Two Houston-area lawmakers are pushing for nativity scenes to take center stage on the Texas Capitol grounds this December, sparking fresh debate over the line between church and state.
State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) introduced the proposal as Senate Bill 515, mirrored by state Rep. Briscoe Cain’s (R-Deer Park) House Bill 1497. Both bills aim to cement a religious symbol in the heart of Texas politics during the holiday season.
“Religious liberties and the freedom to express our faith are vital in our State Legislature,” Middleton declared. “This is something meaningful for everyone in the state who celebrates Christmas.”
However, not all Texans celebrate Christmas. Pew Research Center data shows 77% of Texas adults identify as Christian, but about 4% follow non-Christian faiths, and nearly 18% are unaffiliated with any religion.
