45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

REQUESTING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE BIBLE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS: A FIRST AMENDMENT GUIDE AND OTHER SIMILAR GUIDEBOOKS AS STATE-APPROVED TEXTBOOKS.

WHEREAS, the supreme court has emphasized that it is permissible, 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;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state board of education review and approve The Bible and Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide and other similar guidebooks written to help public schools throughout the state achieve greater understanding of the Bible as both a reference book and as literature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state board of education report to the legislative education study committee no later than November 1, 2001 about the review and recommendation for approval of such guidebooks as state-approved textbooks; 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 for appropriate distribution to local school board members, local superintendents, principals and teachers statewide.