Idaho education blocks Bible as literature, historic influence class
Charter school planned “not to teach religion” but state’s education panel rules against using Bible
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A state education panel has blocked a school’s plan to teach about the Bible.
The Idaho Public Charter School Commission said in a statement last week that the state Constitution “expressly” limits use of religious texts.
The Nampa Classical Academy, in southwestern Idaho, had said it planned to teach about the literary and historic influence of the Bible — not to teach religion.
The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Alliance Defense Fund, a religious liberty group, represented the academy and had argued that the writers of Idaho’s Constitution “sought assurances that the right of public schools to use the Bible as a teaching tool would be protected.” Nampa Classical Academy has a statutory right to choose its own curriculum, the defense fund argued.
Kyle Borger, chairman of the academy’s board, said the school will follow the commission’s directive. The school serves more than 550 students and is scheduled to open Sept. 8.
In Decmeber I oft times reply, “Have a Happy Humbug.”
Tor Hershman
August 23, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Whoever thought that the time would come when “freedom of religion” means that no school child shall set eyes on a Bible or speak of God unless His name is used as a curse? What have we done?
Melissa Leibold
August 26, 2009 at 1:43 am