A measure that would develop curricular standards for using the Bible in elective courses in public schools won a House panel’s approval Wednesday.

House Bill 2321 would authorize the state Board of Education to adopt guidelines for the nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible and its influence on literature, art, music, culture and politics.

Several members of the House Common Education Committee raised questions about the bill, but the measure eventually passed 12-0. It now goes to the full House.

Lealon Taylor, chief of staff for state schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett, told the committee the measure requires personnel assigned to teach the course to meet teacher certification requirements.

Bibles now can be used in public schools, he said. HB 2321 sets up curriculum requirements.

Rep. Todd Russ, the measure’s author, said, "This lays down some ground fire to back these school teachers who would like to refer to the Bible.”

The bill requires that a Bible course would be taught in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students as to either the truth or falsity of biblical materials or texts. The course would not include the teaching of religious doctrine or sectarian interpretation of the Bible.

"It’s not intended to be a study of the Bible,” said Russ, R-Cordell. "It’s intended to be an additional tool for presenting our heritage and the history of America and the value system of America and where it came from.”

The courses could be offered to students from kindergarten through high school, he said.

Russ said local school districts would decide whether to offer the coursework.

"This is not mandated by anybody,” he said. "It’s literally a local decision.”

Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, said there are 48 versions of the Bible and asked Russ which would be used. Russ said each local school district would decide what classroom materials to use.

Rep. Ed Cannaday, D-Porum, asked whether state funds would be used to pay for Bibles or biblical materials. Russ said he didn’t foresee state money being used.