Texas Senate OKs bill for school Bible classes But the measure's wording is causing confusion over whether elective must be offered

AUSTIN — The Senate easily passed and sent to the governor a bill Wednesday to teach Bible classes to high school students, but lawmakers immediately disagreed on whether the measure would make the courses mandatory.

Legislative leaders differed on whether school districts may offer the religion studies course, or whether they are obligated to do so if 15 or more students sign up for it. Both "may" and "shall" show up in different sections of the House bill that the Senate passed 28-2 without changing.

Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, sponsor of the legislation in the Senate, said his legislative intent clearly is to require school districts to offer the Bible course if at least 15 students sign up for it.

However, Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston, noted that the House Public Education Committee specifically removed "shall" from the original legislation, House Bill 1287, which, he said, allows local school districts to decide whether to offer the course, intended to give students a fuller appreciation of religion's role in society.

"We'll just have to get some experts to look at it," Estes said after being told of Hochberg's interpretation of the bill.

Estes and other supporters got little disagreement from critics that people could benefit from more knowledge about Hebrew scripture, the Christian Bible and the Islamic Quran.

"People need to know both the good things and bad things that have happened in history in the name of religion," Estes said. "There's lots on both sides to go around, and an elective course like this is a wonderful forum to discuss those issues."

And it would be nearly impossible for students, he said, "to understand the writings and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." without a basic knowledge of the Bible.

Other religions

Sen. Rodney Ellis , D-Houston, asked Estes whether the legislation would obligate school districts to offer a study of the Quran if at least 15 students requested such a course.

Yes, Estes answered, explaining that non-Muslim students may want to study the impact of the Quran "because of the present problems that we have with the war on terror because of people's misrepresentation of the Quran."

Only two senators, Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, opposed the bill.

Hinojosa expressed fear that any religious study course would focus more on the Bible and Christianity than on other faiths.

And he seemed to support Estes' view that a group of 15 or more students could obligate a school district to offer a religious study course.

"Since when do we allow students to dictate to TEA (Texas Education Agency) or some school system what courses to teach?" Hinojosa asked.

Changes to original

The bill heading to Gov. Rick Perry 's desk contains several changes from the original measure, all designed to satisfy skeptics. They include:

• Specifications for teacher training and qualifications.

• Requirements for curriculum standards and an actual textbook instead of using the Bible as the textbook.

• Stronger protections for the religious freedom of students and their families.

"Today, the Senate kept safeguards in this bill that should prevent government from telling our schoolchildren what to believe about the Bible," said Kathy Miller, president of a nonpartisan organization that supports religious freedom.

"We will now join with families across the state to ensure that schools adhere to the bill's clear standards that promote respect for both the Bible and the religious freedom of all students."

gscharrer@express-news.net