Sobriquet 27.3: Kentucky Schools Ban "Infidel" Books
Frank Lockwood of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports that Kentucky state law prohibits the teaching of "sectarian, infidel, or immoral doctrine." Interestingly, "[t]he state's book ban does not apply to the Bible" since "Kentucky courts have ruled that the Christian and Hebrew scriptures are not sectarian." In fact, Kentucky "[s]tate law requires teachers to read the Bible to their students and allows educators to observe a moment of silence at the start of the school day." Needless to say, trouble is a-brewing.
Several people, understandably, have found the word infidel problematic. Defined as "one who holds no religious beliefs," the term has rankled Christians, Muslims, and atheists alike. Simply put, the terms of the law are vague enough to allow for parents to push certain classic books off school library shelves.
Though "highly vulnerable to First Amendment attack," the prohibitive language was preserved by lawmakers as recently as 1990, when the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 was put into place.
This promises to float around the headlines for a while...stay tuned.
Several people, understandably, have found the word infidel problematic. Defined as "one who holds no religious beliefs," the term has rankled Christians, Muslims, and atheists alike. Simply put, the terms of the law are vague enough to allow for parents to push certain classic books off school library shelves.
Though "highly vulnerable to First Amendment attack," the prohibitive language was preserved by lawmakers as recently as 1990, when the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 was put into place.
This promises to float around the headlines for a while...stay tuned.
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