Number of Schools Using Landmark Public School Textbook, 'The Bible and Its Influence,' Has Doubled in the Second Year

The acclaimed new public high school textbook, "The Bible and Its Influence," ( www.bibleliteracy.org) praised in TIME magazine's April 2nd cover story, has this fall--its second school year available--doubled the number of schools using the course to 160 schools in 34 states.

"This dramatic growth is due in part to several positive developments," said Chuck Stetson, chairman of the Bible Literacy Project, which publishes the textbook. Stetson cited the recent TIME magazine cover story "Why We Should Teach the Bible in Public Schools," in which TIME reporter David Van Biema writes "[Public school Bible electives] should have a strong accompanying textbook on the model of 'The Bible and Its Influence.'"

The Winter 2007 "Baylor Law Review" concludes that "The Bible and Its Influence" "clearly conforms to constitutional standards" and recommended its adoption by public schools. "The Bible and Its Influence" has been endorsed by leaders from the First Amendment Center, the American Jewish Congress, the National Association of Evangelicals, and the Catholic Biblical Association. Prior to publication, the textbook was reviewed by 40 scholars of law, English literature, and secondary education, representing the Catholic, Jewish, Evangelical, mainline Protestant, and Orthodox faiths.

"In addition, legislation supporting high school academic Bible electives passed in Georgia in 2006 and in Texas and South Carolina in June 2007, has also created considerable statewide interest," said Stetson. "This is only the start of what will be a major new trend across the nation," commented Stetson, who noted research funded by the John Templeton Foundation that only 8 percent of schools were offering academic, non -devotional courses on the Bible, although it has always been legal. The goal of the Bible Literacy Project is to provide the safeguards and curriculum with a goal that 80 percent of the nation's high schools will offer a constitutionally sound Bible elective, respectful of students of all faiths (and none).