Bus Driver Hands Out Bibles on School Bus

Nov 27, 2002 01:42 PM EST

JACKSONVILLE, Fl.— A local school bus driver was given a letter of discipline for distributing Bibles to students on her bus. On Nov. 19, the bus driver pulled over to receive bibles from a man whom she believed was part of the school.

The man was actually from Gideon international, a group that distributes more than 56 million bibles worldwide annually.

Donna Alosa, a regional manager for the bus company commented that the Students sitting near the driver said they wanted the Bibles and she gave them out

"It all happened so fast that she didn't pay attention to what she was giving out and that was wrong," said Marsha Oliver said.

Jerry Burden, executive director of Gideons International in Nashville, Tenn., told WJXT television that the organization does not condone handing out Bibles on a public school bus.

The letter condemning the incident was placed in the driver's file but no other disciplinary actions were taken.

In reaction to the incident, the Florida Times-Union, the local newspaper wrote, "political correctness not only is alive and well, it's thriving on Florida's First Coast," denouncing the disciplinary action taken.

"It turned out that he was with Gideons International, and the books were Bibles, which some seem to think are on a par with anthrax," the editorial stated.

"One certainly doesn't force something on other people by giving them books that they requested. The mystery is why her actions were wrong."

"Young people need to read more," the editorial continued. "If parents thought it would harm their offspring to read the Bible, that's a decision they should make themselves. A school bus driver shouldn't be expected to make it for them."

By Pauline J.