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At this West Texas church, “the Lord’s work” is helping the poor, not rewriting state law
Read full article: At this West Texas church, “the Lord’s work” is helping the poor, not rewriting state lawLed 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.
Texas’ Christian-influenced curriculum spurs worries about bullying, church-state separation
Read full article: Texas’ Christian-influenced curriculum spurs worries about bullying, church-state separationSome secular groups and members of other faiths say the curriculum could give schools too much control over how children are taught religion.
State Board of Education fields concerns about Christian bias in proposed K-12 curriculum
Read full article: State Board of Education fields concerns about Christian bias in proposed K-12 curriculumThe proposal comes as part of a larger effort by officials in Texas and across the country to inject Christianity into public life.
Feds accuse Texas prison agency of discriminating against employee for wearing a headscarf
Read full article: Feds accuse Texas prison agency of discriminating against employee for wearing a headscarfA 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.
A new Texas law allows schools to hire chaplains as counselors. So far, only one school has opted into the program.
Read full article: A new Texas law allows schools to hire chaplains as counselors. So far, only one school has opted into the program.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.
Interfaith collaboration is vital to solving today’s massive challenges, community leaders say
Read full article: Interfaith collaboration is vital to solving today’s massive challenges, community leaders sayDuring 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.
Southern Baptist Convention settles high-profile lawsuit that accused former leader of sexual abuse
Read full article: Southern Baptist Convention settles high-profile lawsuit that accused former leader of sexual abuseThe suit prompted a major newspaper investigation into Southern Baptist sexual abuse and seven other men to come forward with allegations against Paul Pressler, an influential conservative activist and former Texas judge.
Far-right activist blasts Speaker Phelan for being "pro-Muslim" in political mailer
Read full article: Far-right activist blasts Speaker Phelan for being "pro-Muslim" in political mailerThe card insinuates that Phelan wants to wish his constituents a happy Ramadan instead of a merry Christmas. Muslim Texans say it’s Islamophobic and some Republicans say it doesn't reflect Christian values.
Texas activist David Barton wants to end separation of church and state. He has the ear of the new U.S. House speaker.
Read full article: Texas activist David Barton wants to end separation of church and state. He has the ear of the new U.S. House speaker.Barton has been a staple of Texas’ Christian conservative movement, offering crucial support to politicians and frequently being cited or called on to testify in favor of bills that critics say would erode church-state separations.
Facing enrollment declines, Texas Catholic schools are leading supporters of school vouchers
Read full article: Facing enrollment declines, Texas Catholic schools are leading supporters of school vouchersThe Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops has been one of the staunchest voucher supporters, arguing it would increase access to religious education regardless of income level.
Part 2: Texas backlash to Obama fueled conservative drive to reinterpret U.S. Constitution
Read full article: Part 2: Texas backlash to Obama fueled conservative drive to reinterpret U.S. ConstitutionBarraging the Obama administration with lawsuits, the Texas attorney general’s office wasn’t just trying to block policies. It was injecting disruptive, overtly Christian legal philosophies into the mainstream, and grooming a generation of conservative legal warriors.
Part 1: In 1998, a legal revolution was quietly born in Texas. It would pull America’s courts rightward.
Read full article: Part 1: In 1998, a legal revolution was quietly born in Texas. It would pull America’s courts rightward.With his election as Texas attorney general, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn planted the seeds of conservatism. Gov. Greg Abbott used his tenure to cultivate them into an aggressive strain of right-wing activism aimed at driving the nation’s courts and laws to the right.