06 LC 33 1528
Senate
Resolution 1256
By:
Senators Cagle of the 49th, Shafer of the 48th, Pearson of the 51st, Schaefer of
the 50th and Heath of the 31st
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Study Committee on Bible Literacy Courses in Public Schools; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS,
there is an interest in offering and taking classes relating to the Bible as
literature and history; and
WHEREAS,
there is a delicate balance between offering a religiously related course in a
public school and maintaining the constitutional rights of all citizens;
and
WHEREAS,
the United States Supreme Court has provided that courses of this sort may be
offered if conducted in the following manner:
(1)
Be taught in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to
indoctrinate students as to either the truth or falsity of the biblical
materials or texts from other religious or cultural traditions;
(2)
Not include teaching of religious doctrine or sectarian interpretation of the
Bible or of texts from other religious or cultural traditions; and
(3)
Not disparage or encourage a commitment to a set of religious beliefs;
and
WHEREAS,
even though this guidance has been provided by the Supreme Court, questions
still remain unaddressed as to other aspects of offering such courses;
and
WHEREAS,
it would be in the best interests of the state to study the issue with care and
caution so that any such course can be implemented in accordance with all
constitutional requirements.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study
Committee on Bible Literacy Courses in Public Schools to be composed of five
members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Assignments.
The Senate Committee on Assignments shall designate a member of the committee to
serve as chairperson of the committee. The committee shall meet at the call of
the chairperson.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the issues
discussed above and other related matters and recommend any action or
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee
may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem
necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its
powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this
resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided
for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The
allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of
the committee for more than three days unless additional days are authorized.
The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come
from the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event the committee makes a
report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed
legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2006.
The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2006.