Alabama House Bill Seeks to Teach Bible in School

I recently read an article in the Montgomery Advertiser about an initiative going through the Alabama House of Representatives to allow the teaching of the Bible in Alabama public schools. It's called HB58 and, oddly enough, it was introduced by two Alabama House Democrats: Rep. Ken Guin, D-Carbon Hill, and House Speaker Seth Hammett, D-Andalusia.

The legislation is vague and only contains three pages. It would essentially allow the teaching of the Bible through a historical and academic perspective as an elective course for grades 9-12. The Bill has an interesting requirement which has sparked quite the debate; the Bill would require the use of only one textbook, The Bible and it's Influence. So why is that such an interesting point? Well, according to Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, in her guest column in the Shelby County Reporter:

This week, the Legislature will consider a Democrat-sponsored bill that allows local school boards to include Bible curriculums in their classroom, even though they already have that authority. While on the surface, the legislation sounds pleasing, the bill actually mandates the textbook that must be used - a textbook that was partially written and approved by ultra-liberal groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, the Council for Islamic Education and the People for the American Way, which was founded by liberal Hollywood producer Norman Lear.

The text of the book even contains several disturbing questions like, “If God allows evil things to happen, can God be honestly described as good,” and “you think Adam and Eve received a fair deal as described in Genesis?”

Surprisingly enough, by doing my own digging I have yet to find anything to support Mrs. Cavanaugh's claims. In fact, I've found quite the opposite; most Democrats are fighting mad over this book and look at it as just a back door method of teaching Christianity in public schools. In fact David Blankenhorn, Chairman of the Board of the Bible Literacy Project, the group responsible for the book, is the President of the conservative think-tank, Institute for American Values.

But Ms. Cavanaugh is not the only critic of the Bill. The Education Reporter makes the following statement:

Alabama House Bill 58 is at the center of heated conflict surrounding a course and textbook titled The Bible and Its Influence.

Critics cite that current Alabama policy provides for Bible literacy course offerings, rendering HB 58 unnecessary. Other problems also include: bypassing local and state board approval for public school curriculum, the absence of a proper review for the specified textbook, and legislating use of a vendor's product.

Nationally, those who value the importance of the Bible are concerned about the questionable manner in which Biblical passages are used by The Bible and Its Influence, including undermining Biblical truth and authority.

The American Family Association has also criticized the effort:

“While we enthusiastically endorse the teaching of the Bible as part of a well-rounded education, this bill goes too far by attempting to force local school districts to use only one, untested textbook,” commented Stephen Crampton, Chief Counsel for the AFA Center for Law & Policy. “It usurps the authority of the State Board of Education, which is vested with exclusive authority to review and approve textbooks for use in the public schools of Alabama.”

It should also be noted that teaching of the Bible in public schools in Alabama is not illegal. Teaching of the Bible's influence on the arts, history, and culture is allowable even without HB58. So what is the real purpose of the Bill then? From what I can understand the Bill disguises the restriction of using the one textbook under the veil of "allowing Biblical teaching in public schools," something that is already allowed. The only thing this Bill would accomplish would be restricting the education of the Bible to this one textbook alone rather than allowing teachers and the Board of Education to decide. As far as the textbook itself is concerned I cannot find anything to support that it was written by members of the ACLU or any other groups that Ms. Cavanaugh has pointed out. That is not to say that she is wrong. That is merely to say that I cannot find anything to support that notion. I do think that it is important that Christians in our state understand this Bill and it's purpose before deciding to support it. What is really behind this textbook and why are Democrats pushing this issue?

If anyone has any good documented information on this textbook and it's purpose please either leave a comment on the blog or contact me directly via email at everyman dot blog at gmail dot com.

h/t- Alabama Improper

*UPDATE*- Apparently this bill was killed in the House the day before I posted this article. I don't think we've seen the last of this, though.