 decision to become the largest state to require the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, a measure that drew significant legal challenges.
The controversial plan faces strong opposition from critics who argue it violates the constitutional separation of church and state, unduly elevates Christianity's role in national history, and prioritizes it over other faiths. Conversely, supporters contend that Judeo-Christian traditions were fundamental to the nation’s founding and that this influence should be accurately reflected in public school curricula.
President Donald Trump has advocated for protecting and expanding religious expression in public schools nationwide. Texas, a deeply conservative state that educates approximately one in ten U.S. public school students, frequently sets precedents in such matters. In 2023, Texas became the first state to permit the hiring of chaplains for student counseling. Subsequently, the board narrowly approved an optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools.
Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/texas-bible-stories-public-schools-donald-trump-mandate-b3002720.html
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