Texas GOP doubles down on white “Christian nationalism” as state “grows more purple”

The Constitution’s 1st Amendment clearly separates church and state. Furthermore, it does not favor one religion over another. But Republicans in Texas are pushing for a series of bills to impose Christianity into public schools as the state is turning more purple.

The Religious Right

shutterstock 1759700549
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Traditionally red Texas, led by the religious right, continually claims that t”separation of church and state” is a concept outside the Constitution. Not only that, but the US is a Christian nation. However, the facts speak for themselves.

What it actually says

shutterstock 1494208439
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The 1st Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” There is no such thing as a religion in the US. Christianity is just as valid as Islam, Judaism, or any other religion.

Koran in Congress

shutterstock 710104810
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Democratic representative from Minnesota, Ilhan Omar, was sworn into Congress using the Koran, just like Michigan’s representative Rashida Tlaib. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a representative of Illinois, is a Hindu and was sworn in using Bhagavad Gita.

Far-right accused of pushing Christianity on Texans

shutterstock 1789440647
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Texas and religion were topics of Washington Post columnist Paul Waldman’s article. He wrote, “Texas is growing more purple with each passing year, which is exactly why the Republican-dominated legislature is reasserting the right’s political and cultural power with ever more radically conservative law.”

Pushing religion into schools

shutterstock 153758078
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The columnist further said, “Part of that effort is a series of bills meant to impose not just religion, but Christianity, into public schools.” He continued, “One bill would allow schools to mandate ‘a period of prayer and Bible reading on each school day.'”

Ordering schools to talk about prayers

dfgeg
Illustration. Image credit: Depositphotos

Another says school personnel must be allowed to ‘engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty.'”

The bill regarding the Ten Commandments

kgy68 scaled
Illustration. Image credit: Depositphotos

Waldman further said, “Yet another would allow schools to replace school counselors with ‘chaplains’ — no training or certification required. The centerpiece is the bill requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments, which has already passed the (Texas) State Senate.”

Harmful views on religious rights

shutterstock 359320769
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

In the column, Waldman explained why this stance is harmful, “Christian nationalism rejects our legal and cultural tradition of religious pluralism. It holds that the United States was a Christian nation from its founding and that Christianity should be the basis of public policy and political power.” He also added how “Prominent national Republicans are increasingly emphasizing Christian-nationalist themes…. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA) calls herself a ‘proud Christian nationalist.'”

Christian nationalist-inspired bills

shutterstock 132194024
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Waldman sees these bills as “the death rattle of a dying worldview.”

Texas is turning purple

shutterstock 2203960899
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Talking to a Democrat, Waldman shared, “In some ways, the far right is like a wounded animal here in Texas.” He added that Texas is “becoming increasingly diverse, Texas is becoming younger, and that new Texas is not going to stand for these extreme policies.”

White Christian nationalism should’ve been over in 1791

shutterstock 789436927
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

While Christian nationalists proudly support the Second Amendment, which only brought more grief over the past few years, they seem oblivious to religious freedoms.

Regardless of what happens now, it will not stick

shutterstock 1378191401
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The US Constitution is not set in stone but is a live document. However, the 1st Amendment is one of the most cited worldwide, encouraging diversity and freedoms unlike anywhere else.

More From BuzzLoving

Shutterstock 485801335 1 1
Illustration. Image credit: Depositphotos

See a grandma refuse to return a baby to her son: It’s not kidnapping, I’m her grandma”: Grandma Refuses To Return Her Grandchild

“Not sure I’m going back” – Teacher Was Left In Tears After Students Recorded Videos Of Her And Posted Them Online

shutterstock 2142729487
Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

A teacher shared her disappointment after her students filmed her and shared the videos on social media: “Not sure I’m going back” – Teacher Was Left In Tears After Students Recorded Videos Of Her And Posted Them Online

Bouncer Catches Evil Man Putting Drugs in Young Woman’s Drink and Takes Matters into His Own Hands

man and woman drinking
Illustration. Image credit: Depositphotos

A bouncer revealed how he caught a guy who was using illegal substances to make young women his prey: Bouncer Catches Evil Man Putting Drugs in Young Woman’s Drink and Takes Matters into His Own Hands

20 Irresistible Traits That Define a TRUE Manly Man

Rido 1 1
Image credit: Rido via Canva.com

Discover 20 must-have characteristics that distinguish a truly manly man and see how many of them you or your man possess: 20 Irresistible Traits That Define a True Manly Man

Mother Brought Her Dead Toddler To Daycare, Acting Like He Was Sleeping

lekcej 1
Illustration, Image credit: leckej via Canva.com

A TikTok user shared a disturbing story about a mom who brought a dead child into daycare: Mother Brought Her Dead Toddler To Daycare, Acting Like He Was Sleeping