A Florida state representative introduced a bill that would require public schools to offer elective classes about the Bible.
Democratic state Rep. Kimberly Daniels brought her proposal to the Florida state legislature with the goal of ensuring every high school student has access to courses in which they can learn about the Bible.
The courses would provide students with “an objective study” of the Bible, “including, but not limited to, a course on the Hebrew Scriptures and Old Testament of the Bible; a course on the New Testament of the Bible; and a course on the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible, and the New Testament of the Bible.”
The legislation mandates that courses be offered from a neutral perspective, without condemning or promoting other religions.
“A course offered pursuant to this section may not endorse, favor, or promote or disfavor or show hostility toward a particular religion, religious perspective, or nonreligious faith,” the bill reads.
In order to notify students about the school’s biblical offerings, the bill requires the courses be listed in the district’s Course Code Directory.
If the bill makes it through the Florida legislature, it would go into effect in July 2020 ahead of the following school year.
