Texas Schools Must Teach the Bible

Jun 26, 2026, 20:50
USSociety
A2

Texas Schools Must Teach the Bible

德州學校必須教授《聖經》

Introduction

Schools in Texas must now teach parts of the Bible to all students.

德州的學校現在必須向所有學生教授《聖經》的部分內容。

Main Body

The school board made a new list of books. Students must read stories from the Bible. This starts for young children in the year 2030.

學校董事會制定了一份新的書單。學生必須閱讀《聖經》中的故事。這將於 2030 年起對年幼兒童實施。

Some people like this plan. They say the Bible is important for history and books. They want students to know these stories.

有些人喜歡這個計劃。他們認為《聖經》對歷史和文學非常重要。他們希望學生能了解這些故事。

Other people do not like this plan. They say schools and religion must stay separate. They also say the books do not show many different types of people.

其他人則不喜歡這個計劃。他們認為學校與宗教必須分離。他們還表示，這些書籍未能展現多樣化的人群。

Conclusion

Texas is the first state to make the Bible a required part of school reading.

德州是第一個將《聖經》列為學校必讀內容的州。

Vocabulary Learning

💡 The Power of 'MUST'

In the text, we see the word must used many times. At an A2 level, you need to know that must is used for strong rules.

How it works: Person/Group + must + action

Examples from the text:

  • Texas Schools →\rightarrow must teach
  • Students →\rightarrow must read

⚖️ Saying 'Yes' vs 'No'

Look at how the writer shows two different sides of an argument. This is a great way to organize your thoughts in English:

Side A (The 'Likes'):

  • "Some people like this plan."
  • "They want students to know..."

Side B (The 'Dislikes'):

  • "Other people do not like this plan."
  • "They say schools... must stay separate."

Quick Tip: To change a positive feeling to a negative one, just add do not before the action word (like like).

Vocabulary Learning

board (n.)
A group of people who make decisions for an organization
Example:The school board decided to change the rules.
separate (adj.)
Not joined together; kept apart
Example:The two children sleep in separate rooms.
religion (n.)
A system of beliefs and worship of a god or gods
Example:People of different religions live in this city.
required (adj.)
Something that you must do because of a rule
Example:Wearing a seatbelt is required in the car.
B2

Texas State Board of Education Requires Biblical Texts in Public Schools

德州教育局要求公立學校教授聖經文本

Introduction

The Texas State Board of Education has approved a new statewide reading list that requires public school students to study specific parts of the Bible.

德州教育局已批准一份新的全州閱讀清單，要求公立學校學生學習聖經中的特定部分。

Main Body

This policy follows a 2023 law that requires at least one literary work per grade level. The Republican-led board has now decided that biblical passages, such as the Book of Jonah, Psalms, and Genesis, must be taught. While teachers can still choose other books to use in class, these biblical texts must be prioritized. The program will be introduced gradually, starting with elementary schools in the 2030–2031 school year.

這項政策遵循 2023 年的一項法律，要求每個年級至少閱讀一部文學作品。由共和黨領導的委員會現已決定，必須教授聖經片段，例如《約拿書》、《詩篇》和《創世記》。雖然教師仍可選擇其他書籍在課堂使用，但必須優先考慮這些聖經文本。該計畫將逐步推出，從 2030-2031 學年的小學開始。

There are strong disagreements about this decision. Supporters emphasize that studying Judeo-Christian texts is necessary to understand Western literature and the history of the United States. However, critics argue that this rule violates the constitutional separation between church and state. Furthermore, some opponents claim the curriculum lacks diversity, as it focuses on works by white male authors while more than 50% of students are Hispanic or Black.

對於這項決定存在強烈分歧。支持者強調，學習猶太-基督教文本對於理解西方文學和美國歷史至關重要。然而，批評者認為這項規定違反了憲法中政教分離的原則。此外，部分反對者聲稱該課程缺乏多樣性，因為其重點在於白人男性作者的作品，而實際上超過 50% 的學生是西班牙裔或黑人。

This move is part of a larger trend of bringing religion into Texas public institutions, such as the previous requirement to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. This shift reflects a wider national political debate, including Donald Trump's goals to increase the presence of prayer and religious groups in federal and educational settings.

此舉是將宗教引入德州公立機構之更大趨勢的一部分，例如先前要求在教室內展示「十誡」。這一轉變反映了更廣泛的美國全國性政治辯論，包括川普旨在增加祈禱和宗教團體在聯邦及教育環境中的存在感。

Conclusion

Texas is expected to be the first U.S. state to make biblical scripture a mandatory part of the school curriculum, with full implementation by 2030.

德州預計將成為美國第一個將聖經經文列為學校課程強制部分的州，並於 2030 年全面實施。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'Power-Up' Shift: Moving from Basic to Precise

At the A2 level, you usually say things are good, bad, or different. To reach B2, you need Nuanced Connectors and Specific Verbs. Let's look at how this text moves beyond basic English.

🛠 The 'Bridge' Vocabulary

Instead of using "but" or "and," the text uses these high-level signals to organize complex ideas:

  • "Furthermore" →\rightarrow (A2: Also) →\rightarrow Use this when you are adding a stronger point to your argument.
  • "However" →\rightarrow (A2: But) →\rightarrow This creates a sophisticated pause before introducing a contradiction.
  • "Reflects" →\rightarrow (A2: Shows) →\rightarrow Use this when one thing is a mirror or a result of a larger trend.

🧠 Logic Mapping: Contrast & Cause

B2 speakers don't just list facts; they show the relationship between them. Look at this structure from the article:

"Supporters emphasize... However, critics argue..."

The Pattern: [Group A] + [Strong Verb] ↔\leftrightarrow [Contrast Word] ↔\leftrightarrow [Group B] + [Strong Verb]

Try swapping the verbs to change the tone:

  • Emphasize (to give importance)
  • Argue (to give a reasoned opinion)
  • Claim (to say something is true, even if there is no proof yet)

📈 Precision Check: 'Mandatory' vs. 'Required'

In the text, we see both require and mandatory.

  • Require (Verb): The act of needing something. ("The law requires books.")
  • Mandatory (Adjective): The status of the thing. ("The reading list is mandatory.")

B2 Tip: Using adjectives like mandatory, essential, or obligatory instead of just saying "you must do it" instantly elevates your speaking level.

Vocabulary Learning

prioritized (v.)
To treat something as more important than other things.
Example:The manager prioritized the most urgent tasks to meet the deadline.
gradually (adv.)
Slowly, over a period of time, rather than suddenly.
Example:The weather is gradually getting warmer as spring approaches.
emphasize (v.)
To give special importance or attention to something when speaking or writing.
Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of reviewing the notes before the exam.
violates (v.)
To break a law, rule, or agreement.
Example:The company was fined because it violates environmental regulations.
curriculum (n.)
The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.
Example:The school is adding a new coding class to the science curriculum.
mandatory (adj.)
Required by law or rules; compulsory.
Example:Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for all passengers in the car.
implementation (n.)
The process of putting a decision, plan, or agreement into effect.
Example:The implementation of the new software took several months to complete.
C2

The Texas State Board of Education Mandates the Integration of Biblical Texts into Public School Curricula.

德克薩斯州教育委員會強制將聖經文本納入公立學校課程

Introduction

The Texas State Board of Education has ratified a statewide reading list that requires public school students to study specific excerpts from the Bible.

德克薩斯州教育委員會已通過一份全州閱讀清單，要求公立學校學生研讀聖經的特定摘錄。

Main Body

The current policy is an extension of a 2023 legislative mandate requiring the designation of at least one literary work per grade level. By expanding this requirement, the Republican-led board has established a framework where biblical passages—including the Book of Jonah, the Book of Psalms, and the Book of Genesis—are compulsory. While educators retain the autonomy to assign supplementary texts, the mandated selections must be prioritized. Implementation will occur via a staggered rollout, commencing with elementary education in the 2030–2031 academic year.

目前的政策是 2023 年一項立法指令的延伸，該指令要求每個年級至少指定一部文學作品。透過擴展這項要求，由共和黨領導的委員會建立了一個框架，使聖經篇章——包括《約拿書》、《詩篇》和《創世記》——成為強制性內容。雖然教育工作者仍保有指派補充文本的自主權，但必須優先考慮被強制要求的選集。實施過程將採取分階段推行，自 2030-2031 學年的小學教育開始。

Stakeholder positioning reveals a fundamental divergence regarding the intersection of pedagogy and faith. Proponents assert that the inclusion of Judeo-Christian texts is essential for the comprehension of Western literary traditions and the historical foundations of the United States. Conversely, detractors contend that such a mandate constitutes a breach of the constitutional separation between ecclesiastical and state authorities. Furthermore, critics have highlighted a perceived lack of pluralism, noting that the curriculum's emphasis on canonical works by white male authors may not align with the demographic composition of the student population, which is over 50% Hispanic or Black.

利益相關者的立場顯示出在教學與信仰交匯點上的根本分歧。支持者主張，納入猶太-基督教文本對於理解西方文學傳統和美國的歷史基礎至關重要。相反，反對者認為此類指令違反了教會與國家權力分立的憲法原則。此外，批評者強調缺乏多元主義，指出課程對白人男性作者經典作品的強調，可能與學生群體的人口組成不符，其中超過 50% 為西班牙裔或黑人。

This development occurs within a broader trajectory of religious integration in Texas public institutions, following the previous requirement for the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. This regional shift mirrors national political discourse, specifically the stated objectives of Donald Trump to facilitate the presence of prayer and religious organizations within federal and educational spheres.

這一發展處於德州公立機構宗教融合的更廣泛趨勢之中，此前已有要求在教室內展示十誡。此地區性轉向反映了全國性的政治論述，特別是川普明確表示要促進禱告與宗教組織進入聯邦及教育領域的目標。

Conclusion

Texas is set to become the first U.S. state to implement a mandatory reading list featuring biblical scripture, with full integration scheduled by 2030.

德州將成為美國第一個實施包含聖經經文的強制性閱讀清單的州，預計於 2030 年前完成全面整合。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of "Formal Distancing"

To transition from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond accuracy and toward stylistic precision. The provided text is a masterclass in nominalization and impersonal constructions, a linguistic strategy used to maintain an objective, quasi-legalistic distance from the subject matter.

⚡ The C2 Pivot: From Verbs to Nouns

At B2, a student might write: "The board decided to make the Bible compulsory because they want students to understand Western tradition."

Compare this to the text's C2 architecture:

"...the Republican-led board has established a framework where biblical passages... are compulsory." "Proponents assert that the inclusion of Judeo-Christian texts is essential for the comprehension of Western literary traditions..."

Analysis: The writer replaces active verbs (decided, understand) with heavy nouns (framework, comprehension). This shifts the focus from the actor to the concept, creating an atmosphere of institutional authority. This is the hallmark of academic and diplomatic English.

🔬 Deconstructing the "Lexical Density" of Conflict

Notice how the text handles disagreement. Rather than using emotive language (e.g., "people are fighting about..."), it employs high-register abstractions:

  • "Stakeholder positioning reveals a fundamental divergence" →\rightarrow This replaces "Different groups disagree."
  • "Constitutes a breach of..." →\rightarrow This replaces "Breaks the rule of..."
  • "Broader trajectory of religious integration" →\rightarrow This replaces "A trend of adding religion."

🛠️ Applying the Masterclass

To achieve C2 mastery, you must stop describing actions and start describing phenomena.

B2 Approach (Action-Oriented)C2 Approach (Concept-Oriented)
The government changed the law.A legislative shift occurred.
They didn't include many different cultures.There was a perceived lack of pluralism.
This follows what Trump wants.This mirrors the stated objectives of...

Key takeaway: C2 English is not about using "big words," but about using nominal groups to encapsulate complex ideas into single, authoritative units.

Vocabulary Learning

ratified (v.)
Formally approved or signed a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.
Example:The treaty was ratified by the senate after weeks of intense deliberation.
compulsory (adj.)
Required by law or a rule; obligatory.
Example:Primary education is compulsory in most developed nations to ensure basic literacy.
staggered (adj.)
Arranged in a way that events happen at different times rather than all at once.
Example:The company implemented a staggered work schedule to avoid overcrowding in the office.
divergence (n.)
A process or state of departing from a standard, or a difference in opinion or direction.
Example:There is a significant divergence between the two political parties regarding tax reform.
pedagogy (n.)
The method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic discipline.
Example:The professor's innovative pedagogy encouraged students to engage in critical thinking through debate.
ecclesiastical (adj.)
Relating to the Christian Church or its clergy.
Example:The historian specialized in ecclesiastical law and the hierarchy of the medieval church.
pluralism (n.)
A condition or system in which two or more states, groups, principles, or sources of authority coexist.
Example:Cultural pluralism allows diverse ethnic groups to maintain their unique traditions within a single society.
canonical (adj.)
According to the established rules or accepted standards of a particular field, especially literature or religion.
Example:Shakespeare's plays are considered canonical works of English literature.
trajectory (n.)
The path followed by a projectile or an object moving under the action of given forces; the development of a process over time.
Example:The company's growth trajectory suggests it will dominate the market within five years.
Practice All words in a crossword→