Texas Bill: “Promise Month” – A State-Sanctioned Religious Affirmation

The Texas legislature has introduced a resolution to designate April as “Promise Month,” a move framed entirely within the context of Christian scripture and belief. This resolution is a blatant attempt to inject religious doctrine into state policy, raising serious concerns about the separation of church and state.

Key Issues:

• Scriptural Justification: The entire resolution is built upon a series of biblical quotes and interpretations, primarily from the New Testament. It presents these religious texts as the basis for state-sanctioned recognition, effectively promoting Christianity.
• Assertion of Christian Foundations: The resolution claims that “America was founded upon Biblical principles and Christian values,” a historical distortion that ignores the diverse religious and secular influences on the nation’s founding. This assertion is a cornerstone of Christian nationalist ideology.
• Imposition of Religious Beliefs: By designating “Promise Month” based on Christian promises, the resolution implies that these promises are relevant to all Texans, regardless of their personal beliefs. This effectively imposes a specific religious worldview on the entire population.
• Call for National Healing Through Christian Practice: The resolution quotes 2 Chronicles 7:14, suggesting that national healing can only be achieved through Christian repentance and prayer. This reinforces the idea that Christian values should be the foundation of public policy.
• Government Endorsement of Religion: By officially designating “Promise Month” based on Christian scripture, the Texas legislature is giving preferential treatment to one religion over others, directly violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
• Christian Nationalism in Action: This resolution is a clear manifestation of Christian nationalism, the belief that the United States is a Christian nation and that its laws should reflect Christian values. It seeks to legitimize this ideology by embedding it in official state policy.
• Ignoring Religious Diversity: The bill ignores the religious diversity of the citizens of Texas. It treats all citizens as if they are christians.

Secular Analysis:

This resolution is not merely a symbolic gesture; it’s a calculated move to advance a Christian nationalist agenda within the Texas government. It uses the power of the state to promote a specific religious doctrine, undermining the principle of secular governance.

For those who value the separation of church and state, this resolution should serve as a wake-up call. It highlights the ongoing efforts to blur the lines between religion and government, and the need for vigilance in protecting the First Amendment. This is not about being anti-religion, it is about protecting the rights of all citizens, no matter their personal beliefs.