Texas has declared war on Judaism and other faiths. I'm not opposed to teaching religious-based morality in schools. I’d just love to see all faiths included, comparatively, not competitively.
Thanks for all your comments. While this story is being mentioned in the media, I believe it is still slipping under the radar. I think this is one particular area where rabbis and Judaic scholars can make a difference, along with their Christian clergy allies.
This latest move by Texas is repugnant. This state, more than any other, has become so fascistic with such a corrupt bunch of leaders and their hypocrisy about religion. They don’t give a hoot about any type of religion but there are two billionaires in Texas who are calling the shots and Greggy is doing whatever they tell him to do because they give him lots and lots of money to stay in power and my god, he is going to run for governor again! It is the reason why he is on the school voucher bandwagon too because those two nutcases are demanding it. You’re absolutely right that what they want is the right wing Christofascist version of religion taught. If my kids were still m school, I would absolutely demand that they be removed from any lesson that tried to cram religious studies down their throats. I have a feeling that is exactly what is going to happen too. All of the things that Greg Abbott and his cronies and criminals have done made me so sick I could not take it anymore and I moved the hell out of that terrible place in 2022. I will never live there again. It would s what they call a “shit hole” state.
Well, after the Oligarchy coup'd the Supreme Court under McConnell & Trump, these sorts of state rulings are laws are often deliberate Targets of law suits, that can then be appealed up the courts (including the Infamously conservative 5th Circuit) to the Supreme 6 so to disembowel whatever laws (like Roe) they want. After all, you can't have Christian Nationalism with he Establishment clause in place.
That's how the super rich do it. (BTW most don't give a hoot about Chrisitianity. Their goal, since Nixon's Southern Strategy, has been to weaponize White Christian fear and anger to form a solid base of voters to control more states. Of course, they've also studies American history and advertising, as well as German, on how to use racism, misogyny and anti-semitism to stay in power.
And it worked. It took a while, but they've done it.
I am 70. In junior high we took turns reading from the Bible or Torah each morning. No big lecture. Most of us were Christian or Jewish. As it was it was inoffensive and an opportunity to learn.
Why not read from the Koran then and some Buddhist readings or Confucian texts? I too am 70 and we did not have religion infused into my school curriculum.
As a Christian, I agree wholeheartedly, partly because my liberal Christianity is not acceptable to the far right, and partly because I object to anything that insults other religions. I'm not allowed to judge anyone else's faith, or lack of it. I suspect that when it's my time to see God face to face, I'll be judged more on the number of teenagers I loved and fed than on my creed. There's no "good news" in threats of "hell." The best news, for anyone, is "you are loved--I care." And that's not limited to my faith. It's your faith that includes justice rolling down, and much else.
Guess I've always thought that if God made us all, he loves us all and has given goodness in all our beliefs. That's just a step too far for fundamentalists who can't see outside their box.
I totally agree, Rabbi Hammerman. Wouldn’t the Republicans say that they are supporters of religious freedom ? Well, in that case, unless they’re hypocrites ( no comment on that, which is clearly a rhetorical statement ) then they must ALSO be in favor of introducing lessons derived from the Old Testament and the Koran, right ? Of course I do believe that religion has no place in primary and secondary education. But not a bad idea for a course on comparative religions to be required in colleges throughout the country.
Maybe as electives but I certainly had no interest in religion classes when I went to college and wouldn’t want to waste my tuition dollars on those classes.
I certainly wasn’t suggesting that as a required- mandatory course but i think many students would be interested, and benefit from, being educated about different religions, similarities and differences.
Unconsionable power to act in order to undermine the constitution and the citizens of the US. An attempt to obliterate anything at all that is nonidentical to Trump MAGA. Thoroughly disgusting.
Thanks for all your comments. While this story is being mentioned in the media, I believe it is still slipping under the radar. I think this is one particular area where rabbis and Judaic scholars can make a difference, along with their Christian clergy allies.
How do I tag the Satanic Temple?
This latest move by Texas is repugnant. This state, more than any other, has become so fascistic with such a corrupt bunch of leaders and their hypocrisy about religion. They don’t give a hoot about any type of religion but there are two billionaires in Texas who are calling the shots and Greggy is doing whatever they tell him to do because they give him lots and lots of money to stay in power and my god, he is going to run for governor again! It is the reason why he is on the school voucher bandwagon too because those two nutcases are demanding it. You’re absolutely right that what they want is the right wing Christofascist version of religion taught. If my kids were still m school, I would absolutely demand that they be removed from any lesson that tried to cram religious studies down their throats. I have a feeling that is exactly what is going to happen too. All of the things that Greg Abbott and his cronies and criminals have done made me so sick I could not take it anymore and I moved the hell out of that terrible place in 2022. I will never live there again. It would s what they call a “shit hole” state.
Don't forget Oklahoma. They've already ordered their Trump bibles for All high schools in the state to use in the curriculum.
Isn't this unconstitutional?
Well, after the Oligarchy coup'd the Supreme Court under McConnell & Trump, these sorts of state rulings are laws are often deliberate Targets of law suits, that can then be appealed up the courts (including the Infamously conservative 5th Circuit) to the Supreme 6 so to disembowel whatever laws (like Roe) they want. After all, you can't have Christian Nationalism with he Establishment clause in place.
That's how the super rich do it. (BTW most don't give a hoot about Chrisitianity. Their goal, since Nixon's Southern Strategy, has been to weaponize White Christian fear and anger to form a solid base of voters to control more states. Of course, they've also studies American history and advertising, as well as German, on how to use racism, misogyny and anti-semitism to stay in power.
And it worked. It took a while, but they've done it.
the christian right will not stop
How does this not undermine church-state separation?
It does but they do not care. This is about indoctrination and the control of young minds.
I am 70. In junior high we took turns reading from the Bible or Torah each morning. No big lecture. Most of us were Christian or Jewish. As it was it was inoffensive and an opportunity to learn.
Why not read from the Koran then and some Buddhist readings or Confucian texts? I too am 70 and we did not have religion infused into my school curriculum.
As a Christian, I agree wholeheartedly, partly because my liberal Christianity is not acceptable to the far right, and partly because I object to anything that insults other religions. I'm not allowed to judge anyone else's faith, or lack of it. I suspect that when it's my time to see God face to face, I'll be judged more on the number of teenagers I loved and fed than on my creed. There's no "good news" in threats of "hell." The best news, for anyone, is "you are loved--I care." And that's not limited to my faith. It's your faith that includes justice rolling down, and much else.
Guess I've always thought that if God made us all, he loves us all and has given goodness in all our beliefs. That's just a step too far for fundamentalists who can't see outside their box.
Sorry I meant 1990-1997
My family and my husband and I were the only Jewish family in our neighborhood
Our kids were the only Jewish kids in school from elementary through high school
I’m talking 2000-1998
And faced a lot of antisemitism then
To see this getting worse
Breaking my heart and soul
We will be back into only being able to worship in our own homes
Sheltering and waiting for the start of rounding Us up again
5
I totally agree, Rabbi Hammerman. Wouldn’t the Republicans say that they are supporters of religious freedom ? Well, in that case, unless they’re hypocrites ( no comment on that, which is clearly a rhetorical statement ) then they must ALSO be in favor of introducing lessons derived from the Old Testament and the Koran, right ? Of course I do believe that religion has no place in primary and secondary education. But not a bad idea for a course on comparative religions to be required in colleges throughout the country.
Maybe as electives but I certainly had no interest in religion classes when I went to college and wouldn’t want to waste my tuition dollars on those classes.
I certainly wasn’t suggesting that as a required- mandatory course but i think many students would be interested, and benefit from, being educated about different religions, similarities and differences.
Unconsionable power to act in order to undermine the constitution and the citizens of the US. An attempt to obliterate anything at all that is nonidentical to Trump MAGA. Thoroughly disgusting.