Oklahoma lawmakers are considering a bill this session that will allow public high schools in the state to offer an elective class on the Bible.
Actually, the bill provides, in the words of the legislation’s author, guidelines to ensure the classes focus on the historical context of Christian scripture. Some schools across the state already offer similar courses.
We think it is a good thing to offer the class to students if they are interested. Perhaps, though, a better course of study would be a class on comparative religion, not just including the Bible but other religions as well. There is a lot of misunderstanding and misconceptions out there about various religions and beliefs. Given the fact religion is such an important topic today, and not necessarily always for the best reasons, such a class makes sense.
Mike Fuller, chairman of the Oklahoma chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, said there is some merit to a study of the Bible in public schools, as long as instructors are trained to teach the course objectively.
As we said, the bill would allow the course as an elective. No student would be forced to take the class. We have no problems seeing this legislation continuing through the legislative process.
Opinion
February 4, 2010
Bill offering elective Bible study course in public schools has merit
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