Tulsa Interfaith Alliance opposes bill on Bible courses

Bill seeks to protect school districts wishing to teach the bible

(Tulsa, OK) The Tulsa Interfaith Alliance voiced its opposition to Senate Bill 48, introduced by Sen. Kyle Loveless (R-Oklahoma City). The bill seeks to provide immunity from liability for school district employees who wish to teach an elective course on religion or the Bible.

"It is already legal, under existing law and judicial precedence, for public schools to teach the cultural significance of the bible or any other sacred text. This legislation is an attempt to legally shield school districts who wish to violate existing law rather than do what is necessary to properly train faculty and staff on the appropriate ways to teach religion," said Rev. Bob Lawrence, Executive Director of the Tulsa Interfaith Alliance.

Senator Loveless has stated that his bill is in response to concern by one school district that wanted to authorize the use of the curriculum developed by the Museum of the Bible, which was founded by Steve Green, president Hobby Lobby stores. After objections raised by the Freedom from Religion Foundation and Americans United For Separation of Church and State through the ACLU, the school district opted not to offer the class.

The curriculum in question is widely acknowledged to not be appropriate for use in public schools because it teaches a narrow Christian understanding of the Bible, including references to its supremacy over other texts. Other companies have produced curricula that teach the cultural significance of the Bible without crossing the line into teaching Christian dogma.

Lawrence pointed out that OCCJ, in partnership with Union Public Schools, hosted a well-attended workshop in 2014 designed to help educators learn how to teach about religion in public schools without violating the Establishment Clause.

The Tulsa Interfaith Allianceis a non-partisan, faith-based advocacy group that works diligently to maintain the separation of church and state, to address issues of unconstitutional religious expression, and to raise awareness of the greater good that people of all faiths, and no faith, bring to society. Our work is directed toward the public square, not individual faith communities.

The Gayly – January 29, 2015 @ 10:10am.