Virginia lawmaker proposes bill requiring Bible classes in high schools

A Virginia lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require high schools in the Commonwealth to offer classes teaching the Bible as an elective.

, introduced by Del. Charles W. Carrico, who represents Virginia's 40th District, would require schools to offer the class as an elective in grades 9 through 12.

The class would teach students on the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament of the Bible or the New Testament of the Bible or a combined course on both.

According to SB 1502, the purpose of the class would be 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 text of the bill prohibits students from being required to use a specific translation of religious text and states that the courses "shall not endorse, favor, promote, disfavor, or show hostility toward any particular religion or nonreligious perspective."

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Education and Health.

A virtually identical bill was

last year and sent to the education committee, which it never left.