Despite legal challenges, public officials in Arizona belligerently declare their support for National Bible Week. Governor Hull warns that she will replace this year's NBW proclamation, however, with one urging people to read all religious writings. Should government be a cheerleader for god belief?

amadan. Interfaith Prayer Vigil Week. Catholic Social Services Community Awareness Week.

    These are just some of the religious events which Arizona Governor Jane Hull has stamped with her imprimatur in her role as the state's highest elected official. As a result of her willingness to extend the government limelight to such groups and beliefs, Hull once again finds herself in the middle of public controversy, this time over Arizona's recognition of National Bible Week. Even more legal heat is on Gilbert, Az. Mayor Cynthia Dunham who last evening was expected to declare that community's support for the NBW, but was stopped thanks to a last-minute restraining order obtained in federal court by the American Civil Liberties Union.

   Gov. Hull defended her action in declaring National Bible Week earlier this month. She told reporters that each year she signs nearly 400 proclamations on behalf of a variety of groups, both secular and religious. In the latter category are events like Arizona Day of Prayer and Interfaith Prayer Vigil Week. Hull pointed out the historical roots of NBW, and specifically cited the actions of President Harry Truman who signed a similar declaration in 1952. The first presidential proclamation, though, was penned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the beginning of World War II. Hull also said that she will consider a "religious scriptures week" next year instead of focusing exclusively on the Bible. That ruse may take public attention off the more offensive part of the proclamations at both the state and local level which assert, in part, "The Bible is the foundational document of the Judeo- Christian principles upon which our nation was conceived..."

   Mayor Dunham was equally defensive. Immediately prior to the federal injunction, Dunham called a press conference at city hall and reaffirmed her support for the proclamation. A decision is expected on whether or not Gilbert will bother to use taxpayer funds in challenging the ACLU suit. Even if officials shun the use of public monies, though, the Arizona division of Pat Robertson's American Center for Law and Justice -- described as a Christian "legal swat team" by its director, Jay Sekulow -- will likely step in to provide legal assistance. At least three city council members are on record as opposing the use of any public funds to pursue the matter.

    Gilbert attorney Gary McCaleb, speaking on behalf of ACLJ, said that the Christian legal group was "extremely interested in this case," and described those challenging the National Bible Week proclamation as "ridiculous."

   Religious groups are divided over the National Bible Week proclamations. One plaintiff in the Arizona suit, Ellen Sklar, identified herself as a Jew and survivor of the Nazi Holocaust who said that both the state and Gilbert decrees "offended" her. Rabbi Robert Kravitz, speaking for the local chapter of American Jewish Committee, said that NBW declarations are "totally inappropriate."

"In the synagogue," said Kravitz, "we study the Torah all the time. In church, they celebrate the New Testament frequently... We don't need the government to suggest a certain week to do so."

    The President of the Ft. McDowell Mohave-Apache Indian Community said that his organization also opposes Bible Week decrees. Clinton Pattea noted that the Bible was used as a rationalization in the slaughter of Native Americans during the settlement of the West. "They came and disrupted our way of life," said Mr. Pattea. "As a traditional people, we don't rely on (the Bible)."

    Local ministers, though, spoke out in defense of both Gov. Hull and Mayor Dunham, as did the leader of the Islamic Center of North Phoenix. Seemingly unaware of the idea of state-church separation, Iman Sabahudin Ceman said that he did not think "anybody who reads that book can get any harm," and that he does not consider the flap to be over religion.

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