Local Baptists, who firmly believe we are fighting to take back the world from the *heathens, are rejoicing today over the passage of Tennessee House Bill 4089.
The bill authorizes the state board of education to develop and adopt a curriculum for a state-funded elective course consisting of a nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible and its influence on literature, art, music, culture, and politics.
The course must be taught in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students as to either the truth or falsity of the biblical materials or texts from other religious or cultural traditions.
The legislation sponsored by Rep. Mark Maddox, a Dresden Democrat, was approved 93-3 on Tuesday. The companion bill unanimously passed the Senate last week. Both chambers must now work out differences in the legislation before it heads to the governor for his consideration.
