President Donald Trump, who ascended to the presidency largely on the backs of white evangelical voters, has touted his Christian faith in the past. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo White House Trump calls Bible literacy classes in schools 'great'

President Donald Trump on Monday cheered on the controversial push to introduce Bible literacy classes to public schools.

“Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible. Starting to make a turn back? Great!” Trump said in a tweet.


Trump’s tweet came half an hour after Fox News’ “Fox & Friends" aired a segment on the subject, though his tweet is not quite accurate.

A handful of states are making pushes to introduce elective courses in schools that lawmakers say would teach the Bible in terms of its historical context, and though none have passed, critics have pointed out that such bills could blur the constitutional line separating church and state.

USA Today reported that “Bible literacy” bills of some sort have been introduced in six state legislatures across the country that “would require or encourage public schools to offer elective classes on the Bible’s literary and historical significance.” And one state, Kentucky, recently passed a law creating a framework for such classes.

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While defenders have argued that the courses would be elective and would avoid proselytizing to students, the bills appear to be the result of a coordinated push by Christian groups. Meanwhile, civil rights advocates and advocates for the separation of church and state have warned that the proposals could cross a legal line.

Trump, who ascended to the presidency largely on the backs of white evangelical voters, has touted his Christian faith in the past. He’s also filled his administration with advisers who are outspoken about their Christian faith, including Vice President Mike Pence.

The Trump administration has pursued key policies sought by evangelicals, including allowing religious nonprofits to make political contributions, restricting abortion rights, rolling back a birth control mandate and expanding school choice and voucher programs that many say would benefit private religious schools. His Justice Department has also established a task force on religious liberty aimed at shielding religious groups from discrimination.

But Trump has also committed some faith-based gaffes, even while retaining his support among evangelicals. At an appearance at Liberty University during the 2016 campaign, he mispronounced a book of the bible. Last year, he came under fire for not participating in some hymns and prayers at the funeral of President George H.W. Bush.

Trump has also admitted to making hush money payments to women alleging affairs with him while he was married to first lady Melania Trump, though he denies the affairs took place. And his campaign was nearly derailed when the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape emerged in which he appears to admit to groping women without their consent.