Bible class allowed in TX public schools

OneNewsNow Reports — A major victory has been won for those who want elective Bible courses taught in Texas public schools.

The Texas Attorney General’s office said the guidelines for new elective Bible courses are constitutional. A state law passed last year allows school districts to offer high school courses on the Old and New Testaments and their impact on culture and society.

Jonathan Saenz with the Plano-based Free Market Foundation says similar courses have been approved in public school systems nationwide. “There are enemies of religious freedom all across our state of Texas and across the country, and they’ll do anything and stop at nothing to restrict academic freedom and restrict the religious rights of students,” Saenz contends. “They simply do not want kids, even on their own choice, to be able to look at the Bible.” The State Board of Education is discussing this week how to develop the proposed new courses.

Saenz says the AG’s decision falls in line with previous judicial rulings. “The U.S. Supreme Court has said for years that to be able to have a Bible course being exposed, and kids learning about history and literature through the Bible is something that’s absolutely constitutional,” he adds.

The AG’s office did warn school districts to make sure the classes do not violate the First Amendment.