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its own decision on whether to add an elective Bible course, and if so, what text and curriculum to use. The Associated School Boards of South Dakota, a group that represents the local school districts, is making no recommendation to districts on whether to adopt such curriculum, executive director Wade Pogany said.
• South Dakota became the sixth state to pass some kind of measure encouraging the academic study of the Bible in public schools, following Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
• The resolution, which does not have the force of law, urges public schools to provide instruction that makes students familiar with the content, character and narratives of the Bible and makes them aware of the role the Bible has played in the development of literature, art, culture and public discourse.
• Hickey and other supporters said students need to be familiar with the Bible be

cause it influences all aspects of Western civilization, including the English language. For example, the patience of Job refers to the title character in the Old Testament's Book of Job, who suffered many misfortunes without wavering in his faith in God.
• Other examples include "old as Methuselah," which refers to a man said to have lived 969 years, and "prodigal son," which refers to the story of a son who was welcomed back by his father after leaving home and squandering his wealth in wild living.

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