County Schools Ordered to Halt Bible Classes
Rhea County, which grappled with religion in the classroom when it was the site of the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925, was ordered by a federal judge to stop holding Bible classes in its elementary schools.
The classes, which have been offered in the county’s schools for 51 years, violate the constitutional separation of church and state, U.S. District Judge Allan Edgar ruled.
The 30-minute classes were held weekly for about 800 students in kindergarten through fifth grade at three schools. Students who objected were allowed to participate in alternative activities.
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