A school district in Utah has decided to ban the Bible from elementary and middle schools, deeming it unsuitable for younger readers due to its perceived vulgarity and violence.

The decision was prompted by a parent’s frustration with previous attempts to ban books in schools.

The Davis district, located north of Salt Lake City and serving 72,000 students, has removed the religious text from elementary and middle schools but will retain it in high schools.

A committee consisting of parents, teachers, and administrators within the district reviewed the Bible following a parent’s complaint.

There was a request to remove the Book of Mormon from libraries accessible to younger students.

The district spokesperson confirmed that a review request had been filed but declined to disclose the reasons or whether it was from the same individual who complained about the Bible.

This development occurs amidst a broader nationwide trend where conservative parent activists, such as state-based chapters of the group Parents United, are increasingly influencing discussions on sex and violence in schools.

The decision of the committee regarding the Bible did not provide specific details on the passages considered overly violent or vulgar.

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The identity of the person who requested the Bible’s ban and their potential affiliation with any larger group remain unknown due to the district’s privacy policy.

However, a public records request revealed a complaint from a parent citing instances of incest, prostitution, and rape in the Bible.

The complaint accused the district of a biased process and accused Parents United of jeopardizing children’s education, First Amendment rights, and library access.

According to the district spokesperson, the review committee concluded that the Bible did not meet Utah’s definition of what is considered pornographic or indecent, which is why it is still available in high schools.

The committee, empowered by a new state law, has adopted different standards based on students’ age in response to multiple challenges.