Idaho Christian Lobby Pushes for Bible Reading Mandate in Public Schools
In a bold move likely to stir controversy, the Idaho Family Policy Center, a Christian lobbying group, has announced plans to introduce a bill requiring public schools to read the Bible. This initiative marks Idaho’s entrance into a broader trend among conservative states seeking to challenge long-standing legal precedents against government endorsement of religion.
According to Blaine Conzatti, president of the Idaho Family Policy Center, the bill aims to remedy societal issues that he attributes to the removal of religious practices from public education in the 1960s. Conzatti emphasized that all verses of the Bible would be read over a decade, approximately 20 verses daily, while allowing students—with parental consent—to opt out.
This proposal coincides with a conservative effort nationwide, often described as “Christian nationalism,” to integrate Christian doctrine into government policy. States like Oklahoma and Louisiana have enacted similar measures, while Texas education officials are considering Christian curriculum adoption.
Despite a supportive base from some conservative activists, the proposal’s fate in the Idaho Legislature remains uncertain. Many lawmakers have refrained from commenting, with House Majority Caucus Chair Dustin Manwaring expressing caution about potential First Amendment violations relating to church and state separation.
The push aligns with a recent shift in the U.S. Supreme Court, which has overturned or limited precedents aimed at maintaining religious neutrality in public education, raising concerns about constitutional implications. Conzatti argues that Idaho’s historical context and founding principles justify the proposal, framing it as a means to instill Christian values and promote good citizenship. As this bill prepares to emerge in the legislative arena, it promises to ignite significant debate over religious freedom and education in Idaho.
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