Alabama’s public schools are a step closer to offering an elective examining the Bible and its influence on history, government, law, literature, and culture after a state senate committee approved a bill authorizing such courses earlier this week.

“The Bible has had an immense impact on every aspect of our culture,” said the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Tim Melson, R- Florence, in a statement. “It has informed our laws, our literature, and guided many of this nation’s greatest leaders.”

The details:

— The classes would be designed to “teach students about Bible characters, poetry, and narratives that are useful for understanding history and contemporary society and culture, including art, music, social mores, oration, and public policy,” according to the bill.

— Courses could be offered in grades 6-12.

— School would be allowed to display “artifacts, monuments, symbols, and texts” related to the Bible if they are related to what’s being studied.

— Teachers would be expected to remain “religious neutrality” and not show favoritism to any specific religious perspective.

The proposed courses:

— Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament of the Bible.

— The New Testament.

— Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible.

The bill now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.

@jpepperbryars is the editor of Yellowhammer News and the author of American Warfighter

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