Georgia House OKs Bible literacy class

A bill authorizing a Bible literacy class in public Georgia high schools was passed by the House overwhelmingly with no debate.

The class, "History and Literature of the Old and New Testament," will be taught with the Bible as the text. The bill does not require that schools teach the course, or that students take it.

House lawmakers changed the bill by taking out requirements that the New Testament courses document the parables of Jesus and the travels of Paul. The changes, which now must be approved by the Senate, make no mention of Jesus or any religious leaders.