Idaho's current legislature, deemed more extreme than its predecessor, has proposed a bill mandating daily Bible readings in public schools over a decade. Sponsored by Rep. Jordan Redman, the measure allows teachers and students to opt-out based on personal conscience, yet creates avenues for lawsuits against schools failing to enforce the law. This initiative, backed by the Idaho Family Policy Center, aims to instill morality and good citizenship within the educational framework, yet raises concerns about violating the principle of church-state separation, challenging the notion of a secular education.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d'Alene, would require verses of the Bible to be read daily, without comment, in all occupied classrooms at public schools, ensuring the entire Bible is read over a 10-year period.
Parents and other members of the public could sue if they believed the law was not being enforced, creating a potential environment for legal disputes surrounding enforcement and participation.
This bill seeks to cultivate morality and encourage good citizenship, according to Redman, reflecting Idaho's contentious approach towards intertwining religion and education.
The Idaho Family Policy Center, a Christian lobbying group, has been influential in drafting state laws that reflect their religious values, including previous legislation limiting abortion and transgender rights.
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