19 SEP 06: THE GOOD BOOKS

Maybe the Muscogee County School Board came up with the wrong combination Monday night. Maybe members should have bought 2,710 new Bibles - to find out once and for all how conservative the current U.S. Supreme Court is.

But no, the Muscogee County School Board didn't do that. It voted 7-2 Monday night to allow the teaching of elective high school courses about the Bible. They'll teach about the Bible in history and literature - but not in music, because choir teachers sneak that part in during Christmas programs.

Assistant Superintendent Robin Pennock says the elective courses will focus on the Bible as "a document, not a sacred text." So it's a bit like the way many high school students treat their "alma mater" song....

Robin Pennock assured the Monday evening news the goal of the Bible elective courses is "not to indoctrinate" students. The firebrand preachers who want that to happen will have two options - put tracts on high school student's windshields, or move to Iran.

But not every member of the Muscogee County School Board was ready to approve a Bible elective. Joseph Roberson wanted the vote postponed -- yes, Pastor Joseph Roberson of South Columbus United Methodist Church, and "Getting on Top of Life" radio. Maybe he's concerned about other members standing on top of Bibles, to win reelection.

Joseph Roberson explained he wanted a vote delayed until the Georgia Board of Education develops a curriculum for teaching Bible courses. Now hold on -- who says you need a curriculum for such things? Some church pastors get into their pulpits, and say whatever they think the Holy Spirit is instructing them.

It turns out the lack of a state curriculum will mean Bible elective courses won't be offered in Muscogee County until next school year. The Georgia Board of Education hopes to have a curriculum ready by February 1 - as soon as it decides whether or not to open such discussions with a prayer.

Joseph Roberson also wants a "citizens' panel" appointed to oversee how the Bible is taught in Muscogee County high schools, and who is teaching it. A vote on that is planned at the October meeting. If panel members start calling themselves disciples, look out....

Brenda Storey voted with the school board majority for a Bible elective. She says such courses in high school will add to a teenager's "depth of knowledge." But we won't really know for sure, unless someone develops a new version of the S.A.T. - the Scripture Aptitude Test.

But board member Patricia Hugley Green sees potential trouble down the road, with allowing the Bible as an elective high school course. She fears a lot of lawsuits are coming - and based on the federal trial I covered last year, they won't use a Bible to swear in any witnesses.

I have my own question about the Bible courses, but in a very different direction. What if Muslims want elective courses based on the Koran? If the school board or state legislature turns them down, wouldn't that become a religious discrimination suit? And let's not forget those Wiccans who love Harry Potter....

Meanwhile, the Muscogee County School Board also approved almost $150,000 to replace almost 2,700 missing textbooks. I fear some students are getting a very wrong message from this - but enough about Monday night's fire at Eddy Middle School....

E-MAIL UPDATE: One of the messages we posted Monday receives a follow-up on Tuesday:

Brent pointed out missed fees from the landfill and installment fines (not sure what that was referencing).

Don't forget about the alarm permit fees and threats to charge for non-emergency calls from alarms.

Really enjoy the blog

Bruce

Thank you for pointing out one part of the e-mail we did NOT point out. Sometimes, even humor bloggers get stumped for good jokes about landfills.

Is Bruce suggesting the city of Columbus isn't keeping track of how many false alarms public safety workers answer - so potential fines are being lost? There's a simple way to back-check that. Simply ask the annoyed neighbors how many happened.

Now for other short shots from an occasionally stormy Monday:

+ Kohl's began airing TV commercials announcing its Columbus grand opening will be Thursday, October 5. I'm assuming the department store already cleared this date with the Northern All-Stars Little League team....

+ WLGA-TV 66 began airing shows from the new CW network. They include shows which used to appear on WBG-15, from "The Daily Buzz" to "Will and Grace." What will NBC-38 do with that cable channel - show Al Fleming commentaries around the clock?

(WLGA has gone all-out for "The CW." To borrow from sportswriting legend Red Smith: When it's 11:30 at night and "Sex and the City" has replaced faith-healing Pastor Leroy Jenkins, a revolution has occurred in Columbus television.)

+ A maintenance worker with the Bainbridge, Georgia Housing Authority claimed last Friday's Mega Millions jackpot. After taxes, he'll take home $66 million - and hopefully before he quits that job, he'll buy a fleet of nice new lawnmowers for whomever replaces him.

+ Instant Message to Saint Luke United Methodist Church: Just so I'm clear - what is "The MC?" Is that your Ministry Center? Is it hip shorthand for Methodist Church? Or has M.C. Hammer been hired as a youth pastor?

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gasoline falls to $2.24 a gallon at Spectrum, Fourth Street and Second Avenue.... milk for $2.50 a gallon at Publix (probably ending today).... FREE music video shoot at 6:00 p.m. ET tonight at Cascade Hills Church (200 volunteers needed; no Bible verses to memorize)....

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