The State Board of Education in Texas is preparing to vote on a proposed curriculum that would require students to read about a dozen Bible passages and religious stories in kindergarten through high school. The new curriculum would have students as young as 6 interact with biblical stories titled “Noah’s Ark,” “David and Goliath,” and “Daniel and the Lion’s Den” in their English classes.

Christian Perspectives

The proposed reading list shows a reliance on Christian perspectives without clear guidance on how to place the stories in historical or devotional context. The Christian scriptures were not written in English, so historically, any attempt to translate the original Greek and Hebrew involves intense debate over the most accurate way to present the text.

For instance, one of the required readings for high school English is the second chapter of Genesis, which discusses the creation of Adam and Eve. The proposal before the education board requires teachers to use the New International Revised Version of the Bible, taken from the most widely read English translation and simplified to third-grade reading level.

Concerns and Support

Some question whether religious stories and Bible passages belong in public schools attended by atheists, agnostics, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and children of many other faiths. However, supporters of including religious texts in public education say the readings will help students understand the principles and values that established the nation and benefit the world.

Julie Pickren, a Republican member of the education board, said the readings are intended to provide “important insight into the moral and philosophical traditions that have shaped Western civilization.”

Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.