Texas GOP’s “Promise Month” Sparks Debate on Religion in Public Policy

Multiple hands holding a red Bible together.

Texas Republicans’ push to designate April as “Promise Month” spotlighting Christianity raises constitutional questions as critics and supporters clash over religious expression in government.

Quick Takes

Texas House Concurrent Resolution 59 would establish April as “Promise Month” for a decade, focusing on biblical principles and God’s promises.
The resolution has broad support with 47 co-sponsors, including 11 Democrats, showing bipartisan backing for religious recognition.
Freedom From Religion Foundation argues the resolution violates constitutional separation of church and state.
The proposal follows previous religious legislation and reflects growing confidence among Christian conservatives in Texas politics.

Proposed Resolution Honors Biblical Principles

Texas Republican State Representative Carrie Isaac has introduced House Concurrent Resolution 59, which would designate April as “Promise Month” for the next ten years. The resolution focuses on acknowledging God’s promises and biblical principles that supporters say have shaped American history and values. Currently pending in committee, the proposal has garnered significant support with 47 co-sponsors, including 11 Democrats, suggesting bipartisan appeal. If approved, the resolution would establish April as a time for Texans to reflect on and honor Christian teachings within the context of American heritage and founding principles.

The resolution explicitly references Scripture and America’s religious foundations, stating: “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.”

Constitutional Concerns and Opposition

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has voiced strong opposition to the resolution, claiming it is “effectively endorsing Christianity as the state-sanctioned religion.” The organization argues that such government endorsements violate the constitutional principle of separation between church and state by elevating one faith above others. FFRF and similar groups have expressed concern that these resolutions could make non-Christians feel like second-class citizens and are part of a broader pattern of advancing Christian nationalism through legislative actions.

“These government endorsements of Christianity serve a broader purpose,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “They normalize the false narrative perpetuated by extremists that Texas is a Christian state. This is then used to justify passing actual laws rooted in Christian nationalism that take away rights, violate religious freedoms, and cause real harm to those who don’t conform to certain religious beliefs.”

Part of a Larger Movement

The “Promise Month” resolution is not an isolated proposal but part of a series of similar legislative efforts in Texas and other states. Texas previously introduced legislation designating a week in April as “Texas Christian Heritage Week,” while similar resolutions have been attempted in Montana, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. These initiatives reflect what some observers see as a growing confidence among Christian conservatives in the political arena, bolstered by favorable court rulings and election victories that have created a more receptive environment for religious expression in public policy.

“Our opposition comes not from a perspective of anti-religion, but pro-Constitution,” said Mickey Dollens, highlighting the view that such measures require careful consideration of constitutional boundaries rather than simply representing anti-religious sentiment.

Growing Influence in Texas Politics

The Texas legislature has considered multiple bills aimed at increasing Christianity’s presence in public institutions, particularly schools. These include proposals to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms and allow optional prayer time during school hours. Supporters of these measures argue they address what they perceive as moral decline resulting from removing Biblical teachings from education. The rhetoric has evolved from emphasizing “religious freedom” to more openly advocating for Christian principles in public life, reflecting a strategic shift among conservative religious advocates in Texas politics.

Texas has historically served as a testing ground for Christian conservative policies that often spread to other states or eventually become federal law. Lawmakers backing these initiatives express confidence in both their passage and legal sustainability, pointing to shifting judicial interpretations that have become more accommodating of religious expression in government settings. The resolution represents what many see as a growing boldness among faith-motivated lawmakers to bring religious principles more explicitly into the public square and legislative process.