Trump backs push for Bible classes in schools
By Camilo Montoya-Galvez
/ CBS News
President Trump appeared to endorse efforts by legislators in several states to allow public schools to offer Bible classes.
"Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible. Starting to make a turn back? Great!" Mr. Trump tweeted Monday morning after "Fox and Friends" ran a segment on the topic.
Christian lawmakers in six Republican-controlled state legislatures across the country are pushing for legislation that would allow public schools to offer elective classes on the New and Old Testaments.
The push by conservative legislators in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia has stirred some controversy. Critics of the proposals, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that public school classes on the Bible would jeopardize the separation of church and state enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Alabama, Iowa and West Virginia have also considered Bible literacy bills, but all of the measures were voted down, according to the Fox News report.
But in Kentucky, Republican Gov. Matt Bevin signed legislation in 2017 to allow public school students to take Bible and Hebrew scriptures classes. A year ago, in January 2018, the ACLU of Kentucky expressed concern to the Kentucky Board of Education after an Open Records Act investigation found that many courses violated constitutional requirements that say that religious texts used in classrooms must be secular, objective and not promote any specific religious view.
The ACLU said it found "public school teachers using the Bible to impart religious life lessons" and use of Sunday school lessons and worksheets for source material. These are not academic approaches to objective study of the Bible and its historical or literary value, the ACLU pointed out.
In June 2018, the Kentucky Board of Education approved standards for the classes, but the ACLU was still worried about what was being taught in Bible literacy courses.
"Without more specific guidance, we fear some classrooms will once again be filled with preaching, not teaching," the organization wrote in a statement last August. "The ACLU-KY reminds students and parents that 'Bible Literacy' courses may not promote religion or a particular religious viewpoint, test students on matters of religious faith, nor be designed to instill religious life lessons."
"Religious education is best left to parents and churches, not school or government," the ACLU added.
Evangelicals and other Christian groups were an integral part of the president's electoral coalition during the 2016 election and have largely remained supportive of his administration — particularly because of his stance on social issues like LGBT rights and abortion, and his appointment of conservative judges to the Supreme Court.
First published on January 28, 2019
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Trump backs push for Bible classes in schools
In an early morning tweet, the president praised lawmakers trying to allow Bible classes in public schools
updated 15M ago 
Analysis: "No good choices" in talks with the Taliban
Negotiators for the U.S. and Taliban have agreed in principle on key issues
updated 13M ago 
The White House isn't ruling out another shutdown
The White House's message to federal employees? Call your Democratic member of Congress
updated 21M ago 
Army of strangers show up to honor Air Force veteran at his funeral
More than 1,000 strangers showed up to say farewell to Joseph Walker, an Air Force veteran they never met
updated 9M ago 
Several police officers shot in Houston; suspect is dead
"We have had several officers shot. Please pray for officers," Houston Police Chief Acevedo tweeted about Monday's shooting
updated 1M ago 
Trump backs push for Bible classes in schools
In an early morning tweet, the president praised lawmakers trying to allow Bible classes in public schools
updated 15M ago
The White House isn't ruling out another shutdown
The White House's message to federal employees? Call your Democratic member of Congress
updated 21M ago 
Scaramucci: Trump would survive impeachment regardless of Mueller findings
"Let's say that stuff's illegal, the president is totally tied to it. I still don't think he gets removed from office"
updated 28M ago 
CBS to air Trump interview before Super Bowl
"Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan's interview of President Trump will air Sunday on CBS
updated 55M ago 
Will Roger Stone cooperate with Mueller's Russia investigation?
Special counsel Robert Mueller charged Stone with seven counts of lying, obstruction and witness tampering
updated 20M ago 
Analysis: "No good choices" in talks with the Taliban
Negotiators for the U.S. and Taliban have agreed in principle on key issues
updated 13M ago 
Will El Chapo testify in his own defense?
Defense attorneys have raised the possibility of calling "El Chapo" as a witness
3H ago 
Pope seeks to "deflate" church sex abuse summit expectations
On his flight home from Panama, the pontiff cautioned against expecting too much from the summit on what he calls a "human problem"
8H ago 
Deadly tornado tears through Cuba's capital city
President says at least 3 killed and 174 injured as powerful storm wreaks havoc in Havana neighborhoods
8H ago
U.S. and Taliban "draft" a deal with Afghan leader on sidelines
Top American envoy confirms "draft of a framework" reached with militants, as Afghan president urges "serious talks" involving his government
11H ago 
"This Is Us" star sells Girl Scout cookies at SAG Awards
The 11-year-old earned a Screen Actors Guild Award – and a badge, too
1H ago 
Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga sing "Shallow" in surprise performance
"So, I'm gonna be a little chance-y … Yo Bradley, you wanna come up and do this one?" Gaga asked during her "Enigma" performance Saturday night at Park MGM resort
9H ago 
XXXTentacion's son born 7 months after rapper's death in Florida
Rapper's girlfriend Jenesis Sanchez gave birth Saturday to baby boy Gekyume Onfroy
22H ago 
Meet the "Sunday Morning" Sun Queen
For 20 years associate director Jessica Frank has been handpicking every shining example of sun artwork to appear on our program – about 9,000 and counting
Jan 27 
Conor Oberst, Phoebe Bridgers on keeping collaboration under wraps
"I just didn't want anybody to hear that we had a project, and know both our music and make an assumption about what it sounded like"
Jan 26 
Apple, Facebook and other tech giants face critical week
High-tech industry in the spotlight this week as investors look for signs that growth is holding up
4H ago 
Meet the man behind a third of what's on Wikipedia
Steven Pruitt has made nearly 3 million edits on Wikipedia and written 35,000 original articles — all for free
Jan 27 
Amazon facial technology shows bias, researchers say
Facial-detection technology that Amazon markets to law enforcement often misidentifies women, particularly those with darker skin, according to new research
Jan 25 
Endangered lemurs could help humans fight disease
Madagascar's lemurs could hold the key to solving human diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes, but they're at risk of being wiped out
Jan 25 
"We've entered a new era" of climate concern, survey finds
A new survey shows Americans are more convinced than ever about the impact of climate change
Jan 25 
Lowering blood pressure could cut risk of memory issues, study finds
The study looked at the effect of more intensive blood pressure control and risk of developing mild cognitive impairment
updated 18M ago 
Possible listeria contamination sparks fruit recall
Thousands of pieces of fruit recalled in 18 states because they may be contaminated with harmful bacteria listeria
5H ago 
Vaping among teens, kids "threatens five decades" of gains, experts say
American Academy of Pediatrics says 20% of high school students, 5% of middle school students use e-cigarettes, call for more federal regulation
8H ago 
Their twins' medical costs top $1 million. Can GoFundMe help?
Some 250,000 GoFundMe campaigns have been set up to raise money for people facing steep health care costs
2H ago 
State of emergency declared over Washington measles outbreak
Gov. Jay Insless said the outbreak "creates an extreme public health risk"
Jan 26 
Real estate's new price gap: Urban centers vs. burbs
Most downtown areas proved to be winners, even during the real estate crisis — and they are only getting pricier
1H ago 
As tax season begins, here's how behind the IRS is
In a "massive catch-up," the agency must deal with millions of pieces of mail — and a looming 3-week deadline
2H ago 
Caterpillar's tumble sparks a slide in U.S. stocks
The industrial bellwether's profit warning – tied to tariffs and China's slowdown – was a catalyst for Monday's drop
2H ago
Apple, Facebook and other tech giants face critical week
High-tech industry in the spotlight this week as investors look for signs that growth is holding up
4H ago
Possible listeria contamination sparks fruit recall
Thousands of pieces of fruit recalled in 18 states because they may be contaminated with harmful bacteria listeria
5H ago 
Several police officers shot in Houston; suspect is dead
"We have had several officers shot. Please pray for officers," Houston Police Chief Acevedo tweeted about Monday's shooting
updated 1M ago
Will El Chapo testify in his own defense?
Defense attorneys have raised the possibility of calling "El Chapo" as a witness
3H ago 
Wild road rage incident caught on camera
The man on the hood is grateful a fellow driver with a gun finally helped stop the SUV
9H ago 
Moving company accused of holding customers' belongings hostage
Florida attorney general has filed suit against companies that use deceptive practices, hold customers' belongings hostage
11H ago 
Man wanted in slaying of 4 in Georgia arrested in Indiana
Authorities say Daylon Delon Gamble targeted his victims but they don't know his motive
13H ago Original Article
