Senate OKs bill for school Bible classes
But the measure's wording is causing confusion over whether elective must be offered


By GARY SCHARRER
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — The Senate easily passed and sent to the governor a bill Wednesday to teach Bible classes to high school students, but lawmakers immediately disagreed on whether the measure would make the courses mandatory.

Legislative leaders differed on whether school districts may offer the religion studies course, or whether they are obligated to do so if 15 or more students sign up for it. Both "may" and "shall" show up in different sections of the House bill that the Senate passed 28-2 without changing.

Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, sponsor of the legislation in the Senate, said his legislative intent clearly is to require school districts to offer the Bible course if at least 15 students sign up for it.

However, Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston, noted that the House Public Education Committee specifically removed "shall" from the original legislation, House Bill 1287, which, he said, allows local school districts to decide whether to offer the course, intended to give students a fuller appreciation of religion's role in society.

"We'll just have to get some experts to look at it," Estes said after being told of Hochberg's interpretation of the bill.

Estes and other supporters got little disagreement from critics that people could benefit from more knowledge about Hebrew scripture, the Christian Bible and the Islamic Quran.

"People need to know both the good things and bad things that have happened in history in the name of religion," Estes said. "There's lots on both sides to go around, and an elective course like this is a wonderful forum to discuss those issues."

And it would be nearly impossible for students, he said, "to understand the writings and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." without a basic knowledge of the Bible.


Other religions
Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, asked Estes whether the legislation would obligate school districts to offer a study of the Quran if at least 15 students requested such a course.

Yes, Estes answered, explaining that non-Muslim students may want to study the impact of the Quran "because of the present problems that we have with the war on terror because of people's misrepresentation of the Quran."

Only two senators, Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, opposed the bill.

Hinojosa expressed fear that any religious study course would focus more on the Bible and Christianity than on other faiths.

And he seemed to support Estes' view that a group of 15 or more students could obligate a school district to offer a religious study course.

"Since when do we allow students to dictate to TEA (Texas Education Agency) or some school system what courses to teach?" Hinojosa asked.


Changes to original
The bill heading to Gov. Rick Perry's desk contains several changes from the original measure, all designed to satisfy skeptics. They include:

• Specifications for teacher training and qualifications.
• Requirements for curriculum standards and an actual textbook instead of using the Bible as the textbook.
• Stronger protections for the religious freedom of students and their families.
"Today, the Senate kept safeguards in this bill that should prevent government from telling our schoolchildren what to believe about the Bible," said Kathy Miller, president of a nonpartisan organization that supports religious freedom.

"We will now join with families across the state to ensure that schools adhere to the bill's clear standards that promote respect for both the Bible and the religious freedom of all students."

Better NOT be mandatory!

"And it would be nearly impossible for students, he said, "to understand the writings and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." without a basic knowledge of the Bible."

I 100% DO NOT AGREE with that statement. I do not read the bible yet I have no problem what so ever understanding Dr. Martin Luther King.

As long as it is an elective and ANY religion can be taught (from the bible to wiccan) then I am sort of OK with it. How ever I think that just the fact that there are TWO different religion in school bills floating around right now makes me nervous that separation between church and state is being rubbed very thin for our schools.

if it's an elective then i don't see the big f-ing deal about it ya know. also if all you need is 15 students for a different religion class than what is the big deal.

It better NOT be a mandatory class. I will sue everyone and their brother if they FORCE my child into a religious class because of 15 other kids!!

It better NOT be a mandatory class. I will sue everyone and their brother if they FORCE my child into a religious class because of 15 other kids!!

the way i understood it is if 15 students petition to have a class on the Quaran or any other religion then they will hire a teacher to teach that class but it's still an elective

Nice to see that they might be offering this program!

The Senate easily passed and sent to the governor a bill Wednesday to teach Bible classes to high school students, but lawmakers immediately disagreed on whether the measure would make the courses mandatory.
That tells me that the school officials that have seen it are not sure if the course is mandatory for students so the bill is vague which leaves it open for interpretation.

In states that are not overly religious no problem but in other states it will be an issue.

The reason why it is a big deal is because religion does not belong in schools. They can teach a class on world events/politics/global change if they want to understand the middle east. I don't see how a person that is not Muslim or Jewish, or Christian could properly explain the Qur'an, Torah, or Bible.

Legislative leaders differed on whether school districts may offer the religion studies course, or whether they are obligated to do so if 15 or more students sign up for it. Both "may" and "shall" show up in different sections of the House bill that the Senate passed 28-2 without changing.

Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, sponsor of the legislation in the Senate, said his legislative intent clearly is to require school districts to offer the Bible course if at least 15 students sign up for it.


That is what I was talking about...not the Quaran or other religion part.

If something like that ever becomes mandatory, it will be the last time my kids see a public school. As long as it's an elective and no one is pushing my kids to take it, fine, although I still think if people want bible classes there are plenty of churches who offer them. I really don't see the *need* for it in schools, they are rather easy to find in the appropriate settings (aka church) for anyone who is interested.

If something like that ever becomes mandatory, it will be the last time my kids see a public school. As long as it's an elective and no one is pushing my kids to take it, fine, although I still think if people want bible classes there are plenty of churches who offer them. I really don't see the *need* for it in schools, they are rather easy to find in the appropriate settings (aka church) for anyone who is interested.

:tu Exactly I mean I am sending my eldest to a charter school I don't expect him to learn Torah there it is not the right place or the right teachers. He is going to Hebrew school for that.