Arizona House Votes to Allow Bible Class, Schools, Teach, Texts
The state House voted 42-15 Tuesday to allow high schools to teach elective courses on the influence of the Bible on Western culture and civilization.
Tuesday’s vote came over the objections of House Minority Leader Chad Campbell. The Phoenix Democrat said limiting schools to using the Old and New Testaments “is going to run into a constitutional challenge.”
But Rep. Terri Proud, R-Tucson, who crafted the HB 2563, said she does not see a problem. She said the language allowing the use of the texts for non-religious purposes has been approved by others.
Proud did agree to several last-minute changes, including one that requires the courses to accommodate not only diverse religious views but also non-religious views. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Nothing in the legislation requires schools to offer the courses. And Rep. Doris Goodale, R-Kingman, said they are not designed to teach religion.