Arizona bans religious books from public schools and their libraries - except the Bible

[muriel_volestrangler]

No, no 1st Amendment issues here at all:

Governor Jan Brewer signed House Bill 2563, which allows high schools to offer classes on "how the Bible has influenced Western culture," although nothing requires youngsters to take the class.

It also creates and exemption for the Bible from a law that says "all books, publications, papers and audiovisual materials of a sectarian, partisan or denominational character" are prohibited from public schools and their libraries.

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2012/04/is_arizonas_new_law_allowing_b.php

[lastlib]

1. Is there a similar exemption for the Qu'ran, or the Bhagavad Gita?

If not, uh, Phoenix, we have a problem here....

[cbayer]

3. Agree. I think there may be a good argument for having major religious documents

available for reference, but only if there is a variety representing different religions.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. No, no exemption - they explicitly allow the Bible, and nothing else

They even go into detail about how different versions of the Bible are OK.

http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/2r/bills/hb2563p.pdf

[Heywood J]

11. Well, I guess we can expect a copy of the Brick Testament there shortly. (NT)

[1monster]

2. Arizona School Libraries Card Catalog:

One entry: RUN, RUN, DICK, JANE AND SALLY, SPOT AND PUFF!

And I'm sure someone will soon introduce a bill banning that book as too controversial... Dogs, cats and girls should never be allowed to run for office.

[msongs]

5. weak religions must outlaw competition or they will die nt

[bongbong]

6. Clearly unconsitutional

But when has that stopped the fascists?

[dmallind]

7. Nah. No Christian privilege in the US at all. nt

[dimbear]

8. This is a clarion call to America's Scientologists. Finally do something useful.

Take that law for a ride. You know you've got the lawyers to do it.

[n2doc]

9. Yep. And what about the Mormons?

A lot of them in Arizona. Wonder how they feel about this?

[2ndAmForComputers]

10. Let's ask Mitt how HE feels about it.

With cameras rolling.