Florida state legislators recently introduced a new bill that will require the school districts to offer classes on religion and the Bible in public high schools.
House Bill 195 was filed by Florida House Democrat Kimberly Daniel last week and requires “each school district to offer specified courses relating to religion, Hebrew Scriptures, and the Bible to certain students as elective courses,” WFTV 9 reports.
Some of the suggested classes include a course on "Hebrew Scriptures and Old Testament of the Bible; a course on the New Testament of the Bible; and a course on the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible, and the New Testament of the Bible."
Along with the study of the Bible, the bill states that a “brief meditation period” will also be allotted for students.
The bill stresses that teachers teaching these courses will be required to approach the subject in an objective matter as to adhere to state and federal regulations, stating that all teachers must maintain “religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of all students in the school. A course offered pursuant to this section may not endorse, favor, or promote or disfavor or show hostility toward a particular religion, religious perspective, or nonreligious faith.”
The act, which will serve as an amendment to Florida’s 1003.45, F.S. law, will take effect July 1, the bill states.
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