Christian Right increases influence in Texas education legislation

In Texas, the Christian Right is becoming more assertive in pushing for religious legislation in public schools. Recent bills aim to display the Ten Commandments and allow school prayer, reflecting a shift in tone among lawmakers who argue that these measures are necessary to combat declining church attendance and morality. Supporters of these bills, including state senators, have openly challenged the concept of church-state separation, claiming it obscures America's Christian roots. This marks a departure from previous strategies that avoided explicitly promoting Christianity in legislation due to potential legal challenges. The current legislative session has seen a rise in rhetoric linking education to Christian values, with lawmakers framing their efforts as a response to perceived threats from secular ideologies. This shift has been influenced by recent Supreme Court decisions that have emboldened Christian nationalists in their push for more religious content in schools.