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Bible course is culture, not religion
By R.J. Palmer
March 5, 2010

FRANKFORT — The General Assembly takes its role in overseeing the state’s education system very seriously.

In recent years, we have taken several steps to encourage students to take rigorous course work that explores subject material in depth, but last week, we moved to increase the breadth of knowledge in our schools.

Senate Bill 142 would allow students to take a high school course on the historical, social, and cultural influence of the Bible. The key to the course is that it is designed to teach, not preach.

It is hard to conduct a high school literature course without studying a work with reference to the Bible, from “Paradise Lost” to “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Some of the greatest films of history have referenced the Bible, including the classic “The Ten Commandments” and modern hits like Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels & Demons.”

And, understanding any number of historical events — the Crusades, Renaissance art, the Reformation, even the Pilgrims arriving on this continent — is dependent on knowing the biblical context.

There is no doubt that the Bible, as a work of history and literature, has influenced our modern society, and understanding the Bible outside its strictly religious context can benefit students in many ways.

To make sure that the course prepares students for the wider world instead of mimicking Sunday school, there is a two-step process for implementing the plan.

First, the State Board of Education would develop guidelines on how the course would be taught, including the focus on how the Bible has influenced modern society through literature, history, and culture.

Second, each school-based decision making council would have to approve the course before it could be offered to that high school’s students.

Additionally, any course work, whether on the Old Testament, New Testament, or both, would be an elective and not required for graduation.

Students would also have their choice of books to use rather than being forced to read a particular translation of the Bible.

Another education-related subject we tackled was the growing specter of teen suicide. House Bill 51 would require every public middle school and high school to distribute suicide prevention materials to its students.

The bill goes hand-in-hand with SB 65, passed earlier this month, which would require teachers to receive training to understand the signs of a suicidal student.

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among teens, and the fourth-leading cause of death among preteens. A key to preventing suicide is knowing the signs and getting people the help they need.

The more we can help friends and colleagues recognize who is most at risk, the more we can prevent senseless tragedies.

Finally, last week, we also passed legislation to aid service members returning home from the front lines.

HB 19 would allow returning military personnel up to one year to renew their concealed-carry permits upon returning home from deployment.

There are many deadlines we take for granted as civilians, such as a driver’s license. It is much more difficult to meet those deadlines when deployed overseas for a lengthy period, so HB 19 gives these heroes the extra time to get their affairs in order when they return home.

In addition, the bill allows them to renew their permits via mail, if possible, and then receive their new permits at their duty stations rather than at their homes. It is a small convenience, but an important one for those who serve our nation so honorably.

Rep. Joseph “Eddie” Ballard, D-Madisonville, has been a champion of veterans issues since he came to the House of Representatives in 1987. We recognized the work by Rep. Ballard on behalf of veterans in Kentucky by adding his name to the Western Kentucky Veterans Center in Hanson in his honor.

We have now finished the second month of this 60-day session, so the important work of the budget will take greater precedence with each coming day. As the pace picks up, it is more important than ever to stay in touch with your elected officials in Frankfort.

As always, I urge you to call our legislative message line at 1-800-372-7181 or visit our Web site at www.lrc.ky.gov to follow our work.

You can also e-mail me personally at rj.palmer@lrc.ky.gov.

Sen. R.J. Palmer represents Clark, Bourbon, Harrison, Nicholas, Montgomery and Bath counties.

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