Canyon Independent School District quickly reversed its controversial decision to remove the Bible from school libraries after state officials clarified the scope of a new law. The district initially claimed that references to sexual content in the Bible violated House Bill 900, which bans “sexually explicit” material in schools.
Superintendent Dr. Darryl Flusche informed parents that the Bible was being removed while “Bible stories” remained accessible. He recommended that families seek copies from local churches.
The TX legislature passed a law banning books with sexually explicit material, so the district decided to use that as an opportunity to ban the Bible. I have no idea which Biblical stories they claimed were explicit material.
— George (@BehizyTweets) December 30, 2024
The announcement drew sharp criticism from parents and community members. “This decision makes no sense. The Bible is a foundational text that has shaped culture, history, and morality,” said parent Regina Kiehne at a board meeting. Many parents argued that banning the Bible was an overreach and contrary to the values of the community.
State Rep. Jared Patterson, who authored HB 900, condemned the district’s interpretation of the law. He emphasized that religious texts, including the Bible, are explicitly protected under the legislation. “Removing the Bible was not only a mistake but a violation of the law’s intent,” Patterson said in a statement.
After receiving clarification from Patterson, Canyon ISD reversed the decision. The district stated that it had reevaluated the guidelines and restored the Bible to library shelves.
This incident follows a broader trend of increased Bible interest, with sales rising 22% this year compared to 2023.
