Idaho Republican: Bibles in public schools ruled constitutional by ‘little Supreme Court in my head

[WillParkinson]

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/03/idaho-republican-bibles-in-public-schools-ruled-constitutional-by-little-supreme-court-in-my-head/

The Idaho House of Representatives has passed legislation allowing references to the Bible in public schools in direct contradiction to the state constitution, the Spokesman-Review reports.

The bill that says use of the Bible is “expressly permitted” passed the House on Monday, even though the Idaho attorney general said such a law is “specifically prohibited” by the state’s own governing document. The Idaho Constitution says, “No books, papers, tracts or documents of a political, sectarian or denominational character shall be used.”


According to the Review, the bill’s Republican sponsor, state Rep. Sage Dixon, referred to voices in his head for approval, saying, “The little Supreme Court in my head says this is OK.”

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. That little supreme court in his head is wishful thinking.

Somewhere back in high school English we had to read Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. That is a hell fire and brimstone sermon by Jonathan Edwards who was a Puritan preacher. That sure did not help my attitude towards religion any. I remember it had sinners compared to loathsome spiders held over the fires of hell. This was in public school. Yuck.

[Hoppy]

3. I used to give a dramatic reading of that to my students.

[Jim Lane]

5. We read Edwards, too, and I think that should be legal.

In a different class we read something from the Bible -- I think it was a story from the Book of Ruth.

Studying literature isn't proselytizing, even if the literature is religious. The Idaho ban goes too far.

That said, of course, the Idaho Constitution does govern. It's not in conflict with the First Amendment for the state to make that decision about what will be taught in its public schools. This nitwit legislator has an obligation to follow the law, not the voices in his head.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. Yes, he does.

They act like they can't teach bible stuff as part of a secular course in English or anthropology or history.

I'm sure I had to read other religious things in public school. At music camp, we sang religious music like the Mozart Requiem in Latin. Just because it was good stuff. Nobody cared what religion anybody was.

[Jim Lane]

7. That Idaho Constitution provision is pretty sweeping.

You write:

They act like they can't teach bible stuff as part of a secular course in English or anthropology or history.

Teaching Bible stuff in such a secular course would be a sensible rule but it's apparently not the Idaho rule. Per the linked article:

The Idaho Constitution says, “No books, papers, tracts or documents of a political, sectarian or denominational character shall be used.”

I read that as saying that students could be assigned to read something about religious revivals in colonial America but could not be assigned to read Edwards's sermon itself, let alone any excerpts from the Bible.

The ban even includes material of a "political" character. That means they couldn't read Washington's "Farewell Address" or King's "I Have a Dream" speech or a host of other important documents. My guess is that the provision isn't strictly enforced.

[mr blur]

2. No, that would be the little theocrat in his head. (nt)

[Hoppy]

4. ---or the little head that he holds in his hand.

[Curmudgeoness]

8. Used to be

that people were institutionalized when they started talking about the voices in their head. Today, they make laws. Are you as afraid of this trend as I am?????

[AlbertCat]

9. Does this mean I could bring a Bible to school....

..... and tear pages out of it, draw in it, and burn it?

I hope so!