Starting this year, public high schools in Texas will be required to teach students about the Bible. The courses are elective. Texas state law now requires that all public schools offer “information relating to the Bible, in their curriculum”. It's intent is to learn the profound, historical impact that the Bible has had on our nation's history and our government. This law was passed 2 years ago and is set to go into effect for this new school year. One teacher's views expressed that the purpose of a course like this isn’t to get kids to believe or not believe, it is simply to appreciate the profound impact that the Bible has had on our history and on our government. It's hard to think of any institution that has done more to shape our western culture than the Bible and the Christian church. Life as we know it in America, would not have come into existance without it. Most realize that most of the formal transfer of knowledge in our country is in the domain of our public schools. Doesn't it makes sense that ALL historical events and views are available to students and taught by the school system? Heaven knows, public education teachs everything else under the sun, much of which has turned out to be quite damaging to what many see and call truth.... All children need to understand the underpinnings of our American society, regardless of what their creeds or backgrounds are.. This is AMERICA and The Bible, used to be a permanent fixture and further, taught in every classroom... Many children even learned to read, using it. However, in my opinion, since it's eviction from our government and teaching arenas, most folks, without any requirement of effort or high degree of education or even any degree of average intelligence can obviously see the chaos and savage crime statistics building up all around us and again, in my opinion, rooted in most's lack of Biblical knowledge in general. Personally, I'm quite impressed at their courage! Further, I'm all for it and sincerely hope this law spreads to include all the states of America. Of course, the ole ACLU is pitching it's usual fit.. lol.. Which is to be expected as they are usually against anything that could serve to benifit society.. lol.. What say you?
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Comments: 248
Actually, if I could AFFORD to move, I'd be out of this miserable HOA I currently own in. Ahh, but I digress............ sigh.
We have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. To leave the Bible out of the classroom is to leave a lot of history out.
theres no distinction.
would you feel the same way if it was the Koran, or Bhagvad Gita being taught about? I doubt it.
YOUR freedom of religion MEANS that you are free of having other religions inflicted on you.
Freedom of Religion means freedom of religion for ALL, which definitionally DOES mean freedom from religion.
it is inappropriate for the bible to be in an american history class.
or do you mean a history class that is american? history shouldn't have a national bias in that way. (not to say it doesn't, just... shouldn't)
it appears that you are under the delusion that the US is, or ever was, a Christian nation, when it is in fact not.
this is the same thing. religiously biased teachings should not be part of public school education.
It's really not the governments responsibility to educate. There will always be something that a group of people object to.
Athiests and extreme liberals just love to reinterpret everything, to fit their own agenda.
I mean, that one RELIGION objecting to another RELIGION is a whole different situation than a RELIGION objecting to SCIENCE.
whats funny is that I am neither an atheist nor an "extreme liberal".
>"but it's also well documented that if our country wasn't founded on the belief in a higher power, GOD, then the morals of our country could be easily led astray."<<br>well its good to hear that they haven't been! you know with all the sex scandals and corruption and whatnot.
honestly looking at the US now, and the US's history I wouldn't be eager to make that claim....
but that aside, it doesn't say "we find these truths in the christian bible", it says "we find these truths to be self evident"
the US is a SECULAR nation, where everyone is free to have their religion, and to be free of other religions being inflicted upon them.
I don't see how some of you are coming up with these ideas that Christianity, or the bible had THAT much impact on the history of the US.
As you said, River Walker, the US was not built on Christian principles, though I would qualify that statement to say that it was not built on Christian principles ALONE. Our government WAS founded on the desire for freedom of religious CHOICE, since many immigrant groups (throughout our history) were persecuted for their beliefs in their homelands.
As I said above, some teacher somewhere is going to look at this as an opportunity to 'witness' or 'lead my students to Christ' and that is when the lawsuits will start. I guarantee it.
Have you researched this? Had you heard anything about it yet?
I grew up in the South during the days when Bible reading in schools was an integral part of the curriculum. The only time I had a problem was with one teacher who actually asked the students of her class what their affiliations were and proceeded to grade down everybody who was not of her affiliation. That was wrong, and she was urged to resign after it became known. It was unfortunate, and I am sure that when the clamoring to remove Bible readings from the schools began in that district, that incident was well remembered.
The only pitfall I see is what Maurice mentioned as well, it is too easy for teachers to abuse the power and I don't reckon all get reported, mine never did when they did the same, so whatever the goal of the project there will have to be a more hands on governance or children might start to suffer because one or two people don't grasp the concept.
it is not that the bible has to take a back seat, but its a matter of equality.
America was NOT founded on "bibical christian values" or "morals and rights and wrongs". simply not true.
as a non-christian I have no issue with factual things, history, and the rudiments of religious texts other than my own being taught.
most people who've even HEARD of the talmud haven't the first clue what it is, what it says or anything. even the most basic information regarding what it is, would be a huge step up.
your persecution complex is all in your head. try going to school your whole time growing up and being the *ONLY* one in school of your beliefs. (and not a tiny school, but a real school with hundreds of people)
religious beliefs should not be taught in public schools. and if you want to teach history regarding religious texts, it should include at least all the biggest ones.
it DOES NOT MATTER if the koran has no personal value to you. not on this topic.
Go Cowboys!
Elizabeth, you are making the point for me.
"implement the teaching of" is religious teaching that is in contradiction to freedom of religion.
if one is going to have a historical class regarding the historical impact of religious texts, theres no reason to favor one over another.
That's not America, that's Stepford.
I mean most non-christians with an opinion on it, I think, have a problem with history relating to religious beliefs or texts.
its religious teachings that are the problem.
DUH
"One day the older daughter said to the younger, 'Our father is old, and there is no man around here to lie with us, as is the custom all over the earth. Let's get our father to drink wine and then lie with him and preserve our family line through our father.'" -- Genesis 19:31-38
II Kings 6:28,29 "And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son."
"There were two women, the daughters of one mother; and they played the harlot in Egypt. They played the harlot in their youth; there their breasts were pressed, and there their virgin bosom was handled.... she lusted after her lovers... and she bestowed her harlotries on them, all of whom were the choicest men of Assyria.... for in her youth men had lain with her, and they handled her virgin bosom and poured out their lust on her.... And she lusted after their paramours, whose flesh is like the flesh of donkeys and whose issue is like the issue of horses."
Ezekiel 23:1-20
Do the kids get to read it all or just those^^^^passages?
Do these verses have anything to do with American history?
Play it again sam for those who misplaced their glasses or their hearing aids....lol.. This elective class will teach the historic impact of the Bible, on our nation, society and our government... Btw, The LACK of which isn't difficult to see these days? lol..
And for the record, friend... The Bible tells it like it is........ No punches pulled..It tells us as God sees us.. that's why you and I need and have forgivness through Jesus Christ,, Hmmmmmmm imagine that? A free gift of forgivness of sins and eternal life if asked for in genuine repentence and sincerity of heart...
Our heritage as a nation, is founded on Christian principles...why do you object to a class that would show the historical value of such principles?
The passages you picked were indications to me that you think this is somehow considered a "bible study" class and that it would compete somehow with the sex education class that is mandatory in public schools.
Is that what all your hoopla is about?
And again WE ARE NOT FOUNDED on Christian principles any more than we are founded on wiccan or pagain or muslim principles.
What is your point in wanting the bible to be taught in school?
Sandy, I pray God soon brings you to an awareness of your smug and judgemental attitude in such a way that you are brought lower than you can possibly imagine in your need for humility and compassion. God already rules....just not to your liking.
You'd think it obvious what you wrote makes perfect sense. There's no mention of teaching a religion. It's only about how the Bible affected the founding of our country. No indoctrination mentioned.
But the extreme liberals and athiests just love to insert what "might" happen if the Bible is mentioned anywhere.
Well, we know what happens to people who posess a Bible in Arab nations, don't we? My neighbor was married to an Arab, who finally kicked her butt out of the country, because she would not submit to his complete control. He could have had her beheaded, but she still doesn't get it and wants to go back to see her other children.
OH... and nothing but the affects the Bible had on our country's development should be taught. Myself, I avoid organized religions of any faith. But, I do know the Father and my Savior Jesus Christ.
What do you think Jesus and the Apostles were doing?
If true history had been taught correctly in the US, we wouldn't have such confusion about these things...
Not necessarily. I wasn't taught about ANY African American history when I was in school...and it certainly happened and was documented, it just was not included. I never heard of George Washington Carver until I got to college.
Since Texas has such a high Native American population, will Native American spiritual history of oral tradition be included as well? Didn't their existence have a huge effect on this nation's history? Or are those events just going to be ignored, as the history of so many other demographic groups has been?
but I listened and did not make a scene. It was harder for my science teacher to teach it, because He is also Christian.
I think it is great that Texas will allow the students to learn
about the Bible as a part of our U.S. History. But as an elective,
no one will be forced to take the class against their will.
I too homeschool, so we can learn what we want, when we want.
As for our Nation being founded on Christian Values, I honestly
believe it was. The 1st Admendment to the US Consitution
gives freedom to ALL, of all religions. including Christianity.
so why is it when someone talks about their christianity
beliefs, we are told, we are WRONG.
Sorry, but the biggest problem with American now
is the lack of following God's laws and praying for HIS will
be done.
PIF
I know some people may not like that idea but my brother and I think it's a great idea.