The Texas Board of Education has approved an optional K-5 curriculum incorporating Bible teachings, offering districts $40 per student to adopt the state-developed materials. Lessons include Biblical stories and references to Christianity’s influence on U.S. history, such as claims about Abraham Lincoln’s faith, though some details have sparked controversy.
Supporters argue the curriculum provides historical context and moral guidance, while critics, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, warn it infringes on First Amendment rights by introducing religious instruction in public schools. Governor Greg Abbott endorsed the move, citing its potential to connect religion with pivotal historical events.
The decision reflects a broader push in states like Texas and Oklahoma to integrate Christian themes into public education, intensifying debates over church-state separation.
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