In West Virginia, a popular Bible class is in jeopardy of being canceled because of two complaints sent in from an atheist group in Wisconsin.
For decades, Mercer county public schools have offered a weekly Bible class during the school day — 30 minutes at the elementary level and 45 minutes in middle school. The program is not mandatory, but almost every child in the district attends. And there is widespread support for the classes: Parents and community members help raise nearly $500,000 a year to pay for the Bible in the Schools program.
Now Bible in the Schools is facing a stiff legal challenge. Two county residents with school-age children argue in a lawsuit that the program violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment and the West Virginia constitution.
Filed in January and amended last month by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the suit charges that the Bible class “advances and endorses one religion, improperly entangles public schools in religious affairs and violates the personal consciences of nonreligious and non-Christian parents and students.”
Supporters are adamant that the weekly class is an elective meant to explore the history and literature of the Bible, not to promote religious belief.
Courtney Tolliver, a teacher in the district, agrees saying, “It’s not teaching religion, but it teaches character and respect and how important it is to tell the truth. The kids love it and the ones who don’t participate aren’t made to feel left out.”