{"id":129051,"date":"2024-11-23T05:31:53","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T22:31:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=129051"},"modified":"2024-11-23T05:31:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T22:31:53","slug":"texas-school-board-approves-optional-curriculum-that-incorporates-bible-lessons-for-k-5-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=129051","title":{"rendered":"Texas school board approves optional curriculum that incorporates Bible lessons for K-5 classes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-editable=\"content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\" data-reorderable=\"content\">\n<p>\n    <cite class=\"source__cite\"><br \/>\n      <span class=\"source__location\" data-editable=\"location\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"source__text\" data-editable=\"source\">CNN<\/span><br \/>\n        \u00a0\u2014\u00a0<br \/>\n    <\/cite>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3svbn9300043b6mnv2p02s8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Public schools in Texas now have the option to use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/19\/us\/texas-bluebonnet-curriculum-bible-lessons\/index.html\">a new, state-written curriculum<\/a> infused with Bible stories after the state\u2019s school board voted in favor of the material on Friday.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t2rodw0008356m0trj1u3k@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            A slim majority of the board\u2019s 15 members \u2013 eight to seven \u2013 voted to keep the Bluebonnet Learning material on a list of K-5 reading and English language arts materials for potential use in the 2025-26 school year.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rf7109002v356m1gqolcxl@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The material was developed by the Texas Education Agency, a state body overseeing public school education, headed by Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rdjz9b0017356m2dic7ew9@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Critics of the curriculum argue it heavily favors Christianity over other faiths. Some have suggested the teachings violate the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscourts.gov\/educational-resources\/educational-activities\/first-amendment-and-religion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cestablishment clause\u201d<\/a> of the First Amendment, which states, \u201cCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t2igvw0002356mw7jhdzgx@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Notably, Texas has independent school districts, meaning each district decides what is taught in classrooms. Bluebonnet Learning materials will be part of a menu of curriculums available for school districts to use.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3reomcu002a356mfp5hvtpq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            While they are not required to use the new materials, adopting the state-developed open education resource <a href=\"https:\/\/tea.texas.gov\/academics\/instructional-materials\/house-bill-1605\/house-bill-1605-and-imra\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">can earn<\/a> schools $40 per student annually. An additional $20 would be provided per student for printing costs.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rekaf10028356mr2veu9jz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Four Democrats and three Republicans opposed the inclusion of the curriculum during a preliminary vote on Tuesday, including Pam Little, the Republican vice chair of the board, who said the materials are too rigorous for young students. Little voted against the material on Friday as well.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t4rzq600053b6mj730y0oh@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Staci Childs, a member of the board who voted against Bluebonnet, told CNN Friday that although the curriculum is optional, she expects most districts will adopt it given the \u201chuge financial implications\u201d of the incentive.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t6z6ir00083b6ms8bk8fqz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Still, she expects the curriculum will be challenged \u201ctremendously\u201d in court.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t76ham000b3b6m6arhi724@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cI represent the most diverse place in Texas,\u201d Childs, whose district includes Houston, said. \u201cI represent Muslims, people of the Sikh faith, right? People that even don\u2019t have a faith, that are agnostic. These people should see themselves reflected in the material just as much as a Christian.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t4p18300003b6mxf3q8xhq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The approval of the optional curriculum drew immediate backlash from the ACLU of Texas.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t4qeqy00023b6mx66ocu6t@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe Bluebonnet curriculum flagrantly disregards religious freedom, a cornerstone of our nation since its founding,\u201d Caro Achar, the civil rights organization\u2019s engagement coordinator for free speech, told CNN after the vote. \u201cThe same politicians censoring what students can read now want to impose state-sponsored religion onto our public schools. We urge districts to reject this optional curriculum and uphold a public school education that honors the religious diversity and constitutional rights of Texas students.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t7jl60000k3b6muyu7q8dk@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            In another indication of potential legal challenges, the advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State said their \u201cattorneys are standing by and ready to defend their religious freedom.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t8i3n9000p3b6mlqzn2yhp@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cTexas\u2019 new Bible-infused elementary curriculum is part of the nationwide effort by Christian Nationalists to impose their religious beliefs on public school students,\u201d said Rachel Laser, the organization\u2019s president and CEO. \u201cFamilies, not politicians or public school officials, should decide if, when and how their children engage with religion.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t7dpnk000e3b6m81bw5pqh@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Texas is among several Republican-led states that have passed legislature that incorporates Christianity in public schools, inviting outrage and lawsuits: A federal judge this month temporarily blocked <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/12\/us\/louisiana-ten-commandments-law-blocked\/index.html\">a Louisiana law<\/a> that would have required the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom by the new year. In Oklahoma, teachers and parents <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/06\/27\/us\/oklahoma-schools-bible-curriculum\/index.html\">filed a lawsuit<\/a> to stop the state\u2019s top education official from enforcing a similar mandate.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t7j905000h3b6mwfbrut8y@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Last year, Texas allowed public schools<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2023\/05\/25\/us\/texas-bill-chaplains-in-schools\/index.html\"> to hire uncertified religious chaplains<\/a> as counselors, and the legislature has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2023\/05\/24\/us\/texas-ten-commandments-bill\/index.html\">pushed to require public school classrooms<\/a> to display the Ten Commandments.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t2yqtb000c356mn3rvhfwb@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            For Sharyn Vane, an opponent of the Bluebonnet curriculum, it\u2019s the job of parents to teach their children about religion \u2014 not public schools.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t34g6t000i356m08ezfp2n@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Vane told CNN Friday, \u201cAs a Jewish parent, of course, we taught our kids our faith at home, and I think no matter your faith, the parents are the ones who need to be teaching those lessons.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t35ak7000n356mcgvm7hxg@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            She said, while the Supreme Court has ruled that public schools can teach the Bible in an academic context, \u201cthis curriculum is not that.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t35ak7000o356m9gk2d8ln@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThis curriculum has explicit biblical instruction for even kindergartners,\u201d Vane said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t35ak7000p356mlz226bqz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The curriculum\u2019s focus on Christianity excludes the other religious traditions found across Texas, Vane added. \u201cIt would be great if all of the many religions represented in Texas and, of course, across the country, were reflected in some way, shape or form, again, in appropriate ways,\u201d she said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3reyr0d002h356m33k7b54h@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has voiced his support for the state-written curriculum, which he said allows \u201cstudents to better understand the connection of history, art, community, literature, and religion on pivotal events like the signing of the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American Revolution,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/gov.texas.gov\/news\/post\/governor-abbott-statement-on-teas-new-open-education-resource-instructional-materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according to a news release.<\/a>\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rgkbbn004p356muxgul5rn@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The state board revised the materials, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/tea.texas.gov\/about-tea\/news-and-multimedia\/news-releases\/news-2024\/texas-education-agency-releases-updated-bluebonnet-learning-instructional-materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Texas Education Agency<\/a>, after the versions proposed in May faced heavy criticism.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rgo1nl004u356mfcfqrrb4@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Under the curriculum, a <a href=\"https:\/\/d1yqpar94jqbqm.cloudfront.net\/documents\/BLRLA_GK_U7_TG_ENG_4.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">kindergarten lesson<\/a> about the \u201cGolden Rule\u201d would prompt instructors to teach students about Jesus\u2019 Sermon on the Mount, from the Bible\u2019s New Testament; the teacher guide for that lesson also mentions Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and other faiths. Another <a href=\"https:\/\/d1yqpar94jqbqm.cloudfront.net\/documents\/BLRLA_GK_U11_TG_ENG_0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">kindergarten unit about art appreciation<\/a> would primarily focus on the Bible\u2019s Book of Genesis and artworks inspired by it.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rc6ym30010356myz3uzcsz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            A <a href=\"https:\/\/d1yqpar94jqbqm.cloudfront.net\/documents\/BLRLA_G1_U1_TG_ENG.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first grade unit<\/a> on \u201csharing stories\u201d would teach \u201cThe Parable of the Prodigal Son,\u201d from the New Testament.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rfo0gj003a356m8r70dxog@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The <a href=\"https:\/\/d1yqpar94jqbqm.cloudfront.net\/documents\/BLRLA_G3_U4_TG_ENG.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">third grade unit on ancient Rome <\/a>would feature a section dedicated to the life of Jesus and Christianity in the Roman Empire. And a <a href=\"https:\/\/d1yqpar94jqbqm.cloudfront.net\/documents\/BLRLA_G5_U5_TG_ENG.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">poetry unit for fifth graders<\/a> would include a psalm from the Old Testament taught alongside poems from Robert Frost and William Carlos Williams. No other texts from religious books would be included in the unit.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rgo9oc004y356m26ehmrh3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The Texas Education Agency says the lessons \u201cwere developed using the best evidence from cognitive science to ensure teachers have access to quality, on-grade-level materials that enable teachers to focus on delivering the highest-quality instruction and providing differentiated supports to students,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/tea.texas.gov\/node\/2041111\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a May news release<\/a> stated.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rfdxr50031356mz22bh7jw@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            On Monday, more than 100 people testified for and against the materials before the Texas school board for more than seven hours. Mark Chancey, a professor of religious studies at Southern Methodist University and a Sunday school teacher, described the teachings as \u201cfundamentally flawed\u201d and they \u201cmake numerous claims that are erroneous, made up, or just plain strange.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rg0eh7003t356mflnbcye8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The lessons included in the curriculum \u201cstrongly privilege\u201d Christianity over other faiths, Chancey told CNN Wednesday.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rfqjlq003e356m00xkzp0l@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThere are more lessons about the Christian Bible than about any other religious text,\u201d Chancey said. \u201cThere are more lessons about Jesus than about any other religious figure.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rg5c2b0044356mldc5tzto@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            This is unfortunate, he added, because educators need to teach about religion to provide context around much of literature, history and art.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rg552q0042356mykha3az4@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cReligious literacy is an important part of cultural literacy and students need to know about religion to function in a religiously diverse democracy,\u201d Chancey told CNN. Very young children may also take these biblical tales literally, potentially causing confusion, he added.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rfzoij003p356m62260o4r@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Barbara Baruch, who is Jewish, testified in opposition to the materials on Monday, saying, \u201cI believe my grandkids should share our family\u2019s religion. I need help stopping the government from teaching them to be Christians.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rfzoij003q356m2wpybp9h@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            She urged officials: \u201cDon\u2019t let the government interfere with anyone\u2019s religious choice.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rgeoy3004f356msz78dcpu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The curriculum has also drawn criticism from Texas AFT, a union representing over 60,000 public school educators and support staff across the state. The union said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasaft.org\/government\/tea\/sboe-bluebonnet-learning-oer-vote-happening-next-week\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news release<\/a> the materials violate the separation of church and state.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rgcede004d356m65i08gu9@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Similarly, the Texas Freedom Network \u2013 a grassroots organization advocating for religious freedom, individual liberties and public education \u2013 says the curriculum \u201cverges on Christian proselytism insofar as its extensive, lopsided coverage of Christianity and the Bible suggests that this is the only religious tradition of any importance,\u201d in <a href=\"https:\/\/tfn.org\/cms\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/11\/11.24-OER-Analysis-Update.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a report analyzing the materials<\/a>.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rgoiy50052356mb7w7b4m8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The curriculum\u2019s supporters, meanwhile, have argued that it\u2019s important for Americans to understand religion. A supporter of the teachings testified Monday that the Bluebonnet lessons are \u201cgrade level-appropriate instructional materials that include contextually relevant religious topics from a wide range of faiths.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rh322u005h356mo2brmhiw@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cIt has always been understood that religion has a place in American civic society,\u201d Jonathan Covey, policy director at conservative group <a href=\"https:\/\/txvalues.org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Texas Values<\/a>, said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rgtlt10059356m2qv7pd0k@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Another supporter of the materials, Glenn Melvin, argued the<strong> <\/strong>Bluebonnet materials do not violate the First Amendment.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rgtlt1005a356m3loy7gin@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cJust reading some of the passages from the Bible will not cause someone to convert, as many Biblical scholars are not themselves Christian,\u201d Melvin said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3rgkaao004l356mmu392bbd@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The majority of Texans are Christian: 23.5% are evangelical Protestant, 20.3% Catholic, and 4.5% mainline Protestant, <a href=\"https:\/\/thearda.com\/us-religion\/census\/congregational-membership?y=2020&amp;y2=0&amp;t=1&amp;c=48\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according to 2020 data<\/a> from the Association of Religion Data Archives, which sources data from congregations across the country. Around 1.1% of Texans belong to Muslim congregations and 0.2% to Jewish congregations, according to the association.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm3t359nk000l356m0oe2zx3m@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <em>CNN\u2019s Rosa Flores and Sara Weisfeldt contributed to this report.<\/em>\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/22\/us\/texas-school-bible-curriculum-vote\/index.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CNN \u00a0\u2014\u00a0 Public schools in Texas now have the option to use a new, state-written curriculum infused with Bible stories after the state\u2019s school board voted in favor of the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=129051\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8629],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-u-s","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=129051"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129051\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=129051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=129051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=129051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}