Orange County Atheists

Atheist Group Commends Huntington Beach School District In Not Pursuing 'Bible As Literature' Class

Santa Ana, Calif., May 9, 2007 - The Huntington Beach Union High School District made the correct choice in not supporting a proposal to start a "Bible as Literature" class, an Atheist civil rights organization said today.

The district, which had considered scheduling discussion on the topic after a proposal at their April 10 meeting, decided not to proceed, citing a general lack of interest and support.

Orange County Atheists president Michael Doss applauded the decision, saying "Huntington Beach Union chose wisely in not pursuing the matter. No one doubts the influence of the bible on much of western literature, but classes like this are too often used as an inroads for sectarian instruction in public schools."

"Bible as Literature" and similar classes are allowed in California public schools, provided they keep the discussion academic and don't teach one particular religious belief as true or superior to another. This is where the problem comes in, according to Doss.

"Many of the groups providing textbooks and coursework for these kinds of classes, such as the National Council On Bible Curriculum In Public Schools, have a very specific agenda, and that is to get the bible into the classroom, even in a secular manner," Doss said. "Without a level of oversight that's nearly impossible on the high school level, there's no way to know that the class isn't being taught with a 'Christians first' message."

Doss also played down the frequent calls of an "atheist" or "liberal" conspiracy to keep the bible out of schools, saying the bible and Christianity are welcome, as long as the influence is kept secular.

Contrary to the teachings of many mainstream Christian groups, there are no restrictions on mentioning God or the bible in public schools, as long as the message remains non-sectarian. Students are still allowed to discuss the bible with teachers and peers, and teachers can freely discuss a piece of literature's biblical influences.

"The only major restrictions on faith in schools are compulsory prayers and the school favoring one religion over another," Doss said, "and the courts have found this to be the correct course of action, time and time again."

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY ATHEISTS

Orange County Atheists, founded in 2005, is a civil rights and social issues group headquartered in Santa Ana, California. The group exists to further the issue of church-state separation and as a social outlet for atheists, agnostics, humanists and freethinkers. The group's website is www.ocatheists.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS

For more information, please contact:
Travis Puderbaugh, Media Contact
travis@ocatheists.com

Posted by mikebdoss at May 9, 2007 02:26 PM