Alison, Liz, and Rebecca take a deep dive into Texas for a case study in theocratic government. They discuss recent Christian nationalist legislation advancing in the state, the takeover of state institutions by conservative Christian legal groups, and the many state/church battles their organizations have fought in Texas.

Background

• Texas Monthly - “How a Right-wing Law Firm Shaped the Judge Who Will Rule on the Abortion Pill”
• The Washington Post - “Texas legislature passes bill allowing chaplains in public schools”
• Religion News Service - “More than 100 chaplains urge Texans not to hire school chaplains”
• FFRF, Americans United, and the ACLU/ACLU of Texas letter to Texas school districts
• FFRF - “Thou shalt honor our secular public schools, Texas”
• Texas Tribune - “Key supporter of Texas school chaplain bill has pushed for evangelism in schools”

Resources

• FFRF Action Alert sign-up
• FFRF report a violation
• American Atheists report a violation
• American Atheists Action Alerts sign-up
• School Chaplain Law Advocacy Toolkit
• Interfaith Alliance “Say No to Chaplains in Public Schools” campaign page

Bills Discussed

• HB 4949/SB 1396 and SB 19: Would allow a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text in public schools
• SB 17: Would have created the right for a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty
• SB 1515: Would require the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools
• SB 763: Would allow school districts to employ chaplains to perform the duties of school counselors

Cases

• American Atheist’s Metroplex Atheists lawsuit
• FFRF’s Texas Bill of Rights display lawsuit
• FFRF’s praying judge lawsuit
• Stone v. Graham (1980)

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.