Last Friday, State Representative Sheila Butt (R-Columbia) introduced a bill that seeks to revise the current standards and format of how religion is taught in Tennessee's public school system.

"Tennessee HB1418 is neutral on its face as to the specific subject matter it addresses," said Butt. The bill is intended to prompt an open and rational discussion about the appropriate timing and weight of teaching religion in a student's education. No one specific religion is mentioned in the bill."

On Monday, the nation's largest Muslim advocacy organization, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), called Butt an Islamaphobe and said her bill was full of bigotry and fear.

"Predictably, groups whose only objective is to prevent full and open discussion of these issues has begun its campaign of using the same old tired canards and accusations. Quite frankly, name calling adds no intelligence and has no relevance to this discussion. Furthermore, it does nothing to 'improve relations'," said Butt. "I believe that Tennessee citizens are smarter than that and welcome the opportunity to participate in a reasoned and objective debate on these issues as we try
to determine what is in the best interest of Tennessee students."

HB 1418:

Education, Curriculum - As introduced, prohibits the state board from including religious doctrine in the curriculum standards for grades prior to grades 10 through 12. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10.