Paul's Travels
Apostle Paul Founder of Christianity

Board to appeal ruling to end Bible classes

The Associated Press 2/16/02

CHATTANOOGA - Rhea County school board members voted unanimously Thursday night to appeal a federal judge's ruling that ordered an end to Bible classes that had been taught for 51 years in the county's public schools. "The judge cited areas we can fix to bring the program within the guidelines of the law; however, these changes would water down the content of the message," board member Bruce Majors told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "We can tell the Bible classes have been taught in county 's schools for 51 years Bible as history or allegory. But what we want is to teach our children that the Bible is the truth. Our only course is an appeal."

About 300 residents attended the meeting at Rhea Central Elementary School to hear the boards decision following last Friday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Allan Edgar. He said the classes violate the First Amendment because school officials acted with both purpose and effect to endorse and advance religion in the public schools." "It has never been held that there is a ban on all religious activity in public schools," the judge wrote.

"For example, a student may voluntarily pray at school. Also, religious organizations may use public school facilities under some circumstances." But the government, he wrote, "may not teach, or allow the teaching of a distinct religious viewpoint." A couple with two children attending the schools had challenged the Bible classes. Their identities have not been disclosed. A branch of the Freedom From Religion Foundation a nonprofit First Amendment advocacy organization, was also a plaintiff.

The 30-minute classes were taught by students from Bryan College, a private Christian college in Dayton. They were held weekly for about 800 kindergarten through fifth-grade students in the county's three elementary schools. Parental consent was not required and students were allowed to participate in alternative activities if they objected to the classes.

Rhea County school Superintendent Sue Porter said she wanted a trial to show that the classes include "character education But the plaintiffs asked the judge for a ruling before the scheduled Feb. 19 trial and Edgar granted the request. While most in 'attendance Thursday night supported the boards decision, there were some who didn't. "I don't think it is the job of public schools to teach religion. said resident Barrett Bishop.

Deep attachment to religion has gotten attention before in Dayton, a rural town about 40 miles north of Chattanooga.