Texas state Rep. James Talarico is facing backlash after the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate characterized Bible-related education in public schools as “propaganda” and “indoctrination.”
In a resurfaced 2025 video, Talarico criticized Texas’ Bluebonnet curriculum, claiming it would present Christian Bible stories “as historical fact” and “as the only truth” to young students.
“These are kids who aren’t able to think for themselves yet,” Talarico said. He called the effort to teach biblical material “deeply immoral.”
Um, wut? https://t.co/FcLa3q1JLC
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 13, 2026
However, critics say Talarico misrepresented a curriculum designed to teach reading comprehension and the Bible’s undeniable influence on American history, literature and culture.
“The claim made by Representative Talarico is misleading,” Mary Elizabeth Castle, director of government relations for Texas Values, told Fox News Digital.
Castle said the English language arts curriculum helps students recognize biblical references in historic works, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Scripture also shaped the words, principles and writings of America’s Founders.
“The references to the Bible in the Bluebonnet curriculum help students understand the thousands of everyday idioms that people use every day that have some context to Scripture,” Castle said.
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Teaching that influence is not the same as requiring religious worship. Public schools cannot honestly teach American history while erasing the Christian faith that helped shape our nation’s understanding of liberty, morality and human dignity.
Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel for First Liberty Institute, said courts have recognized the Bible’s historic significance.
“No education is complete without understanding the Bible and its influence, as even the ACLU recognizes,” Sasser told Fox News Digital.
Talarico’s campaign defended him as a Christian seminarian who opposes powerful people “using scripture to score political points.”
But biblical literacy is not political propaganda. Removing Scripture from the classroom does not create neutrality. It denies students the knowledge they need to understand the nation they have inherited.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].