Jefferson cut from Texas curriculum

On Friday, March 12, the Texas Board of Education approved a revised curriculum that cuts Thomas Jefferson from a list of figures whose writings inspired revolutions in the late 18th century and 19th century. According to the New York Times, the decision may have influence beyond Texas because the state is one of the largest buyers of textbooks.

• Coverage of the Texas Board of Education decision in the New York Times
• Jefferson on John Calvin from a talk at Monticello on Jefferson and Religion
• February 11, 2010, New York Times Magazine article How Christian Were the Founders?

Adding insult to injury the board inserted John Calvin, whose teachings and legacy Jefferson said “has introduced into the Christian religion more new obscenities than its leader had purged it of old ones.”