Some US Lawmakers Push for More Christianity in Public Schools

Washington: So, there’s this big push by some conservative lawmakers across the U.S. to bring more Christianity into public schools. They’re trying to add Bible references to lessons and even want teachers to hang up the Ten Commandments in classrooms. It’s stirring up a lot of debate about the separation of church and state.

This movement is gaining traction, especially with Trump’s presidency. He’s all about promoting the right to pray and read the Bible in schools, which is already allowed as long as it’s not government-sponsored. But his influence could really change what’s taught in schools, especially at the state level.

In Louisiana, for instance, they passed a law that requires every classroom to display the Ten Commandments. Families are already suing over it. Texas is also getting in on the action, with a new curriculum that mixes language arts with biblical lessons. And in Oklahoma, the state’s education chief wants to incorporate the Bible into lessons for grades 5 through 12, but schools are pushing back.

Utah lawmakers have even classified the Ten Commandments as a historic document, allowing teachers to post it alongside the Constitution. Many other states are considering similar laws. It’s a hot topic, and some folks are worried that these changes are more about indoctrination than education.

Critics are also concerned about the lesson plans being used. Some states are letting teachers show videos from a conservative group that promotes Christianity, which has raised eyebrows. During Trump’s first term, he even pushed for a project that aimed to present a more patriotic view of American history, but historians criticized it for glossing over some uncomfortable truths.

Now, some of these state measures are facing legal challenges, but courts seem to be leaning more towards allowing religious interests, thanks to Trump’s judicial appointments. A recent Supreme Court ruling favored a football coach who was fired for praying with players, saying it infringed on his religious rights. This could open the door for more Christian teachings in schools.

Critics argue that some of these new measures go too far, inserting biblical references where they don’t belong and ignoring the darker parts of history tied to Christianity. In Texas, the new reading curriculum is under fire for pushing unnecessary Bible lessons, which some scholars say distorts the role of religion in America’s founding.

Supporters of these changes, like the conservative think tank Texas Values, argue that it’s about time to correct what they see as attacks on religious heritage. They believe voters and lawmakers are fed up with the push against Christianity in schools. It’s a complex issue, and it’s clear that the debate over religion in education is far from over.