Senate gives final approval to Bible academic study

Democrats who first proposed education program praise House improvements                  

March 27, 2006 – Atlanta, GA -- Senate Democrats who first proposed 2006 legislation allowing an academic study of the Bible in Georgia public schools said they were encouraged that amendments to Senate Bill 79 made in the House of Representatives embraced some of the language of their original proposal.

SB 79, which won final approval in the Senate by a 45 to 2 vote, represents the legislature’s efforts on behalf of the concept first proposed this session in Senate Bill 437, introduced by Sen. Tim Golden (D-Valdosta), Sen. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna), Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta) and Sen. J.B. Powell (D-Blythe).

As amended in the House Education Committee, and later approved by a House vote of 151-7, SB 79 requires that the course be taught in a non-devotional and objective manner and gives local boards of education more choices regarding specific versions of the Bible to be used in the curriculum. The changes also struck language mandating the teaching of specific topics and leaves decisions over selection of teachers and arrangements for monitoring the content and teaching of the course to local school boards.

“Although we would have preferred adoption of SB 437, these changes to SB 79 have made it a better representation of our original proposal to broaden students’ educational horizons while protecting their civil liberties,” said Golden, chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

SB 437 was carefully designed to respect and comply with constitutional church and state issues and U.S. Supreme Court rulings. The original proposal would authorize – but not require – public school systems to offer an elective course in Bible literacy in grades 9-12. The measure’s sponsors noted that with so many biblical references embedded throughout historical events, famous books and great works of art and music, a lack of biblical knowledge inhibits learning in core courses.

“This legislation is a good first step in the process,” Stoner said. “There are still more mandates and deadlines than we would prefer, but in the long run this is sound policy that is good for Georgia students in their preparation for college and life.”

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