The latest religion and politics news from The Texas Tribune.
One expert said Texas — with more than 200 megachurches — will be the epicenter for pastors and congregations to test out their new influence. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/77aaa21fb8856e87dd75abcad0381b15/Goss-TrueTexasMeeting-42-scaled_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg)
The attorneys challenging the new state law hope that other school districts won’t implement it after a federal judge found it unconstitutional. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9f9ac8eb604e435951bc53c32c4bfb66/0622%2010%20Commandments%20BD%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
An agenda driven by conservative priorities, schools’ financial duress and teacher needs led to an $8.5 billion boost, new discipline rules, more Christianity in classrooms and a DEI ban. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f2eb3ed4f8c2c402083af2ef531ad1a8/0417%20Teacher%20Incentive%20Allotment%20IPL%20TT%2034.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10, even though a similar Louisiana law was deemed unconstitutional. Supporters say Christianity is core to U.S. history. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b266feda0c24d7dde81adf4980301367/0317%20Religion%20Capital%20LW%2018.jpg)
The legislation would prevent schools from using materials that do not use the terms “Before Christ” and “Anno Domini.” Many historians have moved away from them to be more inclusive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ad29690db05a6e6e4e2c63b731a15647/0514%20Jerusalem%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
The Collin County Commissioners Court is also holding a hearing Monday afternoon to discuss the proposed project. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ba0ed5b8cab8ea3a240ece48ec8fe5d4/0213%20Greg%20Abbott%20Interview%20LJ%20TT%2009.jpg)
Emboldened by court rulings and election victories, the Christian right is outspoken as it pushes its moral views through the Texas Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1b5d365847c2ca09de89c634788d3e2f/Lawmaker%20Evangelism%20AM%20TT%2001.jpg)
The prominent right-wing pastor told state lawmakers that an anti-communist curriculum is crucial to reaffirming that America is a “Christian country.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/62a49682b743ce2bbf2031845ff74981/0311%20Rafael%20Cruz%20LW%2002.JPG)
The vote comes amid a broader push by conservative Christians to infuse more religion into public schools and life. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c7a1696609aad7f3c28290e0789cda42/0606%20Capitol%20File%20JT%20TT%2022.jpg)
Past efforts to allow more religion in public schools have been hamstrung by legal challenges. But those on the religious right feel empowered by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e2820a6c3de9dc14957acdf343eda620/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20JV%20TT%2009.jpg)
Abraham George’s comments are the latest sign of the state GOP’s embrace of fundamentalist ideologies that seek to center public life around their faith. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c90055f3b0c100c7842a6bf549dea640/011425%20Capitol%20Church%20Service%20EH%20TT%2014.jpg)
The composition of the state’s hand-picked curriculum advisory board raises questions about whether panelists were inclined to green-light Bible-infused coursework. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6b2822a79fbf66c0e6a75a78d75b6f53/0226%20Nacogdoches%20JA%20TT%2004.jpg)
Led by co-pastors Joe and Dawn Weaks, Connection Christian Church, a 118-year-old congregation in Odessa, has transformed while keeping true to its legacy of helping the community. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/eee139b714592cf08c408110a65eaa5e/0811%20Odessa%20Church%20EH%2044.jpg)
Some secular groups and members of other faiths say the curriculum could give schools too much control over how children are taught religion. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3fe9b28556c1d2115474869059d79a99/0624%20Capitol-Austin%20File%20OA%2027.jpg)
Fines issued to Scott Beard of Abilene’s Fountaingate Fellowship and two pastors follow reporting from ProPublica and The Texas Tribune that revealed the churches donated to his campaign for local office despite state and federal prohibitions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/307c91dcf2b687cdd35325d49dc23c5c/04272023_Abilene_EL_94_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg)
The proposal comes as part of a larger effort by officials in Texas and across the country to inject Christianity into public life. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b5a779314f512fd6f697af10b51840d2/2606%20SBOE%20Meeting%20OA%200170.jpg)
One of the most influential evangelical figures of the last half-century, Pressler died about six months after he settled a high-profile lawsuit with a former member of his youth group. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d4541d2488d21eeb19c27bfe51baac51/Redo%20Paul_Pressler.jpg)
A federal lawsuit asserts that the Texas agency terminated a state prison clerk who refused to remove a head covering in line with her Ifa faith. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/99aca156e6bf021c048e3d43414a6e42/TDCJ_GURNEY_UNIT_MDN_TT)
Many independent school districts, including the largest ones, do not allow chaplains to serve as counselors, which is now allowed under a new Texas law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dced60a073fdb0006d6ecf67cd898314/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%2031.jpg)
During a conversation hosted in Houston by The Texas Tribune, panelists talked about the importance of building bridges among different faiths despite politics often causing divisions within institutions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4d09cbd501a628642a048e215a074893/TexansFaith%20Lead%20Blank.png)