also qualify for elective credits, which
they need for graduation, if the school
permits.
Note: “Since its inception in
1914, millions of students from
kindergarten through high school
have participated. Currently, it is
estimated over 250,000 students
participate. The U.S. Supreme
Court has upheld Released Time as
protected by the Constitution of the
United States” (www.releasedtime.
org).
Many different religions have taken
advantage of the program through
the years. The Mormon church calls
their off-campus classes “seminaries.”
This everyday discipleship model has
accelerated their growth in Utah. Few
in Georgia even know the program
exists.
46 Toombs County Magazine
TCM: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE RELEASED TIME
EDUCATION ACT AND THE BILL
SPONSORED BY TOMMIE WILLIAMS,
FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER,
THAT PASSED IN 2007 AND ALLOWS
GEORGIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO OFFER
BIBLE AS AN ELECTIVE?
GADY: Many Georgia high schools
haven’t taken advantage of this law
because of budget cuts. In addition,
a teacher has to have 12 credit hours
at a college level in Biblical studies
to teach the class. Even if you go to
Brewton-Parker College, a private
Christian college, and get a degree in
education, the core requirement for
Biblical studies is only nine hours.
Instructors for off-campus religious
classes offered through the Released
Time Education Act do not have such
requirements.
Note: Gady has a bachelor in
Psychology and Christian Studies and
is currently working on his master’s
in Christian education. He is also an
ordained minister.
Each of Georgia’s 180 school
systems can decide whether or not to
offer one of the two elective courses:
The History and Literature of the Old
Testament Era and The History and
Literature of the New Testament Era.
Although the bill requires the main
textbook be the Bible, these courses
must still be taught objectively. Offcampus
courses under the Released
Time Education Act can be taught
subjectively.
TCM: WHAT COURSES DO YOU OFFER?
GADY: We have four courses available:
Survey of the Old Testament, Survey of
the New Testament, Biblical Finances
& Life Skills, and Comparative
Religion.
The first class I taught was “Life
Skills.” Beginning with the “Plan of
Salvation,” I taught Biblical principles
on finances and wise decision-making.
I used a SACS Accredited curriculum.
Since then, I’ve moved to curriculums
that are already approved in the state
of Georgia to teach to public high
school students.
We begin each class with prayer
and keep a running sheet of prayer
requests. Every course begins with
two weeks of instruction on the Plan
of Salvation. I explain how to be saved
and what that means. For Survey of
the Old Testament, I begin with why
the Bible can be trusted. Then we go