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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2006 > January > 18
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Buckle up, buddy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanks to former state House Speaker Tom Murphy (D-Bremen) pickup truck drivers in Georgia do not have to wear seat belts. Murphy, who despised the restraints, had the law changed to exempt pickups. Some state lawmakers having been trying ever since undo Murphy’s exemption. One group estimates that 26 deaths per year could be avoided on Georgia’s highways by pickup truck drivers and passengers buckling up. There are now bills pending in the state House and Senate to include pickup trucks in the seat belt law. Should pickup drivers and passengers be forced by law to buckle up?
Bible classes for Georgia schools?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia public school students would be allowed to study the Bible under a plan proposed by Democrats in the state Senate Wednesday.
The bill authorizes the state school board to approve an optional course that would teach about the Bible’s influence on literature, art, culture and politics.
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Tim Golden of Valdosta, chairman of the Senate’s Democratic caucus. Golden said it would allow for “nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study” of the Bible and would require it “be taught in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students.”
Sen. Doug Stoner of Smyrna, a co-sponsor of the plan, said the Bible was a major influence on works from Shakespeare’s plays to the Reverend Martin Luther King.
Civil liberties activists say there are ways to teach the Bible in public school without violating the Constitution, but that such a class would create potential problems. Maggie Garrett, legislative counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union’s chapter in Georgia, said even if the curriculum is carefully worded, a teacher could use the class as an opportunity to preach religious faith.
For more comments go to the “Chatter” blog entry of 1/19/2006
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Breaking news
Please Open Your Textbooks to John 3:16
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday proposed legislation allowing study of the Bible in Georgia public schools. But this is not your mama’s Bible study. The proposed legislation would offer an academic examination of the Bible as an important literary and historical document - and its influence on modern-day culture - in a “nonsectarian” and “nonreligious” manner. Should Georgia public school kids study the Bible - or are such teachings best left to churches and private schools? For more comments on this topic, go the the “Chatter” blog, 1/19/2006
