FARMINGTON, Utah — The King James Version of the Bible has been removed from many Davis School District schools after a committee found it contained "vulgarity and violence."
A district review committee recently decided to pull the Bible from all schools other than at the high school level. According to a district spokesperson, the committee actually determined the book "does not contain sensitive material as defined by Utah Code," but still pulled it from certain schools because of age appropriateness.
Back in March, FOX 13 News's content-sharing partners at the Salt Lake Tribune obtained a parent’s petition, who wrote, "Utah Parents United left off one of the most sex-ridden books around: The Bible. You’ll no doubt find that the Bible has ‘no serious values for minors’ because it’s pornographic by our new definition."
According to a district spokesperson, the committee actually determined the book "does not contain sensitive material as defined by Utah Code," but still pulled it from certain schools because of age appropriateness.
After the review, the Bible was pulled from an estimated 7-8 elementary and junior high schools that had the book on library shelves.
The committee's decision has already been appealed by someone who wants to see the Bible returned to all schools. An appeals committee will now rule on whether the book will be returned to all libraries.
A 2022 law passed by the Utah State Legislator banned sensitive material in schools. Since it's passage, dozens of books have been banned across several state school districts.
"When many groups characterize this as banning books, that really is an attempt to simply, you know, hyperbolize what's going on, we're simply, clarifying age-appropriate limits," said Rep. Ivory.
Since its passage, dozens of books have been banned across several state school districts.
With the law now in place, if a parent makes a formal request, schools have to remove any books that contain:
- Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal
- Acts of human masturbation or sexual intercourse
- fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals or pubic region
In March, FOX 13 News spoke with Michele Edgley, President of the Utah Educational Library Media Association.
“I don't think that most parents have either the right or the knowledge of the student bodies to be banning books for the entire school," said Edgley.
Rep. Ivory says he applauds the review committee's decision.
"Their determination to limit the age appropriateness of the Bible should set a standard," said Rep. Ivory.
A district spokesperson says the bible is not taught as part of the curriculum.
"The Bible has always been best studied around the fireplace by the families where, you know, parents can give context to the warnings and the teachings that are in the Bible," said Rep. Ivory.
The committee's decision has already been appealed by someone who wants to see the Bible returned to all schools.
An appeals committee will now rule on whether the book will be returned to all libraries.
