Initiative Effort OKd to Allow Bible as a Literature Textbook

An Orange County man received the go-ahead from state officials Monday to begin gathering signatures for a ballot initiative that would authorize the use of the Bible as a textbook in literature classes.

If Matt McLaughlin can collect 598,105 valid signatures by May 24, voters would then decide whether to amend California's constitution to allow the voluntary use of the Authorized or King James Version Bibles for classes in grades 1 through 12, according to Secretary of State Kevin Shelley's office.

McLaughlin did not return calls seeking comment, but Shelley's office described the proposed study as "without devotional or denominational purpose." Under the initiative, Bibles would be distributed free to every public school student, unless parents objected.

Launching the project would cost the state and local school districts about $200 million, according to legislative analysts.