The Arizona House on Tuesday passed a bill to allow schools to offer a course on the Bible's influence on American history and culture.

House Bill 2563, sponsored by Rep. Terri Proud, R-Tucson, allows public and charter schools to offer a high-school elective called "The Bible and Its Influence on Western Culture." The course must address the influence of the Old and the New Testaments on laws, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values and culture.

The bill passed the House 42-15. It now goes to the Senate.

The House debate was passionate.

"This bill was first introduced in 2006 in Alabama by a Democrat," Proud said. "This isn't about being Republican. This is about America."

House Minority Leader Chad Campbell, D-Phoenix, said the bill, if it becomes law, will face a constitutional challenge. "And I believe we are going to lose," he said.

Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Tempe, voted for the bill after unsuccessfully proposing an amendment to also allow schools to teach a course on the Book of Mormon's influence on Western culture.

"I truly believe that allowing the Bible to be taught in our public high schools will have an unintended effect," he said. "Students that read Scripture and understand the mandates that it asks us will gravitate toward the Democratic Party."

Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson, voted no. He said the Legislature has better things to do.

"Our schools need more funding," he said. "We should not be pushing what I see as an intrusion of America's founding liberties of separation of church and state."

Rep. Doris Goodale, R-Kingman, voted for the bill.

"School districts are not required to implement this course. It is a choice that will be made by each school district," she said.

"And this is not a study in religion. It is a cultural exploration."