A Texas pastor and education activists confronted officials from the Houston Independent School District during a March 19 board meeting over concerns about inappropriate materials in school libraries. Parents and community members called for the removal of books they said contain sexually explicit and profane content accessible to students.
Pastor Rick Scarborough, a Southern Baptist minister and leader of Recover America, addressed the board, stating he had “never [seen] a biblical pastor who supports children having access to books that are so explicit they are banned in our prisons here in Texas.” He warned of moral accountability, citing Scripture and urging officials to reconsider their policies.
Scarborough said, “Jesus warned that if anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a millstone hung around their neck and be cast into the sea,” adding, “That millstone awaits those of you who use your delegated authority to ignore federal and state law by keeping these materials in our libraries.”
Activist Bonnie Wallace attempted to read from a contested book but was stopped and removed from the meeting. Scarborough indicated potential legal action if the materials are not removed.
