A new curriculum under consideration by the Texas Education Agency threatens to turn state schools into Sunday schools and violate the religious freedom rights of children and families, education and religious liberty advocates warned during a recent webinar. The Bible-based…
Six oddities about the Texas school ‘chaplains’ legislation
In August last year, I joined more than a hundred other Texas professional chaplains in signing a letter opposing a law that would use school safety funds to employ chaplains. We saw multiple oddities in the claims, and I say…
The church already is in trouble, and we don’t need school vouchers to make things worse
I am opposed to spending public money on private schools for many reasons. I am in agreement with many who are stating their opposition to vouchers, as currently under consideration in a special session of the Texas Legislature called by Gov. Greg…
Ten Commandments bill dies in Texas Legislature
A controversial effort to require posting the Ten Commandments in all Texas public school classrooms has died for this session. Senate Bill 1515 passed through the Texas Senate on party-line votes but was among dozens of bills that didn’t get a…
An eleventh commandment: Be careful what you wish for
As a biblical studies professor, I have noted with interest Senate Bill 1515 in the Texas Legislature to place the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. But what are the Ten Commandments? There is no single definitive version of…
Nine ‘Mama Bears’ testify how anti-LGBTQ legislation is harming their families
Loving and supporting LGBTQ children does not make Christian parents bad Christians, Mama Bears founder Liz Dyer said during a roundtable presented by the Human Rights Campaign. “I like to emphasize that my faith led me to become affirming of…
‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife’ and other posters I do not want in a first grade classroom.
Editor’s note: This is the first opinion piece in a new series on religious liberty authored by BJC Fellows and made possible by a grant from the Prichard Family Foundation. Picture yourself in a first grade classroom, one with…
Is ‘In God We Trust’ an assertion of Christian nationalism or of American history in public schools?
As schoolchildren head back to class in Texas this week, many of them will be greeted by the sight of the American and Texas flags displayed along with the text of the National Motto: “In God We Trust.” That’s because…
Baptist-trained minister hears a new call, prompting run for Texas House
A 1998 graduate of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond is pursuing a new calling this year by running for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Ginny Brown Daniel grew up at First Baptist Church of Auburn, Ala., where…