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A Southwest Virginia senator’s effort to have students learn more about the Bible has cleared another hurdle.

Senate Bill 1502 from Sen. Bill Carrico, R-Grayson, would allow school boards in the state to offer a high school elective course on the Old Testament and the New Testament. The House of Delegates Education Committee approved the bill in a 13-9 vote on Wednesday.

The bill would require the Virginia Board of Education to develop learning standards and curriculum guidelines for the courses. The courses aim “to introduce students to biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy.”

The bill says any such course must follow state and federal laws and guidelines “in maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of enrolled students.”

The courses could not “endorse, favor, promote, disfavor, or show hostility toward any particular religion or nonreligious perspective.”

“This is dealing specifically with Bible Scripture,” Carrico said Wednesday.