Texas may require schools to carry elective on Bible

Texas may require schools to carry elective on BibleLegislation calls for an 'objective and nondevotional' course. | By Lianne Hart, Times Staff Writer | April 15, 2007

HOUSTON — The Lone Star State could become the first in the nation to require all public high schools to offer an elective course on the Bible.

Hearings continued in the Legislature last week on a bill that calls for school districts in Texas to offer a class on "the history and literature of the Old and New Testaments eras" if at least 15 students sign up.

The bill was written by state Rep. Warren Chisum, a West Texas Republican who teaches Sunday school at a Baptist church. He said the course would not treat the Bible as a "worship document" but would promote religious and cultural literacy by "educating our students academically and not devotionally."

The bill, which says the class is to be taught in "an objective and nondevotional manner," does not provide funding or training for school districts and teachers. ... [Sunday school is good enough ... ed]