Democratic-linked South Asian advocacy group warns transfer ‘undermines religious freedom’
The Texas State Board of Schooling voted Friday to approve a brand new curriculum that introduces elective Bible-based teachings in elementary faculties, a transfer which aligns the Lone Star state with different Republican-led states pushing for larger spiritual presence in public lecture rooms.
The curriculum, which is elective for districts to undertake, goals to infuse Bible teachings into numerous topics, significantly studying and language arts, for college kids in kindergarten via fifth grade. Whereas districts can select whether or not to implement the teachings, those who choose to take action will obtain further state funding.
Friday’s remaining vote follows a preliminary vote earlier this week that noticed the board’s 15 members narrowly endorse Bluebonnet Studying, a curriculum proposed earlier this 12 months by the Texas Schooling Company (TEA) to be used in Okay-5 public college lecture rooms.
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Notably, three Republicans, together with board member Pam Little (R-Fairview), a self-described Christian conservative, voted with the board’s 4 Democratic members towards the curriculum. Little was reelected to a different two-year time period on the Republican-led panel earlier this month.
Created by the state’s Schooling Company following laws handed in 2023 by the Republican-controlled state legislature, the curriculum supplies had been made publicly out there this spring, and Texas officers are making ready for his or her implementation within the coming college 12 months.
The supplies could possibly be rolled out as early as subsequent college 12 months.
Gov. Greg Abbott, who has voiced his assist for the curriculum, praised the initiative as a option to enrich college students’ understanding of American historical past and tradition. Supporters argue that biblical references are deeply embedded within the nation’s basis and that incorporating them will improve college students’ training, serving to them to higher perceive literature, historical past, and even modern-day expressions derived from the Bible.
Keisha Russell, senior counsel for spiritual advocacy group First Liberty Institute, lauded the board’s vote.
“Supreme Court precedent has repeatedly confirmed that the Bible is appropriate for instruction in history, literature, poetry, music, art, government, social customs, values, and behavioral sciences,” she stated. “We fully support the Texas State Board of Education’s decision.”
Nevertheless, the choice has sparked important opposition. Critics argue that the curriculum primarily focuses on Christian teachings and will alienate college students from numerous spiritual or non-religious backgrounds.
Greater than 100 people testified throughout a public assembly earlier this week in Austin, with emotional arguments from each side. Supporters highlighted the Bible’s historic significance, whereas opponents warned of the dangers of spiritual indoctrination in public faculties.
Among the many teams which have voiced opposition to the curriculum is South Asian Individuals for Voter Empowerment Texas (SAAVETX), which has argued the adjustments “risk transforming our public schools into platforms for promoting a single religious viewpoint, undermining the diversity that makes Texas strong.”
In keeping with SAAVETX’s advocacy platform, the inclusion of Bible-related curriculum “undermines religious freedom and ignores Texas’ cultural diversity.” The group presents supporters a pattern letter to ship to lawmakers which states the curriculum “overwhelmingly focuses on Christianity and does not adequately address the history and contributions of other religious groups, including South Asians.”
SAAVETX, which represents Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and different South Asian religion traditions, additionally presents a information on “navigating post-election trauma for South Asians” following Donald Trump’s victory on Nov. 5. The group additionally hyperlinks to ActBlue, the Democratic donor platform.
Whereas acknowledging freedom of faith as a key element of a “well-rounded education, SAAVETX also argues that “no curriculum should impose religious beliefs or promote a single faith’s teachings.”
CP reached out to SAAVETX for remark Friday following the board’s remaining vote. This story can be up to date if a response is obtained.
Texas is house to the second-largest Indian-American inhabitants within the U.S., with Hindus alone numbering round 740,000 statewide, representing roughly 4% of the state inhabitants.
Regardless of rising spiritual demographic shifts in Texas, the brand new statewide curriculum appears to be like to endure, not less than within the close to time period, following comparable strikes in different Republican-led states.
In Oklahoma, the state’s training chief ordered a Bible to be positioned in each classroom, and in Louisiana, efforts are underway to publish the Ten Commandments in all public faculties beginning subsequent 12 months.
“Well bless their hearts.”
