Ben Baker's first bill calls tor social studies courses on New Testament, Hebrew Scriptures, in public schools

With a few weeks left before he is officially sworn into office as 160th District State Representative, Neosho Mayor Ben Baker is already making waves.

Baker's first bill, pre-filed Monday, would allow public school districts to teach the New Testament of the Bible or the Hebrew Scriptures as elective social studies courses.

The purpose of the bill is to do the following, according to its text:

-Teach students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory and public policy

-Familiarize students with the contents, the history, the literary style and structure of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament and their influence on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture.



During his campaign, Baker accepted a maximum $2,600 contribution from the Webb City-based Brush Fires PAC, which received the money from the American Federation for Children, a dark money group launched by the family of U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

The American Federation for Children is a major supporter of providing educational vouchers to pay for students to attend private schools and private religious schools.

The dark money group also spent $10,042.06 for advertising supporting Baker during the final days of Baker's primary campaign against Raleigh Drue Ritter and David Osburn.


Though contributions are limited to $2,600, committees can spend any amount they want to support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue.

Baker did not specify any of his stances on education during his campaign, skipping forums at the Neosho Library and Crowder College.

The only mention of education on his campaign website was one brief paragraph:

As a professor and dean of students (Baker is an instructor at Ozark Bible Institute), I understand the importance of a good education. I will fight for excellence in education for all Missouri children.