A Texas school district reversed its decision to remove the Bible from its libraries after significant criticism and clarification from state officials. The Canyon Independent School District initially cited compliance with the Republican-backed House Bill 900, which bans “sexually explicit” materials in public school libraries, as the reason for its removal.

Superintendent Dr. Darryl Flusche informed parents in an email that the full text of the Bible was being pulled due to references to sexual activity in some passages. The district, however, allowed “Bible stories” to remain on library shelves. Parents were advised to seek copies of the Bible from local churches if their children wished to read it.

The TX legislature passed a law banning books with sexually explicit material, so the district decided to use that as an opportunity to ban the Bible. I have no idea which Biblical stories they claimed were explicit material.

— George (@BehizyTweets) December 30, 2024

The decision prompted outrage at a school board meeting, where parents labeled the removal “absurd” and argued the Bible’s moral and historical value deserved protection. “In a chaotic world, having the Word of God available to our children can provide comfort and security,” said Regina Kiehne, a mother of two students in the district.

Texas state Rep. Jared Patterson, who sponsored HB 900, condemned the district’s action, calling it “wrong and likely illegal.” In a letter to Superintendent Flusche, Patterson clarified that the legislation specifically protects religious texts, including the Bible. “The Bible is the most important and most-read book in history. Removing it does a grave injustice to the students in your care,” Patterson wrote.

After Patterson’s intervention, the district reassessed its decision. In a statement, Canyon ISD announced it had reevaluated the guidelines and reinstated the Bible in all its libraries. The district emphasized its commitment to maintaining an inclusive and legally compliant educational environment.

Bible sales in the United States have surged by 22% through October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, reflecting its enduring popularity as the bestselling book of all time.