Christian history debate gets under way

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As the Texas State Board of Education begins debate on how to revise social studies curriculum for students in the state, the role of Christianity in the nation's founding will take center stage.

The board chose six reviewers to make recommendations on how to change the curriculum.

A couple of those reviewers are prominent Evangelicals, who believe the founding fathers intended for the United States to be a Christian nation. They are recommending the board change the curriculum so students learn more about biblical principles surrounding the nation's beginning.

"Social Studies, History, U.S. Government should be reflected accurately," said Jonathan Saenz with the conservative Free Market Foundation. "And, any information related to the faith of the founding fathers or the historical times should not be censured because of the sensibilites of a small group of people."

However, opponents call the idea another attempt to cross the line between church and state and inject more Christian teachings in the state's secular public school system.

"They want students to learn that the founding fathers intended America to be an explicitly Christian nation with laws based on their own narrow interpretations of the Bible," said Kathy Miller with the Texas Freedom Network.

Miller said one suggestion is to teach that George Washington was saved from death in battle by divine intervention.

More than 100 people have signed up to speak about the changes to the SBOE members, who are expected to make a final decision in March.