44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT THE BIBLE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS: A FIRST AMENDMENT GUIDE AS A STATE-APPROVED TEXTBOOK.

WHEREAS, the supreme court has emphasized that it is permissable, even desirable, to teach The Holy Bible in public schools, providing the subject matter is presented objectively as part of a secular program of education; and

WHEREAS, students should be exposed to a variety of religious and secular biblical interpretations and translations; and

WHEREAS, the study of religion must be educational, not devotional; and

WHEREAS, such a course of study would not be required, but rather a curriculum elective taught from a literary, cultural or historical perspective; and

WHEREAS, a school district superintendent or school board would select a teacher for such an elective course in the same manner it selects other teachers;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state board of education examine the feasibility of adopting The Bible and Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide as a state-approved textbook; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state board of education report to the legislative education study committee immediately following the formal adoption of curriculum no later than November 1, 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state board of education, the legislative education study committee and the superintendent of public instruction.