Texas Freedom Network

Texas Freedom Network
AbbreviationTFN
Formation1995
TypeNon-profit
Legal status501(c)(4) Educational Organization
PurposeReligious Freedom, Civil Liberties
HeadquartersAustin, Texas
Region served
Texas
Membership19,000 members
President/Executive Director
Val Benavidez
AffiliationsTexas Freedom Network Education Fund
Websitetfn.org

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

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

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

See also: Strengths and weaknesses of evolution

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

  • 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

  1. ^ Rozell, Mark (1997). God at the Grass Roots, 1996. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 45–46. ISBN 0-8476-8611-6.
  2. ^ Green, John (2000). Prayers in the Precincts. Washington: Georgetown University Press. p. 53. ISBN 0-87840-775-8.
  3. ^ a b Smoot Steps Down, Rachel Proctor May, The Austin Chronicle, October 15, 2004
  4. ^ "Watchdog group attacks school Bible study". USA Today. 2005-08-01. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  5. ^ Brick, Michael (2009-03-27). "Defeat and Some Success for Texas Evolution Foes". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  6. ^ Watchdog group attacks school Bible study, USA Today
  7. ^ The Bible and Public Schools: Report on the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools Mark A. Chancey
  8. ^ "Survey of Texas University Faculty: Overwhelming Opposition to Watering Down Evolution in School Science Curriculum" (Press release). Texas Freedom Network. 17 November 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  9. ^ Eve, Raymond A.; Belhadi, Chawki A. Evolution, Creationism & Public Schools: Surveying What Texas Scientists Think about Educating Our Kids in the 21st Century. Texas Freedom Network (Report). Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  10. ^ Heinauer, Laura (25 February 2009). "Study: Texas schools flunking sex ed". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2022.