Tennessee School Board Considers Allowing Bible as Primary Textbook

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=5487295

School Board Meets About Possible Bible Class

Questions surrounded whether the Bible should be used as a primary textbook for a class in Wilson County high schools Monday night.

The school board heard the proposal Monday night for a Bible history and literature class. They called the meeting a study session, where the school board will hear details of the proposed class to learn more about it.

The board will not vote, but will only get more information about the proposed class.

Retired engineer Terry Redmon, wants the class approved, in which the Bible would be the textbook

"The Bible was the first textbook in our educational system, and so to really be well rounded, well balanced, and well education, you need to know about the Bible," Redmon said.

Redmon started a group called "reclaiming the land with Christ." The school board scheduled a one-hour work session for him to explain what would be involved in the class that would be a high school elective

Redmon said that similar programs were already in place in 37 states, in 1,300 high schools.

"Some people aren't Christians, and this is the land of freedom of religion. We should be more tolerant," Frank Burger, who opposes the class, said. "The point is not to ace-out Christianity, or the Bible, but to be inclusive," Burger said.

Burger wrote a letter urging the school board to teach all religions, or none at all.

"There is nothing here that would make anyone uncomfortable," Redmon said.

Redman claimed the course adheres to current law, but it would be a departure from current courses. He said that no school uses the Bible as its primary textbook

The earliest time that it could be taught would be next fall, but the school board hasn't even decided when to vote on the proposal.

The official school board policy of the Wilson County school board states, "no religious belief shall be promoted by the school system or it's employees and none shall be belittled."