He believes it is unconstitutional.
Texas Congressman James Talarico, who is also a seminary student, recently spoke out against a proposed plan to incorporate Bible concepts into the state’s public school curriculum. He believes that the proposal crosses a line by breaching the U.S. Constitution’s separation of church and state. Talarico sees the inclusion of Bible references in public education as a form of Christian nationalism, which, in his view, promotes one religion over others. He argues that this approach could harm the principle of loving one’s neighbor by instead dominating those with different beliefs.
His comments come after the State Board of Education (SBOE) held public hearings in Austin on a draft curriculum inspired by House Bill 1605. The proposed curriculum includes references to Christian teachings, such as the story of Jesus’ birth and defining “Messiah” as a “savior sent by God.” This has sparked concern among critics like Talarico, who believes that teaching about religion in public schools is valuable but must be handled carefully to avoid violating the Constitution.
Talarico clarifies that while he supports teaching students about world religions, including Christianity, there is a fine line between teaching and preaching. He warns that when the government promotes one religion, it undermines the First Amendment’s separation of church and state. His concern extends to the language used in the curriculum, such as defining “Messiah” in purely Christian terms, which he believes leans more toward religious instruction than education.
As a former teacher, Talarico emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach in teaching religious concepts in schools. He believes that public education should respect all faiths, and defining religious terms in a way that could exclude other traditions is problematic. The curriculum’s current form, he argues, risks alienating students from different religious backgrounds and could be seen as the state taking on the role of a religious authority.
With the Texas Education Agency set to finalize revisions to the curriculum by October, the debate remains ongoing. Talarico and others continue to advocate for a curriculum that teaches about religion without endorsing any particular faith, ensuring that public education remains inclusive and respectful of diverse beliefs.