Advertisement

‘Bible bill’: Florida considers making public school religion course mandatory

Click to play video: 'Florida lawmakers consider ‘Bible Bill’'
Florida lawmakers consider ‘Bible Bill’
A recently proposed bill in Florida would require public schools in the state to offer Bible study classes – Oct 15, 2019

Current state laws allow Florida public schools to offer Bible courses, but a new bill is going to make them a requirement.

Though House Bill 341 wouldn’t force students to take a Bible class, it would require all public schools to offer them in the curricula.

The classes would cover both the New Testament and the Old Testament, but a concern is which version would be taught in school.

READ MORE: ‘Holy Stairs’ that Jesus Christ allegedly climbed exposed to public in Rome for first time in 300 years

It’s also unclear which translation would be used.

According to the Florida House of Representatives, the bill is: “an act relating to the study of the Bible and religion… requiring each school district to offer specified courses relating to religion, Hebrew Scriptures, and the Bible to certain students as elective courses; requiring such courses be included in the Course Code Directory.”

Story continues below advertisement
Click to play video: 'Donald Trump signs bibles in tornado-ravaged Alabama'
Donald Trump signs bibles in tornado-ravaged Alabama

Speaking to NBC 2, local high school student Jake Welling said: “It’s sort of forcing people to be carrying around a bible in school, and to have to bring it out during school, to learn about specific Christian teachings, could be a violation of students’ rights.”

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Don’t shut something out that you haven’t tried,” another student, Caeley Wilson, told the broadcast station. “It opens up friendships and opens up your mind pretty much.”

READ MORE: Bible Museum says 5 of its Dead Sea Scrolls are fake

Jacksonville Democrat Rep. Kim Daniels, a Christian Evangelist, was the first to introduce the bill to the state.

As yet, Florida lawmakers have said they need more time to look into the bill.

Story continues below advertisement

If passed, it’ll go into effect in July 2020.

meaghan.wray@globalnews.ca

Sponsored content

AdChoices