Tiffany Benson, founder of Restore Parental Rights in Education, said that the Bible should be included in classrooms as a historical text alongside America’s founding documents. This statement was made on the Grand Canyon Times Podcast.
“I do think that the Bible should be treated as one of our founding documents,” said Benson, Education Activist Podcast Host. “From a historical perspective, the Bible should be read along with the Constitution and declaration of independence. Those are our founding documents, and every student should be learning them.”
Arizona allows elective high school classes that study the “History and Literature of the Biblical Era,” focusing on the Bible’s influence on history, law, and culture. According to the Arizona Department of Education and state law A.R.S. § 15-717.01, these courses must be offered as electives, taught academically, not require a specific translation, and cannot impose religious tests. This reflects ongoing debates over religion in schools.
Several states have recently passed laws permitting public schools to offer elective Bible or religious history courses. Fox News reports that Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia have advanced “Bible literacy” legislation requiring these courses to be academic, non-sectarian, and voluntary. These efforts highlight a broader national trend of reintroducing religious texts into school curricula under constitutional guidelines.
Arizona’s broader social studies standards cover civics, history, economics, and geography but do not mandate Bible instruction. The Arizona Department of Education’s History and Social Science Standards specify that religious texts may only be referenced in historical context. The elective Bible-era course provides a structured option for deeper analysis to ensure biblical study remains optional rather than part of the core curriculum.
Benson is an Arizona education activist and commentator who founded “Restore Parental Rights in Education.” According to the Arizona Daily Independent, she writes opinion pieces, speaks at school board meetings, and produces podcast content focused on faith, parental oversight, and ideological issues in public education. Her activism emphasizes family choice and civic engagement in schooling.
