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Elementary and Middle Schools in Utah District Prohibit Bible Due to Concerns of Vulgarity or Violence

by Michael Nguyen
4 comments
Bible ban in Utah schools

Utah District Excludes Bible from Elementary and Middle Schools Citing Vulgarity or Violence Concerns

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A suburban district in Utah has made the decision to prohibit the Bible from being included in elementary and middle schools due to a parent’s complaint regarding certain verses being considered too vulgar or violent for young children. The Davis School District, which serves 72,000 students north of Salt Lake City, conducted a review of the scripture in response to the complaint and subsequently removed the Bible from those grade levels, while still allowing it in high schools. This action follows a state law implemented in 2022, which mandates parental involvement in determining materials classified as “sensitive content,” resulting in the removal of other titles such as “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie and “Looking for Alaska” by John Green.

Chris Williams, a spokesperson for the district, stated that all book review requests are treated equally and handled by a committee comprised of teachers, parents, and administrators. The committee’s decision-making process is based on input from the predominantly conservative community, where a majority of residents belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The committee’s rationale or specific verses found to be excessively violent or vulgar in the Bible were not elaborated upon in their published decision within an online database of review requests.

This development coincides with a broader trend of conservative parent activists, including state-based chapters of the group Parents United, raising concerns about discussions of sex and violence in schools. However, the identity of the individual who requested the Bible ban in Davis schools and any potential affiliation with larger groups remains unknown, as the district invoked a privacy policy in refusing to disclose that information.

According to a copy of the complaint obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune through a public records request, the parent who filed the complaint noted instances of incest, prostitution, and rape in the Bible. The complaint criticized the district for what it deemed a “bad faith process” and accused it of relinquishing children’s education, First Amendment rights, and library access to Parents United.

The review committee determined that the Bible did not meet Utah’s criteria for being considered pornographic or indecent, which is why it remains accessible in high schools. Williams explained that under the new state law enacted in 2022, the committee possesses the authority to make its own decisions and has employed different standards based on students’ ages in response to various challenges.

An appeal was filed by an anonymous party on Wednesday.

While most members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints read the Bible alongside other scriptures such as the Book of Mormon, the latter has not faced any challenges within the Davis School District.

The Bible has frequently appeared on the American Library Association’s list of most challenged books and was temporarily removed from shelves in school districts in Texas and Missouri last year.

Controversies regarding policies that could potentially encompass the Bible have often arisen during debates over book banning procedures in state legislatures. This includes Arkansas, where a law was enacted this year that imposes criminal penalties on librarians for providing “harmful” materials to minors and introduces a new process for the public to request the relocation of materials within libraries.

Arkansas Democratic state Senator Linda Chesterfield voiced her concern during a hearing, stating, “I don’t want people to be able to say, ‘I don’t want the Bible in the library.'”

Parents advocating for increased involvement in their children’s education and control over curriculum and materials argue that they should have the authority to determine how subjects such as gender, sexuality, and race are taught.

EveryLibrary, a national political action committee, reported last month that it is monitoring at least 121 different proposals introduced in legislatures this year that target libraries, librarians, educators, and access to materials.

What is the reason behind the ban on the Bible in elementary and middle schools in the Utah district?

The ban on the Bible in elementary and middle schools in the Utah district is due to concerns raised by a parent regarding certain verses being deemed too vulgar or violent for younger children. As a result, a committee reviewed the scripture and made the decision to remove it from those grade levels while still allowing it in high schools.

Are there other books that have been removed from schools in the Utah district?

Yes, besides the Bible, other books such as “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie and “Looking for Alaska” by John Green have also been removed from schools in the Utah district. This action follows a state law that requires parental involvement in determining materials considered “sensitive content.”

Who is involved in the decision-making process to ban books?

The decision-making process to ban books in the Utah district involves a committee composed of teachers, parents, and administrators. This committee reviews book review requests and makes decisions based on input from the community, which is predominantly conservative with a majority of residents belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

What criteria were used to determine if the Bible was considered vulgar or violent?

The review committee in the Utah district used Utah’s criteria to determine if the Bible was considered vulgar or violent. However, the committee did not provide specific details about which verses were found to be overly violent or vulgar in their published decision.

Can the decision to ban the Bible be appealed?

Yes, an appeal can be filed regarding the decision to ban the Bible. In the case of the Utah district, an unnamed party filed an appeal after the ban was implemented. The process of the appeal and its outcome may vary depending on the specific procedures and policies of the district.

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4 comments

BookLover23 June 2, 2023 - 9:14 pm

It’s really important to have a balanced approach when it comes to sensitive content in schools. I understand the concerns, but completely banning the Bible seems extreme. Let’s find a way to foster dialogue and understanding instead.

Reply
Reader2023 June 2, 2023 - 9:14 pm

I think it’s a good idea to involve parents in decisions about what their children are exposed to at school. However, removing the Bible altogether seems like an overreaction. Maybe there could have been a compromise or alternative solution?

Reply
ProudParent77 June 2, 2023 - 9:14 pm

As a parent, I want my children to have access to a diverse range of literature, including religious texts. It’s a shame that this decision might limit their exposure to different perspectives and ideas. Education should be about expanding knowledge, not restricting it.

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OpinionatedReader June 2, 2023 - 9:14 pm

This is just another example of censorship and control. If we start banning books based on individual complaints, where does it end? We need to teach children critical thinking and let them make their own informed decisions, rather than sheltering them from different viewpoints.

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