MUSTANG, Okla. – Some are calling for the Bible to be taught in one metro school, but others are saying it violates the separation of church and state.
After an interview on cable news, Oklahoma State Senator Kyle Loveless was called a religious terrorist.
It’s because of a bill aiming to protect Mustang schools from lawsuits over a class about the Bible.
“Before the curriculum was even finalized, the folks that were against it were already threatening lawsuits,” Loveless said.
Although the class would be an elective focusing on the literary and historical content of the Bible, groups like Americans United spoke out against it saying it violates the separation of church and state.
With only about 20 seats available, Loveless says nearly 200 hundred students wanted to take the class.
“I think you should have the option to do it if you want to,” said student Krystin Hurst. “If you wanted to do Bible study and there was an interest for you, then I don’t see why you couldn’t do it.”
Attorney J.P. Hill who also holds a divinity degree said it would be very difficult for opponents to win the lawsuits they threatened.
“It’s hard to show that there is harm when no student is being forced to take the class,” Hill said.
But Brady Henderson with the ACLU says it’s a fine line.
“As long as the school is teaching about the Bible, but not teaching the religion the Bible has within it, they’re never going to run a foul of a constitutional problem. It’s when you cross that line that things get difficult,” Henderson said.
He said it’s similar to the difference between teaching a cultural lesson about the Twelve Tribes of Israel versus Jonah and the Whale which is more faith-based teaching.
District officials said they will only add the class if they could review the course completely and secure legal counsel in case someone does sue.
