Bill Would Allow Academic Study of Bible in Public Schools
By: Adam Rodriguez
Updated: December 21, 2012
Hollywood loves a good bible story, whether it's Indiana Jones finding the ark of the covenant, or Charlton Heston parting the Red Sea a la Moses.
But does the bible belong in public schools?
"I think it's okay if the class is a religion class," says Sanna Birkki, a Finland native visiting Little Rock Friday.
Shiem Swift, a Little Rock man doesn't mind the Bible in schools either.
"In a history context, I think it's a good idea," Swift said.
That's the thrust of a new bill filed by Representative Denny Altes, a republican from Fort Smith.
Altes' bill would allow districts to adopt their own Bible-based curriculum for a non-religious, academic study of The Good Book. The course would also be elective, and held by the state board of education to the same standard as other approved courses.
Dale Almond, a River Market merchant, says other religions should be given the same opportunity.
"If they want to teach the Bible, teach the Quran," Almond said. "So people have a choice."
Swift agrees, saying all religious texts should get a fair shake in schools.
"Study them all in their entirety," Swift said, "in the theology of religion, and in general.
It's the same bill Altes introduced in 2011. The only difference is some words in the new version are italicized.
