A huge topic of debate running through the state of Texas right now is the inclusion of Bible stories and passages being included in the required reading curriculum in grades K-12. These would be in addition to required novel readings for secondary students, pairing them up with classic novels and other short stories, speeches, and informational texts.

On one hand, this feels like a pretty hard no. Ultimately, the separation of church and state does exist for a reason; not only that, why JUST the Bible when there are other religious texts out there?

Conversely, debaters should consider that the Bible is, at the most basic level, a book full of stories, many of which are alluded to in classic and modern novels, movies, TV shows, and music.

So what’s the right answer here?