Christian Bible Curriculum Considered for Arkansas Schools

posted by: Pamela | December 13, 2010, 03:35 PM

A proposed education bill will go in front of the Arkansas legislative in January over creating a Bible based curriculum for Arkansas schools. House bill 1032 would not mandate that curriculum be taught, but developed for possible use in schools. Similar legislation is being considered in states like Oklahoma. Senator Denny Altes of Fort Smith is pre-filing the bill requiring the Arkansas Department of Education to create this controversial curriculum.

According to the state education officials, the course would be taught to students in an objective and non-devotional manner. Similar curriculums already exist within the state.

“We’ve approved two courses to be taught both in the Little Rock and Cabot school districts,” said Julie Johnson Thompson of the Arkansas Department of Education.

Critics argue that focusing on the Christian Bible over other religious texts violates separation of church and state. “When you go in and use one religion over others that’s where you cross that separation of church and state line,” stated Lee Wood Thomas of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers.

It’s possible that the bill might not be passed due to a poor economy and a crammed legislative session.

What do you think? Should schools be given the choice to offer the course or does this cross the line of separation of church and state?

Comment below.

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