Beatitudes In Every Classroom

State Rep. Glenn Rogers

Our good neighbors to the east just passed a law to put displays of The Ten Commandments in every classroom in all Louisiana public schools. No doubt, this will be the catalyst that returns Louisiana society back to paths of righteousness as casino gambling, parimutuel betting, liquor sales, and Mardis Gras beads all become figments of the distant past. 

As Texans, with a long history of turning to the Bible for inspiration, we could improve our schools (and maintain superiority over Louisiana) by going one step further and passing a bill to put the Beatitudes in every classroom! While the Ten Commandments are indeed important, and will prove to be transformative to Louisiana, what could be better than the very words of Jesus Christ himself?

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

-Matthew 5: 3-12 (NIV).

 Delivered during his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us the Beatitudes to lift our spirits, to remind us of our eternal gift, and to teach us how to be kind to those around us. The Beatitudes inform us on how to act in pure goodness. They tell us not to be boastful or arrogant, to be accountable for our actions, and place the needs of others before ourselves. Is that not something all Texans would want to teach their kids? 

Whether we be in a classroom, workroom, boardroom, courtroom, the Senate Chamber or the House Chamber, everyone in Texas would benefit from reading and internalizing these timeless truths. Within the microcosm of our own state government, I can see how this would immediately lead politicians to:

1) Make elections about issues rather than who can spend the most money on character assassination and misleading the electorate;

2) Shun support from organizations whose leadership meets for hours with a neo-Nazi and holocaust deniers;

3) Return or refuse donations from people and groups who seek to buy political office for their own selfish gain; 

4) Work tirelessly against those who seek to destroy our public schools and install their special brand of Theo-oligarchy. 

Whether we have been hurt or have been the ones being hurtful — we all could use the Beatitudes in our daily lives to keep this great state on a good path.  I look forward to seeing those who support the Ten Commandments bill to now step up (ahead of Louisiana) and file the Beatitudes bill. 

Glenn Rogers is the Texas State Representative for District 60, which includes Parker County.