Florida Bible study bill wins approval in first House stop

[teach1st]

This is the same Florida Democrat who passed legislation requiring schools to conspicuously post the phrase “In God We Trust.”

Florida Bible study bill wins approval in first House stop
Tampa Bay Times, 3/7/2019

A bill that would require Florida public high schools to offer an elective course on the Old Testament and New Testament began moving through the Florida House on Wednesday, but not without significant concerns raised about its possible unconstitutionality.

Several members of the House PreK-12 Quality subcommittee questioned whether such a proposal could withstand judicial scrutiny, given the religious nature of the subject matter.

They also took issue with the notion that HB 195 would be able to live up to its section title, “An objective study of religion,” as it focuses on just one religion.

“I don’t know how you can have religious neutrality if your course is focused on just one holy book,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, who suggested she would be more supportive of the measure if it were to include the texts of other world religions.

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[Thomas Hurt]

1. Sure thing, as long as the class is held off school property...

and no taxpayer money is funding the instructors, materials or classroom space.

[CaptainTruth]

4. +1

[procon]

2. A class in comparative world religions is fine,

but this is just a commonplace Christian bible study class masquerading as legitimate ciriculum to trick taxpayers into paying for religious indoctrination in the public sector. Shame on the politicians who are promoting this deception, and a special rebuke to any Dem who is pushing it.

[BigmanPigman]

3. When I attended The New School in 1980 a Lit class

had the Bible as a book on their list to read for the year. Two of my roommates had to take that particular class (it was Foundation year and Lit was a requirement). I couldn't believe it was legal but it was. It wasn't discussed as a religion but as a piece of literature.

I am glad I didn't nave to since I am an atheist and even though it is literature I have a hard time viewing it in that perspective.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Now you can see our dilemma as Florida Dems.

Many Fla. Dems do not share beliefs that you would expect to find on a Democratic platform. I tend to avoid them, as much as I avoid Republicans.