Texas approves Bible-infused curriculum for public schools

[groundloop]

Source: KERA News (NPR)

The Texas State Board of Education today gave final approval to a controversial new elementary curriculum that features numerous Biblical references, from stories about King Solomon to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

The board voted 8 to 7 in favor of the state-developed “Bluebonnet Learning” English and language arts materials, which critics say privilege Christianity over other religions. A narrow majority of the board — consisting of 11 Republicans and four Democrats — had signaled earlier in the week it would support the new curriculum.

Schools aren’t required to use Bluebonnet Learning, but the state will offer financial incentives to districts that do.

[.....]

Among other Biblical references, the K-5 curriculum teaches kindergarteners about the Golden Rule using text from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, “along with references to Islam and Hinduism,” the teacher’s guide states; introduces 5th graders to Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” “based on the Christian Bible story about the last meal of Jesus of Nazareth”; and features a story on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, “derived from the Book of Luke, a book of the New Testament of the Christian Bible.”

Read more: https://www.keranews.org/education/2024-11-22/texas-state-board-education-sboe-approves-bible-story-curriculum-public-schools

[VMA131Marine]

1. This clearly violates the First Amendment

although I fully expect at least 5 justices on the current Supreme Court to now take a wrecking ball to the wall of separation church and state.

[walkingman]

2. Wow! That is almost Unbelievable. What about kids that aren't religious?

[Irish_Dem]

5. They are starting the indoctrination in kindergarten.

So the kids will be religious.

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

12. ......whether they like it or not.

So, will they be bringing back corporal punishment also? You know, “spare the rod, spoil the child?”.

[Irish_Dem]

14. Probably. We are going back to the 17th century.

[msongs]

3. will this curriculum be used in the xtian sponsored camps? nt

[The Wizard]

4. Waiting for

the unintended consequences. Will a generation of Texans go back to public stoning?

[Blue Owl]

6. Why can't these fundamentalist whackos understand freedom of religion?

I guess they really are that insecure in their own beliefs….

[Irish_Dem]

7. All the military personnel in Texas have to send their kids to these schools?

[nmmi]

8. There's also a good discussion at this earlier LBN story

Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143345019

BTW, for anyone who noticed the word "optional" in the title:

is optional for schools to adopt, but they will receive additional funding if they do so. The materials could appear in classroom as early as next school year.

[3Hotdogs]

10. I hope they focus on my favorite passage. It goes something like,

"Blessed are the cheesemakers......"

[LudwigPastorius]

11. Yay, for small government and individual liberty.

[love_katz]

13. Texass aoproves Bible polluted indoctrination curriculum.

Fixed it for you.

This is a violation of the anti-establishment clause in the Constitution.

[Old Crank]

15. Hold these talibanic creeps to biblical standards.

Treat them to old testament punishments. Won't need a jury.

[ScubaSteve]

16. First Amendment:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

The last time there was a mix of religion and Government in history we called it the Dark Ages.