Push on for Bibles in schools

Andrew Edwards

Huntington Beach attorney Matt McLaughlin is collecting signatures

for a state initiative that would put the King James Bible in the

hands of California public school students.

The initiative would amend the state Constitution to allow the

Bible to be taught in schools as a literature text. Religious use of

the Scriptures in classrooms would not be allowed.

But a prohibition of devotional use does not satisfy opponents of

McLaughlin’s initiative, who view the measure as a threat to the

separation of church and state.

“I don’t believe that this is something that we as a state should

be considering,” said Joyce Greenspan, executive director of the

Orange County branch of the Anti-Defamation League.

Greenspan said it would be appropriate for students to use the

Bible as a primary source in the studies, but passing around

religious texts to all students unfairly segregates those who opt out

of the program.

“You take those children who are not Christian or believe

differently than the majority and make them outsiders,” she said.

McLaughlin needs to collect nearly 600,000 signatures by May 24 to

get his initiative on the ballot. If the initiative is approved by

voters, all students enrolled in public schools would receive a free

copy of the Bible, though parents and students could decide not to

participate in the program.

McLaughlin, who attends church regularly, said the King James

translation of the Bible is more than just a Christian text and has

educational value as a major work in the development of the English

language.

“It is a Bible that was produced at a time when Shakespeare and

other great works of English literature were being produced,” he

said. “That’s when English became English.”

But McLaughlin has a long way to go. His efforts are still in

their very early stages, and the work to get signatures and funds has

only just begun.

“I think somebody gave me 10 bucks,” he said.

But McLaughlin is not alone. He has gained the support of Conquest

Ministries, an L.A.-based evangelical group that is working to

coordinate efforts on behalf of the initiative across the state.

“We feel personally we’ll get 1.2-million signatures by May 24,”

said Akeem Reinsfield, a spokesman with Conquest.

The state estimates it could cost as much as $200 million to pay

for all the Bibles needed if the measure is passed. But Reinsfield

said Conquest Ministries has already secured $35 million in pledges

to assist the state if the initiative becomes law.

The initiative does not mandate how the Bibles would be used once

they are in students’ hands.

“That’s sort of up to educators,” McLaughlin said.

But for Cynthia Clark, principal at Edison High School, passing

out a textbook without including that work in a lesson plan is not an

effective way to teach.

“As a principal, I don’t think it’s appropriate. As an English

teacher, I don’t see any reason for that,” Clark said.

Clark said it is more appropriate to use biblical texts when

combined with other materials. For example, an American literature

class could use the Bible as a source while studying Puritan

writings.

“You study the influence of religion on our development,” Clark

said.

She added that students may read the Bible or other religious

books during silent reading times at Edison.

Gary Rutherford, the superintendent of the Huntington Beach City

School District, said that although it was still too early to know

how the measure could affect his district, he is not worried about

implementing the initiative if the state votes in favor of

McLaughlin’s proposal.

“If they do it, we’ll find a way to make it work,” Rutherford

said.