The Missouri Legislature is considering a bill that would allow bible classes to be offered in public schools. Please take a few moments to make your secular voice heard and ensure that Missouri students are not subjected to proselytizing.
The bill (SB 323) states that a purpose of public school bible classes is to document “the influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values and culture.” This language invites teachers to repeat myths that the bible is the source of morality and values, or that it is the basis of American democracy.
While politicians often claim that these laws are intended to teach the bible in the context of U.S. history, we know their true agenda is to abuse their access to young and impressionable children and indoctrinate them with religious orthodoxy. Besides the obvious bias in requiring classes on one specific set of religious texts and no others, public school bible classes have been tried across the country and have invariably ended up unconstitutionally promoting religion. Click here to learn more.
Bible classes are unnecessary and they open public school districts up to costly legal battles when the line between state and church is inevitably breached. The Missouri Senate Education Committee has a hearing scheduled on this bill tomorrow, March 9, at noon local time. Click on the red “Take Action” link below to contact all members of the committee and urge them to reject this bill. Feel free to use or adapt the talking points provided.
