"This is not about a denomination, or a religion, it's about a book," Green told Mustang school board members last November. "We will not try to go down denominational, religious-type roads."

Among the topics covered by the curriculum are the role of religion in early America, discussing the New World as a haven for those seeking to escape religious persecution. It also talks about the role of religion in art, citing the role of patrons such as the Catholic church and wealthy families during the Renaissance.

The book also uses popular culture, mentioning songs written by U2 that it says are based in the Psalms, to illustrate the Bible's modern relevance. It does not name specific compositions.

From the outset, the book describes God as eternal, "faithful and good," ''full of love" and "an ever-present help in times of trouble."

"The first pages of the Bible spotlight God's desire for justice and a just world," the second chapter says, but adds, "When humanity ignores or disobeys his rules, it has to suffer the consequences."

The course also says people should rest on the Sabbath because God did so after six days of creation. Green's stores, following the same principle, are closed on Sunday.