Texas has ignited a diplomatic firestorm by mandating Bible study in public schools, prompting the Archbishop of Canterbury to issue a formal protest. The mandate, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, requires all state-funded schools to offer daily Bible readings and instruction. Critics argue it violates the separation of church and state, while supporters claim it bolsters moral education.
Archbishop Justin Welby condemned the move as a 'dangerous precedent' that could fuel religious intolerance. In a letter to the US State Department, Welby urged Washington to intervene, warning the mandate threatens religious freedom for non-Christian students. The row has deepened transatlantic tensions, with Downing Street expressing 'serious concerns'.
Labour MP Sarah Owen called it a 'brazen attack on secular education'. The Texas Attorney General defended the law, accusing critics of 'anti-Christian bigotry'. The backlash echoes past disputes over religion in schools, but this marks the first time a senior UK cleric has directly challenged a US state law.
Welby's intervention signals growing alarm over the erosion of secular values, even as faith groups in the UK remain divided. The row is unlikely to subside soon, with legal challenges and diplomatic protests mounting.
