On Tuesday night’s NBC Nightly News, correspondent Antonia Hylton panicked over what she described as religion in the classroom in North Texas public schools. Despite the fact that the First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” Hylton’s guests painted it as unconstitutional to have any discussion of religion in schools at all.
“Over the course of the last two years, school board candidates backed by conservative Christian activists in three local districts, Grapevine Colleyville, Southlake, and Kelleher have passed sweeping policies restricting lessons on race, gender and sexuality, the bathroom use of trans students and removing hundreds of books,” Hylton panicked.
She then interviewed a high school student who was no doubt cherry-picked to give NBC’s approved answer. “Students at all three districts told us they now worry the church is creeping into the state and their schools,” Hylton whined.
“How have you seen religion influence your schools?” she asked the student. To which she replied: “It's frustrating, strange, and hypocritical to see the "In God we trust" signs being put up everywhere, while at the same time, books are being removed from our library shelves.”
Hylton then huffed “On the first day of the Texas legislative session, pastor and North Texas representative Nate Schatzline led a prayer in the Texas capitol.”
The following back and forth only proved Hylton’s anti-religious bigotry:
REP. NATE SCHATZLINE: There is nothing more important that we could be doing than this right here, worshiping and praying in the middle of the capitol.
HYLTON: During the session, he voted to restrict drag performances and to hire religious chaplains as unlicensed mental health counselors in public schools. He canceled an on camera interview but agreed to speak to NBC News for the new podcast Grapevine. What we heard from LGBTQ children right now is this slate of bills has made them feel less safe in their community. How do you square that reality with your Christian faith?
SCHATZLINE: I think Christianity is always rooted in truth. And our emotions are always going to tell us things. What we have never done is encouraged hatred towards that community.
HYLTON: Do you believe in the fundamental separation of church and state?
SCHATZLINE: I believe that church and state -- in the constitution, what was written about it was written to keep the state out of the church, not to keep the church out of the state.
“That sentiment drove award-winning history teacher Amanda Guthrie away from public education for good,” Hylton added.
The activist teacher claimed she quit teaching because “It felt unsafe. The people that work in that district are hard-working, caring people, but even they have no control over what the school board does or says.”
One less teacher poisoning the minds of our innocent children.
The transcript is below:
NBC Nightly News
10/3/2023
6:49:51 p.m. EasternANTONIA HYLTON: It's Anisha Menezes' senior year. But she spent less time celebrating making honor society, or getting excited about college.
ANISHA MENEZES: I think we all just feel exhausted.
HYLTON: Instead, she’s often worried about politics. In her North Texas school district of Grapevine-Colleyville.
MENEZES: In my school, all I can see is people pitted against each other.
HYLTON: Over the course of the last two years, school board candidates backed by conservative Christian activists in three local districts, Grapevine Colleyville, Southlake and Kelleher have passed sweeping policies restricting lessons on race, gender and sexuality, the bathroom use of trans students and removing hundreds of books.
Parents weighing in.
PARENT: Teachers shouldn't be forced to use your freaking made up fantasy pronouns.
PARENT: We’re clouding their minds with these ideas of gender confusion.
HYLTON: But students at all three districts told us they now worry the church is creeping into the state and their schools.
How have you seen religion influence your schools?
MENEZES: It's frustrating, strange, and hypocritical to see the "In God we trust" signs being put up everywhere, while at the same time books are being removed from our library shelves.
HYLTON: On the first day of the Texas legislative session, pastor and North Texas representative Nate Schatzline led a prayer in the Texas capitol.
REP. NATE SCHATZLINE: There is nothing more important that we could be doing than this right here, worshiping and praying in the middle of the capitol.
HYLTON: During the session, he voted to restrict drag performances and to hire religious chaplains as unlicensed mental health counselors in public schools. He canceled an on camera interview but agreed to speak to NBC News for the new podcast Grapevine. What we heard from LGBTQ children right now is this slate of bills has made them feel less safe in their community. How do you square that reality with your Christian faith?
SCHATZLINE: I think Christianity is always rooted in truth. And our emotions are always going to tell us things. What we have never done is encouraged hatred towards that community.
HYLTON: Do you believe in the fundamental separation of church and state?
SCHATZLINE: I believe that church and state -- in the constitution, what was written about it was written to keep the state out of the church, not to keep the church out of the state.
HYLTON: That sentiment drove award winning history teacher Amanda Guthrie away from public education for good. You made the decision to leave in the middle of the school year.
AMANDA GUTHRIE: I did.
HYLTON: Why not stick it out a few more months?
GUTHRIE: It felt unsafe. The people that work in that district are hard-working, caring people, but even they have no control over what the school board does or says.
HYLTON: Leaders from all three districts decline to be interviewed. Grapevine Colleyville told NBC News we review all feedback and continuously look at how we can better serve and support our employees. Southlake's Carroll school noted as required by Texas law we have policies and processes that respect parental rights and appropriately review curriculum. And Keller ISD saying we believe that mutual respect and dignity build unity.
UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT: In a time where the climate is so hostile, it's nice to be able to find solace in just friends you can talk to.
HYLTON: They are proud that these battles have taught them how to find their voice. Antonia Hylton, NBC News, Grapevine, Texas.
