Texas lawmakers won't require Bible classes
Pastor Dale Morgan
Texas lawmakers won't require Bible classes*
POSTED: 1635 GMT (0035 HKT), April 20, 2007
Story Highlights
• Lawmakers change bill that would require public schools to teach Bible
classes
• Decided to make the classes optional
• Critics feared class would be more religious than historical
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- A plan to require public schools to teach classes
with the Bible as a textbook was changed by a Texas legislative panel to
make such classes optional instead.
The House Public Education Committee approved the modified bill
Thursday, drawing praise from critics who feared mandatory Bible courses
would be more religious than academic.
"I think the committee got the message that families and churches don't
want the government to tell our children what to believe about the
Bible," said Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network.
The original bill by Republican state Rep. Warren Chisum would have
required schools to offer Bible courses as an elective. He argued the
Bible would be used for its historical value.
About two dozen Texas high schools already offer Bible courses as
electives. Supporters said the legislation would make schools more
confident about offering them.