Bill would add Bible study at NC public schools

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Passages from the Bible could become part of the curriculum in North Carolina's public high schools under legislation proposed in the General Assembly.

The bill's primary sponsor, Sen. Stan Bingham, would allow local school boards to offer elective courses for credit on the Old Testament, the New Testament or a combination of both.

No student would be required to take the courses, but the courses would provide academic credit toward graduation. Similar religious courses offered in taxpayer-supported schools in other parts of the country have raised concerns among civil libertarians about the Constitutional separation of church and state.

The Davidson County Republican said he doesn't see a problem since the classes are voluntary. A dozen lawmakers in the GOP-controlled Senate have signed on as co-sponsors, including three Democrats.