Written by Don Byrd
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed a law this week authorizing an elective in public schools called “The Bible and its Influence on Western Culture.” The text relates both the Old and New Testaments to Western literature, art, music and history. The avoid running afoul of church-state separation the class will have to carefully avoid proselytizing or indoctrination.
State law doesn’t ban the use of the Bible as part of a public-school class curriculum as long as it is for academic purposes and doesn’t involve sectarian ideas or religious devotion. Proud has said teachers and school districts are still often afraid to talk about religion in the classroom.
Opponents believe the bill will face constitutional challenges. Supporters say the class will better prepare students for the future.
Class like this are dangerous exercises in constitutional tightrope-walking. Why not discuss the influence of religion and religious texts on Western culture when those issues come up in literature classes, art history classes, etc.?
