Texas Curriculum Pushes Christian Theology, from Kindergarten Up

Texas is at it again with its backwards curriculum, this time pushing Christian theology on kindergarteners in the name of "art." A report by religious studies scholar David R. Brockman for the Texas Freedom Network has revealed that amidst passing mentions of ancient Mayan, Aztec, and Greek art, there are four pages devoted to the Creation and Flood stories from the Bible.

This so-called art lesson for five-year-olds includes prompts for teachers to drill students on Biblical events, ordering them to sequence God's creation of light, seas, vegetation, fish, birds, animals, and finally, the first man and woman.

Texas continues to push the boundaries of religious freedom, with GOP lawmakers passing a law last year allowing religious chaplains to counsel public school students and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick dreaming of posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

The state's idea of religious freedom is a sham, as it pushes a particular Christian worldview, asserting a dominant culture that excludes other beliefs. While Texas school districts are not required to use these lessons developed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), cash-strapped districts may be tempted by the financial incentive of up to $60 per student offered by the state for using these "free" materials.

A serious study of art, history, or literature will indeed intersect with religious themes, but the TEA-produced lessons take it too far with unnecessary biblical detours. For example, in a fifth-grade lesson on Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," teachers are prompted to read an extended passage from the Bible, making the artwork itself secondary to the Scripture.

Brockman's review for the Texas Freedom Network points out the curriculum's one-sided portrayal of Christianity, citing the "deep Christian faith" of those opposing slavery or championing racial equality while ignoring the contributions of non-Christians in these movements and the religious arguments used by defenders of slavery and segregation.

The lessons also push a Christian agenda by emphasizing religious persecution and freedom as primary forces behind American colonization and the Revolutionary War, painting a misleading picture of history.

This curriculum is a clear attempt to rewrite history and art to fit the narrative that America is a Christian nation governed by specific religious values. Texans, this is a wake-up call. Your state is trying to indoctrinate your children.