TEXAS — The Republican Party of Texas adopted a new party platform that calls for the Bible to be taught in public schools. Critics say there needs to be a clear separation between church and state. But the State Board of Education is also exploring bringing religion into the classroom.

What You Need To Know

  • Part of Texas Republicans' platform includes incorporating lessons from the Bible in public school curriculum

  • Opponents say this is a clear violation of separation of church and state 

  • Proponents say the Bible includes valuable life lessons and could spur constructive dialogue

  • The State Board of Education is also exploring bringing religion into the classroom

There’s a specific theme to the children’s books found hidden among the pews at the Central Christian Church in downtown Austin. Pastor Layne Beamer believes these books belong in the pews and not in classrooms.

“It doesn’t feel like loving my neighbor as myself to at a very young age, be trying to teach my beliefs to someone that I’m not sure if it’s theirs or not,” said Beamer.

The Republican Party of Texas wants to bring Christianity out of the church and into other areas of Texans’ lives. The GOP platform includes displaying the Bible’s Ten Commandments in schools and government buildings. 

“It’s dramatically impacted our American law, American culture. It has an enormous impact, and it dates back to the founding of our country as well as the foundations of our law,” said Jonathan Covey with Texas Values.

Republicans who attended the recent state GOP convention are also urging the Legislature and the State Board of Education to require instruction on the Bible, servant leadership and Christian self-governance in the classroom. The board is currently reviewing proposed elementary curriculum which infuses religion in the classroom and offers schools that do so an additional $60 per student in state funding. 

“It’s just one more carrot that the governor is waving in front of our school districts and toying with our children. We don’t believe that’s right,” said Ovidia Molina with the Texas State Teachers Association.

The Texas State Teachers Association has concerns that students in younger grades could be ostracized, but describes specific learning opportunities for students in higher grades.

“There may be classes that talk about world cultures and religion would be a good topic for that. And there will be, hopefully, a space for a good dialogue between the students, the educators, with factual passages that they could read and discuss. And it would not be one-sided,” said Molina.

Some Republicans who voted for the party’s platform say requiring the Bible to be taught in schools can be a slippery slope.

“If we allow the Bible to be taught, that means we have to allow the Quran or any other religious text to be taught, which I’m good with. But is everyone else going to be good with it?” said Joe Evans, the Jefferson County Republican Party chair.

But other conservatives say scriptures from the Bible teach life lessons.

“The Bible teaches about servant leadership. However, servant leadership is not just a biblical attribute,” said Covey.

The platform serves as a signal of the party's values and less of a guide for lawmakers. The State Board of Education is accepting public comments on the proposed curriculum through mid-August.