Bible taught as an elective in school

2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. Its influence on our culture, our values, imagination, foundation and creation of our Country has been profound.

This piece of legislation will allow the State of Arizona public school districts to teach (as an elective) the Bible for the purpose of understanding the western civilization and its impact on literature, art, music, law, government, literature, and history.

The 1963 Supreme Court ruling stated, “that public schools may teach students about the Bible as long as such teaching is “presented objectively as part of a secular program of education.” School District of Abington Township v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203, 225 (1963). See Stone v. Graham, 449 U.S. 39, 42 (1980) (per curiam).

The U.S. Department of Education guidelines reiterate that public schools “may not provide religious instruction, but they may teach about religion, including the Bible or other scripture.” “Religious Expression in Public Schools,” Department of Education, Letter from Secretary Richard Riley (August 10, 1995) (original emphasis).

This principle holds true whether teaching about the Bible in literature, history or any other class and whether the course is required or an elective.

My intent is to introduce the Bible as an elective for grades 9-12.

This legislation is not about religion. It’s about understanding a book that has influenced Western civilization more than any other book.

Supported by other States: 550 Public schools are already teaching the Bible as literature and history. States include Arkansas, Alabama, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri.