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Idaho Republicans are pushing a bill that would allow teachers to cite the Bible as a reference book in science classes.
The Senate Education Committee has given preliminary approval to a measure introduced by state Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll (R-Cottonwood) that would permit teachers to use the religious document “for reference purposes” in classes such as astronomy, biology and geology.
A Democratic senator questioned why the bill was necessary, because teachers are already permitted to highlight biblical allusions in history and literature, but Nuxoll said a statute was needed to highlight the Bible’s importance.
“It’s to clarify and make sure teachers know their rights,” Nuxoll said. “A lot of teachers are scared to use the Bible.”
Nuxoll’s measure resembles one adopted last year by the state’s Republican Party, which argued that the Bible should be another “tool in their tool box.”
State Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise) reminded Nuxoll that her measure might allow other religious texts to be used in schools, but the GOP lawmaker insisted the Bible […]
“…but Nuxoll said a statute was needed to highlight the Bible’s importance.” The Bible is important ONLY to those to whom it is important.
Those who propose the Bible as a book of science are uneducated in both science and Scripture. The first statement by the rabbi who taught my the Hebrew Scriptures was, “The Bible is NOT a book of science.” He continued, that Scripture was written by men, and in various genres, myth, symbol, allegory…not dictated by God as literalists propose. It is a book in which men try to articulate their faith.
This is 2016ce, not the Middle Ages.