The Bible should be taught in public school as a history course, because whether one is a Jew, Christian or Muslim or atheist, the Bible is the historical cornerstone of Western Civilization in general and the United States founding specifically.
Furthermore, the Bible was a critical influence on the art, music and culture of Western civilization.
One cannot read English literature written before, perhaps 1960, and understand the allusions unless one has at least a superficial knowledge of the Bible.
Adam’s apple
David & Goliath
Eden
Good Samaritan
Cast your bread upon the waters
“That’s the Gospel truth”
Holy Grail
Prodigal Son
Sodom and Gomorrah
Wisdom of Solomon
Check out “A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature”
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=9780802836342
(I just bought a used hardcover for $2.26 + $3.99 S&H)