The Rives Resolution Passes
By Carole Hornsby Haynes Ph.D.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas In a stunning victory for our nations schools the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) recently passed the Rives Resolution signaling to textbook publishers that if their books contain pro-Islam/anti-Christian anti-Judeo bias in the future the Board will reject those books.
Although the Rives Resolution spoke to the purchase of Texas textbooks ultimately it will impact other states.
SBOE Members Ken Mercer and David Bradley said that publishers are listening very carefully to the SBOE discussions because of the influence of Texas textbooks on those used in schools in other parts of the U. S.
Gail Lowe Chairwoman of the SBOE addressed complaints that explicit examples in the Resolution are taken only from World History books in adoption from 1999 through 2003. She explained that under Board rules current adoptions can be addressed only in official business during the 90 days within the adoption process although the Board can talk about the books.
SBOE member Ken Mercer pointed out that the new Social Studies Standards adopted in May 2010 requires textbooks to cover the seven major religions of the world while the Rives Resolution is a warning that textbooks must treat those religions in an
accurate balanced and fair manner without omitting important facts or presenting only partial information.
Several SBOE Members gave specific examples from Texas textbooks to show the bias and inaccuracy of content in the presentation of Islam and Christianity.
Dr. Don McLeroy pointed out that the Table of Contents of a World History book adopted in 2003 and still used today mentions pro-Islam terms 27 times while Christianity is mentioned twice and Judaism onceon a map of Israeli occupied territory".
McLeroy said his review of the 2003 World History textbooks revealed that there was no emphasis on the two gigantic turning points in the history of the world -- the discovery of monotheism by the Jews and the life death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ms. Terri Leo pointed to a statement from one of the Texas textbooks Islam treats women with more respect than other religions." She said the inaccuracy and bias of this passage is blatant in light of the frequent media reports about Muslim women being stoned to death beaten with whips and having fingers cut off as punishment for Islam infractions.
Ms. Barbara Cargill pointed out that in examining her own childrens textbooks she found highly favorable treatment of Islam with the other major religions of the world either being ignored or presented in a derogatory fashion.
The public has already weighed in on the Resolution. Professor Mark Chancy Department of Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University disagrees that there is a fundamental imbalance in the textbooks today." He further stated that the Resolution is about hostility toward Islam."
Pastor Jeffress the minister of First Baptist Church in Dallas Texas said it is fashionable to criticize Christianity" and it is permitted under the First Amendment while speaking out about the atrocities of Islam is not fashionable and the freedom to do so is continually being assaulted.
Although opinions regarding the Resolution and the content of our Texas textbooks are at opposite ends of the spectrum one thing is certain. The controversy over the treatment of Islam and Christianity in textbooks and whether Texas has the right to reject textbooks that are biased and inaccurate in the treatment of these religions is moving onto center stage at a frenzied pace for public scrutiny and debate.
This war is just beginning. We must harness the power of the voices of the people.
Carole Hornsby Haynes welcomes comments at chaynes@teapartyforkids.org. Additional information is available by visiting www.TeaPartyForKids.org
