Last month, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution proclaiming “Christ is King” to honor “the sovereignty of Jesus Christ as a source of hope, unity, and moral guidance.” The resolution faced intense scrutiny from critics, but was ultimately passed in by a vote of 71-16.
Not to be outdone, one Texas politician said “hold my holy water.”
Rep. Carrie Isaac recently introduced House Concurrent Resolution 59, which would make every April for the next ten years “Promise Month,” a reminder, the legislation reads, that “God keeps His promises.”
Though the resolution’s only been proposed, it has nearly 50 co-sponsors and had a hearing earlier this month. With Texas’ recent legislative push to bring the Bible back to public life, it seems possible that explicitly Christian messaging could soon become recognized legislative policy.
What Is Promise Month?
If you’re in Texas, you may be celebrating “Promise Month” this time next year.
“This resolution honors God’s promises of love and guidance, recognizing the vital role of faith in our state’s history and future,” wrote Rep. Isaac, the bill’s author, on Instagram. “Let’s stand firm in our faith and celebrate God’s promises that bring hope, strength, and peace!”
The short resolution legally establishes that God keeps His promises, God’s promises are precious, and God’s promises show the way to salvation. The resolution also declares the United States an explicitly Christian nation: “The Declaration of Independence clearly reveals the fact that America was founded upon Biblical principles and Christian values; the Bible had great influence on the founding of our great nation.”
The legislation seems inspired both by Oklahoma’s “Christ is King” bill, as well as a little-known resolution passed in the 2023 legislative session, House Concurrent Resolution 29. That resolution established the last week of every April as “Christian Heritage Week,” a resolution which is on the books until at least 2033.
Supporters seem to be saying: why only have a week when you can have a month?
Critics React
Those skeptical of the state getting too involved with specific religions were not thrilled about the proposal.
“Effectively endorsing Christianity as the state-sanctioned religion” is how a press release from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) describes the legislation. “Texas legislators are determined to implement their Christian nationalist agenda.”
FFRF alleges that not only is the resolution a blatantly illegal state endorsement of Christianity, but that Texas lawmakers in favor of the resolution are nearly in dereliction of their duty.
“FFRF urges Texas lawmakers to remember they swore an oath of office to serve all constituents, regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof. Using their positions of power to create government observances based on specific religious doctrines not only disrespects the religious freedoms of citizens but also contradicts the Texas Constitution.”
The group warns that Texas is inching towards a theocracy, where Christian nationalism is the de facto state faith and Christian rule the law of the land. And they say that declarations like this are mere trial balloons to inch away from a secular government one bill at a time.
But bill author Rep. Isaac says this bill is for all Texans, not just Christians. “Representative Isaac invites all Texans to participate in this initiative,” she wrote on Facebook, “by reflecting on their faith, standing firm in their commitments, and trusting in God’s promises for the future of our state and nation.”
What do you think? Should there be a state-sanctioned month to remind us of Jesus? Is that even legal? And what of the millions of non-Christians in Texas?
56 comments
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Lawrence A. Benson
Since when do the States not have to abide by the laws of the U.S. Constitution? Why are there always a few people who feel the need to profess their religious beliefs by shoving them down other people's throats? If everyone believed whatever they wish to believe, in the privacy of their own homes and minds, there would be less death and destruction in the world. In other words, MYOB when it comes to your beliefs.
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Brother Peter
Amen.
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Bond Wright
This is another example of Christian Fascism.
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ServantOfJudgement
Please tell that to the Pride month brigade know how you feel.
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Keith Ramsey
Tell them what exactly? They are not doing any of those things.
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Reverend Paula Copp
So much for separation of church and state! America is NOT a christian nation, not in the beginning and theoretically not now. Nutty religious zealots!
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ServantOfJudgement
Right, next thing you know is they'll have a whole month just to celebrate people's particular fetish in the bedroom.
These religious nuts will never stop
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Just checked…pride month is not recognized by any sort of formal government issued decree.
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Michael Hunt
And what about the Texans that do not believe there is a God or deity at all? How would they participate in this initiative?
This reeks of Christian nationalism and seems to go against the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Isn't this a law that respects one religion over others?
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ServantOfJudgement
Same way everyone does during pride month. Wake up, go to work, come home work al little on your own stuff and do it again tomorrow.
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Michael Hunt
Per the blog article: "But bill author Rep. Isaac says this bill is for all Texans, not just Christians. 'Representative Isaac invites all Texans to participate in this initiative,' she wrote on Facebook, 'by reflecting on their faith, standing firm in their commitments, and trusting in God’s promises for the future of our state and nation.'"
This is what I am responding to. He's basically saying the equivalent of, "everyone should participate in this by being gay" which even liberals would find ridiculous. Pride celebrations intend to celebrate a traditionally discriminated against and marginalized group. This intends to make more Christians.
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Keith Ramsey
So, you are saying pushing their religious beliefs on everyone else is okay, because equating this to Pride Month is just silly.
But it figures you'd defend this blatant attempt to push religious beliefs on others.
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Brooke Marie Indian
Why every time someone says anything, people say "that's how people feel about pride month?" It gets old. Don't like it , don't participate. I am not for an entire month of anything, but I do enjoy Pride weekend &parades. There's nothing foul or bad. And the Abrahamic god said to love all his creations. That He knew them before they were in the womb. Pretty sure he knew they were like that, just saying.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Is there an actual State sponsored Pride Month? Personally I think a State sponsored ‘religious anything’ is an atrocity that celebrates willful ignorance and delusional thinking. Should I just cultivate an attitude that we should let the bottom portion of the human race participate in their silly activities even though their intention is to force said silliness upon everyone?
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Rev. Mike Eggleston
The following month they could organize a month long celebration of Satan. For all Texans of course, not just Satanists. That would be fair.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Technically, if the law is not forcing everyone to practice Christianity, it might be legal, although it’s a slippery slope. The Oklahoma law proclaiming Christ is King is another matter. Oklahoma is supporting one religion above all others. I agree with the critics who say these states are passing one law at a time, moving us closer to a Christian nation. I guess this is what they mean by freedom of religion: their religion and no others.
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Patricia Ann Gross
What I don't get is what does "Christ is King" mean? Christ is not a ruler nor was he ever one. This is something that is not only promoting Christianity, but one faction of conservative Christianity. Not every follows all the same practices, and there are many that abhor the notion of Christian Nationalism. You are spot-on.
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Daniel Todd Kamm
They'd better have months for other religions too, or they are going down in flames in the courts, and if they don't "you will know them (here, the judges) by their works." All the way to the Supremes, minus the financially miscreant Thomas and the Scalia "Scag."
Typical argument of Right Wingers and Republicans...sucking the dollars out of everything decent so the rest of us have to roll in the mud with their "pork" (see the political definition of "pork.") Aka getting "porked."
Not to mention the frivolous lawsuits they supposedly hate but constantly file and impose on the courts and on the public dime, while their lawyers get fatter and fatter and fatter until they wind up like Mr. Giuliani... still rich, but their sacrificial "Golem."
Whatever... I don't believe in a hell... but if there is one, the one's who claim to believe better buy stock in in-flammables... before what they believe becomes their reality.
Peace Out...
And when is Ganesh month?
Rebtk
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Daniel Todd Kamm
Why can't we just give Texas and these other whining "nobody does us white folks right?" states back to Mexico or their former European powers where they will finally have to live under the rules of societies that have advanced slightly more than ours.. and good riddance... the USA is too lenient with them, they abhor the country's social contract... they can leave... besides...all those brown people were here first...
Give them back if anyone will take them....
PO , RebTk
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Mark Hannon
I think that any religion that needs their government to assign a month or any other period to a time of remembrance would have to be really lame.
Usually the religions have holidays, ministers and services that sufficiently remind congregants of the religion they claim to be part of.
Do Atheists have any remembrance times? They must be pretty well supported and have smart people that follow.
Personally, I am aware of the Deity I follow. I accept that ALL gods are really just one.
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ServantOfJudgement
Agreed. Black History month, white history month, Latino history month , gay pride month amongst others are all signs of what you said.
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Rev. BH
SoJ, these are not state mandated religious ceremonies. Try to grasp this.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Is this your list of WOKE things you don’t think deserve recognition? Maybe we celebrate them because it’s taken so long to have equal rights, yet many of them still are not in writing. None of these days/months/years are recognized by the government. And why on earth would we need a White History Month, as every day is a white history day.
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Martin L Stigleman
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states that, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." As you can see, this is the final part of the First Amendment hat is being dismantled...The rest have already been tossed out with the garbage!
And for all the detractors...BLACK HISTORY MONTH, does not push anyone to violate their religious freedom. It is a recognition of the contributions to the world that have been made by black artists, scientists, musicians, and scholars. The only ones who have an issue with it are racists (If the shoe fit, lace it up ad wear it!). GAY PRIDE MONTH has absolutely nothing to do with you unless you have had to spend your life hiding who you are or to live in fear because of who you love from a world of hate and intolerance. It's a time when those who are marginalized by society are able to come together and show that they are not alone...where they can support one another and help each other to forgive the hatefulness that others show to them. The ones of you who are so bent out of shape about it are the reason they have had to hide. For those who want to use "Jesus" as an excuse, I really hope to see the day when you have to face your punishment for attributing so much hate to your "savior". His every word was telling you to love and support each other...pretty sure he won't look fondly on you using his name to promote hatred for others.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
This would be a good thing. It will drive Christians crazy being overheled with Jesus, God and religion everyday. People will just get sick of it.
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Rev Ned
Since he’s, obviously, illiterate, he should have someone read and explain The Constitution to him. There’s gotta be other stuff in it that he has no clue about. COVFEFE!!!
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Barry T Gabbard
The whole USA should!!!
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Keith Ramsey
Why? None of the USA should do this, we are not a nation ran by the church.
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Nicholas J Page
The whole of the US not just Texas
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ServantOfJudgement
That's right. Let's make sure we have a gay Jesus month where you can see dudes in G Strings dry grind on mobile stages instead.
Can you imagine what could happen if people took the serious benevolent Jesus over the gay crucifix crotch grinding Jesus? That would be terrible and wrong.
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Patricia Ann Gross
OK SOJ, we get your point, but you obviously don't get anyone else's. Why aren't you using the same logic on Black History Month, Women's History Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month? I guess you'd rather be seen as a homophobe/transphobe bigot than a racist, sexist, and ableist bigot. May God grant you the compassion you need to see everybody's worth, and not just those that look and think like you do.
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Rev. BH
SoJ, what is your fetish with crotch grinding?
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Martin L Stigleman
SOJ...I really hate to destroy your dreams, but despite what you so clearly hope to see almost all LGBTQ+ are just normal, everyday people. I know you are hoping for G-strings, stage shows, drag queens, humping in public, and molesting children, but nearly all of them are just as appalled by those types of things as you publicly pretend to be (It's okay...we are all friends here, so we aren't judging you). BTW...you should try not to mention crotch grinding so many times in a 4-sentence post...It kinda "outs" you, dude. ...or should we call you "Princess"?
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Bond Wright
Ms Gross I second that with vigor. Rev. Wright
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Steven Ferrell
It seems every month had something, some gave two or three that people can choose to honor and take part in or not. So what does it hurt to have another one that people can take part in or not.
I don’t take part in black history month, but other do so good for them. I don’t take part in rainbow month, but others do. Is it really something for people to get worked up over? I don’t think it’s a big deal.
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Matthew L Fox
FFRF members that choose to navigate life without divine guidance do not have to participate, nor does anyone else outside the Christian Faith. What harm is there in letting us Christians have a "recognized" time of remembrance and hope? If everyone would just stay in their lane.....
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Bond Wright
Mr. Fox: the law of this land is the Constitution which clearly states there must be a separation of church and state. The founding Father's had a good reason for this--you should look it up. Rev. Wright
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A.E.
Faith is something to nuture in your own heart, not mandate for others. Early Christians were martyred for refusing to sacrifice to the Roman state's gods. This is just a step away from the same sort of state brutality in the name of religion. I don't think that Jesus would care for this.
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JaZe
They must think very little of him if only one month out of 12 is worthy of celebration. If you are a believer you can celebrate him every day. There are already a number of Christian celebrations worldwide.
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Mark A. Fear
I personally stand with it. There is a fine line between church and state.
However if the government is involved enough to make Black history month ,( which is just American history with a twist), Gay pride month,( which is blatantly against God's law). Then the fact this country was founded on Christian moral and beliefs, ( not to mention as a whole the majority of the nation is Christian or have some belief of God), deserves recognition.I will offer another suggestion. Get rid of all these special notifications. Let people be content with their own beliefs without all the concerns if someone else is noticing your feelings.. we used to be a nation with backbone and personal morals. Now we a country that cries if we don't get acknowledgment.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Actually, Mark, I appreciate the opportunity to learn things I possibly didn't learn in schools because of the way "history" lessons are structured (history is written by the winners, by the way, so there is always bias involved). Learning about contributions of African Americans, Women, and people who are within the LGBTQIA+ community always reminds me of how privileged I am. It also make them a little bit less "scary."
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Gerald Leonard Hoffman
Comment removed by user.
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Brooke Marie Indian
I am the daughter of a born-again Minister, and I am Omnist. And I live in Texas. Lordy no I do not want this here. Sorry it won't pass. Y'all can hope all you want, but they didn't even pass the 10 commandments law in every school because it's Unconditional. It doesn't matter if you think your God is better than their God. (3 religions technically have same God y'all -different way of getting to Him). When it comes to religion it's very touchy. Not all of one party are Christians just because they vote one way. Good grief
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David Dorrycott
No God loves anyone, nor Goddess for that matter and I include my own (Athena.) They just want you to follow their laws and the heck with anything else.
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James Trenton Smith
Yes. This is legal...because of this:
Amendment X of the United States Constitution:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
The separation of Church and State is not a tenant of the Constitution. It is a court precedent now, but first expounded upon in a letter, penned by Thomas Jefferson, in 1802 to the Danbury Baptist Association. The intentions of which originated in the idea that Government needed to stay out of Church affairs, but the Church was never meant to stay out of Governmental affairs.
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Amber Fry
False. The first Amendment does cover this. The Establishment Clause in particular prohibits Congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. This means the government cannot establish a national religion, favor one religion over another, or force individuals to practice or not practice a religion. That is what makes it a separation of church and state.
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Cyril R. VanKeirsbelk
"Everson v. Board of Education (1947) Supreme Court case incorporated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment into the Fourteenth Amendment, making it binding on state governments. This means that states cannot make laws that establish a religion, aid religion, or prefer one religion over another."
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James Roosevelt Thaxton Jr
To believe in God and to not believe in God, both are expressions of faith. The atheist will cry foul, but that cry is an 'evangelical' move to express what they believe and to conform the government to it. When I consider the things around me, I see design, complex physics at work beyond my comprehension. I see complex chemistry at work beyond my comprehension. I see engineering and design in all things, complex engineering beyond my comprehension. Then I consider, if I really understood all the sciences, I still would not be able to create self-awareness and consciousness in anything I worked on. There is definitely a "Great Engineer" at work, God. To acknowledge this is common sense for me, not faith. To believe that there is no God, yet seeing the wonders that exist, that defies common sense for me and requires greater faith than the believer.
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Matthew W Meister
Christian Nationalism at it's best. This flies in the face of the United States Constitution and doesn't just come close to establishing a state religion, it actually DOES establish state sponsored religion. No one should ever be told by their government how and when they should or should not worship a particular deity.
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Rev. Kameelah Stewart
I don't understand how they think that this is going to work. This is wrong, there is supposed to be a separation of church and state, how can you make this legal?
No this is wrong. State sanctioned or mandated religion is exactly why our forefathers left England. This is unconstitutional. This act is one step closer to Theocracy.
Right, just like the pride month
Except Pride Month is nothing like this. Pride month isn't trying to tell everyone to be guy. This is trying to tell everyone to follow their religion.
SoJ, Pride Month is not a religion. No comparison.
England here: our state religion is Islam
Anglican Church has nothing to do with Islam past having a belief in a singular god. You might be seeing an influx of them over there but that doesn't mean the religion is officially the state religion. If you must make such comments please at least be factual.
The official state church in England is the Church of England, which is the mother church of the Anglican Communion, the third largest Christian denomination. The Sovereign is the head of the Church (most recently Queen Elizabeth, but now King Charles); the ecclesiastical head is the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is also the primun inter pares (loosely, first among equals) for the Anglican communion. Islam is tolerated but not the state religion.