Part of me wonders whether anyone argued in favor of getting rid of science classes instead… but it looks like the tough economy has led to a reduction of Bible courses in Georgia public schools:
Superintendents say interest has waned in the once-controversial classes and schools don’t have the money to pay for courses with only a few students enrolled. What’s more, budget cuts mean it now takes more students to fill up a class than ever before — some classes need more than 25 enrolled before they are considered affordable.
…
Some of that drop-off is due to students having little time in their class schedules for elective courses because they have to repeat the state’s new, tougher math courses or need an Advanced Placement class to help with college admissions, educators said.
…
Senate President Pro Tem Tommie Williams, a Republican from Lyons, said he hopes cash-strapped schools can begin offering Bible classes online to help cut down on costs but keep the courses available. Williams, the most powerful state senator in Georgia, was a backer of the law when it passed in 2006.
“It is unfortunate that schools are not able to offer these classes, but when times are tough local and state government have to make decisions based on the realities of their budgets, in the same way Georgia families and business have had to do with their own budgets,” Williams said.
…
Some parents say they wish their districts had the Bible classes because children need to know how influential the text has been on literature and pop culture.
“We need to bring that back into the schools because kids now, the new generation, just has so many issues,” said Wendy Labat, whose son is an eighth-grader in Clayton County, which has never offered the Bible electives. “Whether you believe in God or not, it’s still the word of God and kids need to have that experience.”
For what it’s worth, these courses are legal, since they’re (at least theoretically) presented impartially and they’re not required. There are also plenty of good reasons to be knowledgeable about famous Bible stories, but there’s no reason you can’t just work those into a broader Mythology course. I’m sure that could happen with no controversy whatsoever…

(Thanks to Jim for the link!)
Christian Nationalist Preacher: God Will Soon ..."
Christian Nationalist Preacher: God Will Soon ..."
Christian Nationalist Preacher: God Will Soon ..."
Christian Nationalist Preacher: God Will Soon ..."