There’s a new ‘explicit content’ rule.
The superintendent of a Texas school district recently stated that the Bible was removed from school libraries due to a new state law aimed at restricting access to explicit content. According to Darryl Flusche, Superintendent of Canyon Independent School District, the Bible was deemed unsuitable under House Bill 900, a law passed in 2023 that targets the presence of sexually explicit or vulgar materials in schools.
In an email to concerned parents, Flusche explained that the entire Bible was removed from the library because certain sections of the text were categorized under the law’s definition of “sexually explicit material,” which includes any content that describes or portrays sexual conduct in an offensive manner as per the Texas Penal Code. Although the full Bible was removed, Flusche noted that sections of the Bible, such as “Bible stories or portions,” remain available, and the district would help students obtain a Bible through partnerships with local churches.
The decision drew immediate backlash from local parents, with some voicing their disbelief at the removal of the Bible. At a school board meeting, parent Regina Kiehne, who has children in the district, expressed her concerns, arguing that the Bible’s absence could deprive students of valuable comfort and guidance. Kiehne emphasized that the Bible, often referred to as the “book of wisdom,” has historical, scientific, and life-changing value, adding that its presence in school libraries could provide a sense of security to students amid current societal challenges.
This incident also touches on a broader debate in Texas about the role of religious texts in public education. While some state lawmakers, including Rep. Bill Zedler, have pushed for the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, arguing that they provide a moral foundation, critics contend that such displays violate the First Amendment. Supporters of religious texts in public schools argue that access to the Bible helps develop character and critical thinking skills without endorsing any particular religious belief.