Texas Freedom Network
| Lua error in Module:Infobox_mapframe at line 197: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Abbreviation | TFN |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1995 |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Legal status | 501(c)(4) Educational Organization |
| Purpose | Religious Freedom, Civil Liberties |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas |
Region served | Texas |
| Membership | 19,000 members |
President/Executive Director | Val Benavidez |
| Affiliations | Texas Freedom Network Education Fund |
| Website | tfn |
The Texas Freedom Network (TFN) is a Texas organization which describes its goals as protecting religious freedom, defending civil liberties, and strengthening public schools in the state. It works to counter the activities of the Christian right.[1] Founded in 1996 by Cecile Richards, the daughter of former Governor Ann W. Richards.[2] The group had 19,000 members by 2004.[3]
Leadership and direction
[edit | edit source]Under Richards, the organization focused mainly on education, but under the leadership of Samantha Smoot (1998–2004), it broadened its focus to include hate crimes and gay rights.[3] As of July 2023, Val Benavidez is the president.
The TFN has opposed the attempts of Don McLeroy and other religious conservatives on the Texas State Board of Education to mandate that Texas high schools offer Bible classes and change history textbook standards, arguing that many of the proposed changes violate religious freedom and the separation of church and state.[4] TFN has also closely followed the activities of the Board of Education and activists on other education issues, such as the teaching of evolution in public schools.[5]
Bible study curricula
[edit | edit source]In 2005 TFN criticized the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools curriculum for promoting a fundamentalist Christian view and violating religious freedom. It commissioned a report by Southern Methodist University biblical scholar Mark A. Chancey,[6] which found:
a blatant sectarian bias, distortions of history and science, numerous factual errors, poor sourcing reveal a curriculum that is clearly inappropriate for the 1,000 public schools the NCBCPS claims use its materials.[7]
Evolution curricula
[edit | edit source]In a survey commissioned by TFN, "94% of Texas scientists indicated that claimed 'weaknesses' of evolution are not valid scientific objections to evolution (with 87% saying that they 'strongly disagree' that such weaknesses should be considered valid)."[8][9]
Other issues
[edit | edit source]- In February 2009 a TFN-funded study conducted by two Texas State University researchers, titled Just Say Don't Know: Sexuality Education in Texas Public Schools found that in many cases, students are given misleading and inaccurate information about the risks associated with sex.[10]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Smoot Steps Down, Rachel Proctor May, The Austin Chronicle, October 15, 2004
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Watchdog group attacks school Bible study, USA Today
- ^ The Bible and Public Schools: Report on the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools Mark A. Chancey
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
[edit | edit source]- Texas Freedom Network- Official