Texas Textbooks Criticized for Claiming Moses Influenced the Founding Fathers

Russ Jones | Christian Press | Updated: Nov 19, 2014

Texas Textbooks Criticized for Claiming Moses Influenced the Founding Fathers

A new series of history and social studies textbooks for elementary school through high school students has critics speaking out. The Republican-controlled Texas Board of Education is expected to vote this week on textbooks, which express a Christian worldview, according to Christian Today.

The textbooks under consideration claim Moses of the Bible influenced the Founding Fathers and the formation of the U.S. Constitution and terrorism is linked to the Muslim faith.

One of the textbooks also challenges the notion Climate Change is a result of human behavior. 

A recent review of the US history textbooks that could be approved states that the decision has national ramifications.

"Texas is in a leadership position and at the moment, they are abusing that position," said Emile Lester, an associate professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, who wrote the review.

Contrary to liberal critics, David Bradley, a conservative member of the State Board of Education, said there is widespread support for many of the perspectives the textbooks reflect.

"At the end of the day, if both sides are unhappy, I think we've done the right thing," he said.

The board is comprised of 10 Republicans and five Democrats. 

Publication date: November 19, 2014

Texas Textbooks Criticized for Claiming Moses Influenced the Founding Fathers