A.G. Gancarski
A Jacksonville Democrat has again filed legislation that would mandate that public high schools offer elective courses in Bible study.
This would include studies of the Old and New Testaments, as well as Hebrew Scripture.
HB 341 would require — rather than just permit, as is the case now — high schools to offer an “objective study of religion.”
Such courses include:
— “A course on the Hebrew Scriptures and Old Testament…”
— “A course on the New Testament…,” and
— “A course on the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible, and the New Testament of the Bible.”
They would still be electives: If the bill passes, however, the state’s public schools would have to offer these, but no one student would be required to take them.
A request for comment on the latest bill was left with Daniels’ office.
Similar legislation is being considered or has been passed elsewhere.
According to the USA Today, “Bible literacy bills have been introduced in Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia.”
Kentucky, meanwhile, has legislation much like that proposed by Daniels, who failed to get traction with this in the 2019 Session; that bill died at its second committee stop.
Daniels, a Christian evangelist by trade, has successfully carried religious legislation before, drawing on support from Republicans and African-American Democrats:
— HB 303, the “Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act,” passed in 2017.
The measure bans school districts “from discriminating against students, parents, & school personnel on basis of religious viewpoints or expression,” and requires a school district “to adopt limited public forum policy & deliver a disclaimer at school events.”
— HB 839, a bill requiring school districts to display Florida’s motto “In God We Trust,” passed in 2018.
12 comments
Frankie M.
October 11, 2019 at 5:47 pm
What’s with all these Bible thumping Republicans shoving their religion in our faces? What happened to a separation between church & State? That’s why God made vouchers for private school.
Copyleft
October 13, 2019 at 1:19 pm
It’s worse than that… this one’s a Democrat. Why on earth do people keep voting for Bible-thumping ninnies like this? Do they honestly think a Christian government would be a good thing? Can they be THAT stupid?
gary
October 14, 2019 at 1:53 pm
Separation of Church and state is liberal created lie! You, and millions of American that simply chant this quote as though it was in our founding documents, are ignorant to the facts! Read the federalists papers and get educated dummies!
Copyleft
October 16, 2019 at 2:29 pm
You didn’t answer the question, Gary. Do you really think a Christian government would be a good thing?
Sonja Fitch
October 11, 2019 at 7:33 pm
Which Bible? Why the Bible? Why not the Koran? Why not the Book of Mormon?
Walter77777
October 15, 2019 at 11:28 am
I ask why no the Tao te Jing, The Taoist book called in English translation, The Way of Life. I am a Taoist even though there is no real Taoist religious organization for me to join. It may be taught as philosophy. I suspect it will make manyunhappy and intolerant persons mor ehappy and mor etolerant.
David Williamson
October 12, 2019 at 7:52 am
“This is all according to the plan laid out in the Project Blitz playbook, in which “In God We Trust” bills are just the first act, and Bible class bills come second. The playbook includes 21 model bills – each one intended to be a stepping stone to the next, ending with bills that would weaponize religion as a means to discriminate.”
https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/project-blitz-wants-to-bring-bible-class-to-a-public-school-near-you
Richard
October 12, 2019 at 9:33 am
Yes. Thanks for mentioning Project Blitz and providing a link to an authoritative source.
Dorothee Custer
October 12, 2019 at 10:49 am
My first thought! In college I took an elective class in comparative religion. After 12 years of Roman Catholic schools I wanted to learn what ALL major religion believed. It was very interesting.
I do not believe that religion should be taught in our public schools – especially since it is clear that the legislators think all important religions are Christian.
Clearly this bill, along with the private school funding, are not compatible with the concept of public schools providing education for ALL our children. If parents want their children educated in religion they & their places of worship should pay for it.
Gráinne
October 12, 2019 at 9:29 am
Who is Daniels? He’s referred to as Daniels without us ever being given his name.
Richard
October 12, 2019 at 9:35 am
Kimberly Daniels, a Jacksonville Democrat who fashions herself as a preacher and corrective social force in a devil-filled world.
gary
October 14, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Get it don! It’s the only thing that will save future generations from Sodom and Gomorrah!
Comments are closed.