The Texas State Board of Education on April 3 gave preliminary approval to a mandatory book list that all public schools will teach starting in 2030. The list includes the Bible and prohibits books by minority authors such as Frederick Douglass. While Republicans licking the boots of lobbyists and singing their hatred for diversity is hardly news, this blatant attack on religious freedom coincides with several other laws and actions meant to dismantle public education and instill Christian supremacy.
With Project 2025 — an extremist, far-right, Christian nationalist political initiative — as the playbook, Texas Republicans have preached their oh-so-valid concerns about public education in favor of privatized charter schools. They have passed frivolous laws like Senate Bill 11, which requires schools to have designated, albeit voluntary, prayer periods. Not only are these bills and arguments unpopular, but they fly in the face of founding American values. It should come as no surprise that organizations like the American Civil Liberty Union are suing.
In fervor, it can be easy to forget that the legal precedent is extremely matter-of-fact: a resounding rejection. Beyond the Establishment Clause, the Supreme Court and lower circuits have sided with secular education for decades. In the 1963 case Abington School District v. Schempp, the Supreme Court ruled that school-sponsored Bible reading before class was unconstitutional. Justice Tom Clark wrote the majority opinion of the Court.
“This Court has rejected unequivocally the contention that the Establishment Clause forbids only governmental preference of one religion over another,” Clark summarized.
Past precedent, these agendas are an affront to public education itself. Americans are vastly in favor of public education and services like libraries, and Republicans have done nothing but disrespect that will. Project 2025 is explicit in saying that “ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminated,” and that librarians and public educators should be imprisoned for distributing “diversity, equity and inclusion” material. Republicans, either out of fear, cowardice or genuine support, continue to play along. America was built on the ideal of equality for all, and by vilifying institutions meant to exemplify this tenet, Republicans show exactly how little they care about America.
The common good and founding ideals like religious freedom are not disposable, not a stomped-out cigarette butt on the sidewalk; they are invaluable and cornerstones of a happy, healthy society. If Americans want the rule of law to be more than a bygone relic, now is the time to act. Vote, hold demonstrations and support those who value not only the Constitution but public institutions and interests. Texas children deserve an agnostic education.
