Utah Republican Furious Over Parent's Request to Ban Bible Using His Own Law.

Utah Republicans expressed dismay over a recent complaint filed by an anonymous parent in the Davis School District, who contested the presence of the Bible in schools under a state law that prohibits "pornographic or indecent" content. The parent claimed that the Bible is "one of the most sex-ridden books around."

The law has previously been employed to remove books by predominantly Black and LGBTQ+ authors from school libraries. The parent's complaint has reignited debate over what constitutes "pornographic or indecent" content in schools.

Utah state Representative Ken Ivory, a Republican who sponsored the bill in question, denounced the request as a political stunt that would "drain school resources." He argued that the purpose of the law was to combat sexualization and hyper-sexualization, which have been linked to sexual exploitation and abuse. He expressed disappointment that the complaint sought to belittle this serious issue and make a mockery of it.

"The Bible contains many references to incest, onanism, bestiality, prostitution, genital mutilation, fellatio, dildos, rape, and even infanticide," the parent noted. "Get this porn out of our schools. If the books that have been banned so far are any indication for far lesser offenses, this should be a slam dunk."

The ongoing controversy underscores the need for a nuanced and informed approach to issues surrounding censorship and the protection of minors in schools. It highlights the challenges faced by educators and lawmakers in balancing the need to uphold community values and standards with the need to provide a comprehensive and inclusive education.

The parent's statement references the controversial organization Utah Parents United, which has been accused of promoting racist and bigoted views. The parent further alleges that the Davis School District has a history of racism, as evidenced by a 2021 investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. The investigation found that the district had "intentionally ignored serious and widespread racial harassment in its schools" for several years.

The challenge, filed by an anonymous parent in the Davis School District, accuses the state of "ceding our children's education, First Amendment Rights, and library access to a white supremacist hate group like Utah Parents United."