As long as they teach the subject objectively, it is legal for two Christian ministers to teach a high school course in Bible literature, Attorney General Robert F. Matthews ruled here. He based his opinion on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, at the request of the Ministerial Association of Harlan to offer a course in Bible literature in Harlan High School.
Mr. Matthews said study of the Bible or religion, “when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education,” was consistent with the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. The Attorney General’s opinions in Kentucky may be overruled by the courts, Harlan is about 225 miles from Louisville.
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