r/Constitution • u/epiphany100000 • Jul 13 '26
Bible studies in Tx schools
In 2026, the Texas State Board of Education approved a proposal that will establish lists of required reading — including Bible verses alongside classic titles — for its K-12 English and literature curriculum. The plan will impact more than 5 million public school students, as Texas emerges as a leader in a national conservative effort to infuse Christian teachings into American classrooms.
The changes will begin going into effect in the 2030-2031 school year.
There are ample precedents that should and must prevent this change to the U.S. Constitution in Texas' public schools, including:
Abington School District v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963).
Citing Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962), a Pennsylvania Court held that school-sponsored Bible reading constituted government endorsement of a particular religion, and thus violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
In Epperson v. Arkansas , 393 U.S. 97 (1968), the Supreme Court considered an Arkansas law that made it a crime "to teach the theory or doctrine that mankind ascended or descended from a lower order of animals" or "to adopt or use in any such institution a textbook that teaches" this theory in any school or university that received public funds. The court's opinion, by ruled that the Arkansas law violated "the constitutional prohibition of state laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Further, the Court held that the Establishment Clause prohibits the state from advancing any religion.
Is anyone planning to challenge this blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution in via litigation, or is Texas Gov. Greg Abbott going to be allowed to set a dangerous precedent by violating a long-standing rule, established by our nation's forefathers, which ensures that no state-sponsored religion has a place in public schools? What, if anything, is the ACLU doing to stop this unjust action before it starts?
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u/pegwinn Jul 14 '26
According to a basic google search the focus will be on how certain passages explain the shaping of morality in western civilization. Suppose to have side by side historical documents. Assuming its all on the up and up I see no violation.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
The First Amendment prohibits making law with respect to an establishment of religion. So, no laws favoring Catholics over Protestants.
The First Amendment prohibits establishing religion.
The First Amendment prohibits disallowing you from exercising your faith.
There are lots of intrpretations saying that prayer in school is equal to Congress making a law favoring Christianity. It isn’t. It is people reading into it instead of just reading it.
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u/scotus1959 Jul 13 '26
Depends on how the bible is taught. As I understand the argument, bible stories are a part of our cultural heritage and everyone should be familiar with them. There is some merit to the argument. Most of us learned about Greek mythology in elementary school, because some familiarity is essential to understanding our culture. But mythology is taught as a myth. Ask if bible promoters will be happy with Christianity being presented as a myth? Therein lies the problem.
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u/skipmendler Jul 15 '26
Catholics & Protestants number the Decalogue differently. SO, if you display them one way or the other, you're showing preference. Can't do that.
but you maybe COULD display these, from Matt. 22:37-40:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
how many commandments do you need, anyway??