Missouri is one of six states to push for Bible literacy in schools this year. Missouri House (HB) Bill 267, written by Republican State Rep. Ben Baker of Missouri’s 160th District, would give schools permission to teach elective classes on the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as the Old and New Testament of the Bible in the context of “contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory and public policy,” according to the bill text.
The goal of the bill is to familiarize students with the text of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. HB 267 states the knowledge of biblical content is a prerequisite to understanding contemporary Western society and culture.
Recently, the bill came under fire because the House rejected an amendment proposed by Republican State Representative Shamed Dogan of Missouri’s 98th District, which would add the Quran, the Vedas and the Sutras to the permitted texts. Republican Representative Brad Hudson, a co-sponsor of the bill, said this is because the Bible is the most significant religious text in regards to American and Western history.
“The primary focus of this bill has to do with the Bible and its influence upon Western culture and the founding of our nation,” Hudson said. “There is simply no other text that has had the influence upon Western culture and our nation as the Bible. Our founders quoted the scriptures either directly or indirectly more than any other single source. The class is meant to be taught with regards to the historical significance and influence that the Bible has had on our nation and our culture, and they are not to be religious classes.”
HB 267 is just one in a wave of legislation sweeping the nation. The President has tweeted his support for this type of Bible literacy class. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky, the only state that approved a Bible literacy bill, wrote a letter to the state Department of Education condemning these Bible-centered classes.
Advanced Placement World History teacher Gregory Irwin, who holds an undergraduate degree in philosophy and religion and teaches the World Religions class at RBHS, is skeptical about the motivations of the bill. Although the bill’s sponsors insist the Bible would only be taught from an academic standpoint, Irwin questions this, as having a class about exclusively one religious text seems to imply the promotion of that religion.
“I think that schools should be allowed to teach about religious texts, but I think if they’re going to teach about one, then they should be able to teach about all religious texts,” Bozoian said. “Love is what Christianity is based off of, and forced love isn’t real love. I think that the constitution is right, that you should have the freedom to choose. I don’t want to try to force my religion on somebody because that’s not them willingly wanting to step into that relationship with Christ.”
While there is criticism of the bill, Hudson argues the Bible would be taught, not in promotion of Christianity, but in order to educate students on its effect on Western history. Additionally, Hudson stresses the classes would be in no way required.
“This is an elective course,” Hudson said. “No one is being forced to take it, so you’re going to have individuals who are choosing to take this particular course.”
Another point of contention is the qualification of those who will teach the Bible literacy classes. “The Bible and Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide,” a report published by the National Bible Association and the First Amendment Center, states, “When selecting teachers to teach Bible electives, school districts should look for teachers who have some background in the academic study of religion. Unless they have already received academic preparation, teachers selected to teach a course about the Bible should receive substantive in-service training from qualified scholars before being permitted to teach such courses.”
Irwin worries even well-meaning teachers who do not have a background in the academic teaching of the Bible may accidently make a statement of faith, but Hudson does not think this will be a problem.
“I think already there are procedures in place to make sure that our teachers are qualified to teach that curriculum from an academic standpoint,” Hudson said. “And I understand folks having the concern with regard to potentially a teacher taking this subject matter and using it as a religious class rather than an academic one. That potential could be there any time we reference a religious text at all, and that should not bring us to the point where we do not reference the historical significance of religious texts.”
Should stories from the Bible be taught in schools? Let us know in the comments below!
Alma Jarbou • Apr 28, 2019 at 12:28 pm
I agree with Bozoian; if we are going to teach one religious book, we should be able to teach others if at least a few people want to learn about them. I also believe Hudson is wrong. The bible might have greatly influenced Western culture, but the amazing thing about America is how diverse it is, religiously and culturally.
Sarah • Apr 26, 2019 at 8:45 pm
Introducing religion in schools should be allowed, but only if a wide variety of religions from different origins are taught. Even though the Bible has had huge effects on Western culture, giving it its own class without offering ones for other religions is putting it on a pedestal.