Legal News: the Bible and Georgia Public Schools

Georgia might be the first state to offer Bible classes in its public schools. Last week, Gov. Sonny Perdue signed a bill into law that allows Georgia public school districts to offer elective courses on the Bible. Some thoughts on this:

I haven't had the opportunity to read the legislation, but it sounds as though what the legislature and governor are trying to do is shore up local school districts in the state, some of whom already have Bible classes incorporated into the curriculum. The practical effect of the law will be, first and foremost, to have a uniform curriculum for all elective Bible courses in the state; the legislation gives the state Education Department until next February to draw up the curricular guidelines. Local school districts would then have the option of whether to offer the courses.

Two other reasons stand out for why the state legislature would pass legislation for Bible courses. One possibility is that they are trying to appeal to the conservative base of the Republican Party in an election year. The other is legal, and strategically sound. Getting the state involved in the Bible controversy will allow the state to use its legal resources to defend the practice once the inevitable challenge comes from the ACLU or Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Otherwise, the anti-religion groups would be free to attack local school districts piecemeal, leaving each of them unable to engage in a protracted legal battle or to fight an injunction.

Overall, it makes sense to get the state involved, because there are many legal and constitutional pitfalls with a Bible class, and they are easier to navigate when there is a single, statewide standard for what should be taught, context, etc.

Many people would object to any amount of Scripture being taught in the public schools, claiming that this violates the separation of church and state. But there are two things to keep in mind here. One, this is an elective course that local school districts have the option of offering to their students. Two, the law stipulates that the courses must be taught "in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students." Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,192582,00.html

Critics might say such a goal is impossible. But the Bible has value not just to Christians, but in the context of a history or social studies class as well. As long as it is taught in this way, as a work of history, literature, and in the context of its influence on American law and government, a class on the Bible could have educational value for Georgia high school students. If there is enough demand for a Bible class, I would like to see opponents wait and see how the law is implemented before making up their minds.