ATLANTA — Georgia is poised to introduce two literature classes on the Bible in public schools next year, a move some critics say would make the state the first to take an explicit stance endorsing — and funding — biblical teachings.
The Bible already is incorporated into some classes in Georgia and other states, but some critics say the board's move, which makes the Bible the classes' main text, treads into dangerous turf.
On a list of classes approved Thursday by the Georgia Board of Education are Literature and History of the Old Testament Era, and Literature and History of the New Testament Era. The classes, approved last year by the Legislature, will not be required, and the state's 180 school systems can decide for themselves whether to offer them.
The school board's unanimous vote set up a 30-day public comment period, after which it is expected to give final approval.
FOXNews.com - Georgia Close to Approving Bible Classes in Public Schools - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News
I think it should be taught. It is a significant part of history.
(3) The courses provided for in this Code section shall:
(A) Be taught in an objective and non-devotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students as to either the truth or falsity of the biblical materials or texts from other religious or cultural traditions ;
(B) Not include teaching of religious doctrine or sectarian interpretation of the Bible or of texts from other religious or cultural traditions; and
(C) Not disparage or encourage a commitment to a set of religious beliefs.
(3) The courses provided for in this Code section shall:
(A) Be taught in an objective and non-devotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students as to either the truth or falsity of the biblical materials or texts from other religious or cultural traditions ;
(B) Not include teaching of religious doctrine or sectarian interpretation of the Bible or of texts from other religious or cultural traditions; and
(C) Not disparage or encourage a commitment to a set of religious beliefs.
FOXNews.com - Georgia Close to Approving Bible Classes in Public Schools - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News
I think it should be taught. It is a significant part of history.
How about teaching the Koran? If there's a state decision to teach the Koran, than by the 1st amendment of the constitution all the religious texts of other religions must also be taught - otherwise it's unconstitutional.
Man, I've got no problem with the idea of teaching the bible in school on principle, it's obviously an important text regardless of faith, but we have to prioritize what we teach in public schools, and although I'm supportive of teaching a general course on ethics, considering the **** that's being cut as is, teaching children the bible is not up there, elective or no, any one class dedicated to teaching the bible is one class that is not dedicated to teaching any of the wide variety of neccesary subjects that are neglected in our public education.
How about teaching the Koran? If there's a state decision to teach the Koran, than by the 1st amendment of the constitution all the religious texts of other religions must also be taught - otherwise it's unconstitutional.
Before we get to deep into the hype and emotional appeals so often related to these issues, let's look at some facts:
Given the fact that these courses are elective and the instructors are forbidden from attempting indoctrination, disparaging or encouraging the students regarding a commitment to a set of religious beliefs, there is clearly no violation of the first amendment and these elective courses are constitutional.
But then therein lies the problem. It's impossible to teach of a religion without teaching the religion.Sure if it is taught from a history aspect and not a religious one.
But then therein lies the problem. It's impossible to teach of a religion without teaching the religion.
ie, Pilgrims fled GB to escape religious prosecution. Ok, then the question lies, what religious prosecution, why was there religious prosecution, to which then we must examine the variances between the two beliefs of the Church of England and protestants. To which then arises another round of whys to which then it's really just teaching the religion itself. Or all together becoming "hence this nation was founded by Christian beliefs" to which we all know, that is hardly the case; but rather founded on the logical principles of freedom and preservation of freedom.
Let them teach religion in schools, it will only hurt it.
How many instructors are CAPABLE of avoiding indoctrination, disparaging or encouraging students regarding a committment to a set of religious beliefs? Who is going to monitor each class to make sure those guidelines are followed?
That's a rather cynical and bitter rationale. :shock:
But then therein lies the problem. It's impossible to teach of a religion without teaching the religion.
ie, Pilgrims fled GB to escape religious prosecution. Ok, then the question lies, what religious prosecution, why was there religious prosecution, to which then we must examine the variances between the two beliefs of the Church of England and protestants. To which then arises another round of whys to which then it's really just teaching the religion itself. Or all together becoming "hence this nation was founded by Christian beliefs" to which we all know, that is hardly the case; but rather founded on the logical principles of freedom and preservation of freedom.
I went to a Catholic elementary school where I was taught Evolution and Christianity side by side. When I weighed the evidence, I choose the science of Evolution. I believe that when people are given theories with tons of evidence verses a theory with none at all, they will choose the one with evidence.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with teaching a survey of Bible literature on principle. Hell, I was required to read the book of Ruth in a world literature class as a high schooler. However, I have to agree with Galenrox when he says that the public school system is under funded as it is. To teach a class on Bible literature specifically is as absurd as teaching a class on Japanese haiku. It is too specific and something that should be left for college educations. As long as we are falling behind in the maths and sciences, introduction of new material should be in these areas or in more general humanities studies that will raise the bar and give students a greater edge in college.
Scientiologist is quite different from scientist. Science in itself does not require faith but rash logic is all. Deductive reasoning.Believe it or not, you can teach a child science without trying to turn him into a Scientologist, a Humanist or an Atheist.
No really, it's true.
You can tell a story without promoting the religion - clearly, just as the documentary lost tomb of Jesus did.I don't believe so. I think you can tell a story without promoting the religion.
Scientiologist is quite different from scientist. Science in itself does not require faith but rash logic is all. Deductive reasoning.
Religion on the other hand requires blind faith, you can not deduce it you can not reason it, it just is. The variance that I'm pointing out here is that there is a variance of religious studies - about the religions, vs bible studies.
What Georgia is doing here is not a religious study session but rather a bible study - specific to only one single religion. Bible studies have no place within the school classroom and are far better suited at sunday school or some other religious institution.
Art and Music are very important if not more important than math and sciences. Why? IMO, if you do not understand the harmony and beauty of life and nature through art and music how can you understand the rational and harmony that is behind math and sciences? This is the exact reason why schools in Universities world wide are typically schools of art's and sciences.I'm not a big fan of public schools so I am probably not the best person to be talking about this. I agree 100% that we are falling behind in math and science and I think we should fund that before this but not art/music over this.
Scientologist is quite different from scientist.
Science in itself does not require faith but rash logic is all. Deductive reasoning.
Religion on the other hand requires blind faith, you can not deduce it you can not reason it, it just is.
The variance that I'm pointing out here is that there is a variance of religious studies - about the religions, vs bible studies.
What Georgia is doing here is not a religious study session but rather a bible study - specific to only one single religion.
Bible studies have no place within the school classroom and are far better suited at sunday school or some other religious institution.
The argument that this thread has missed thus far is that this is now taking public funding for a bible study class. It's not that it's "well it's only an elective" situation, but that tax payer dollars are being spent for the teaching of religion.
That's as clear a day a violation of separation of church and state as any.
Why should my tax dollars (if I lived in GA) go towards the funding to teach religion if I were an atheist?
Or if I were muslim why should my tax dollars go to fund the teaching of christianity?
(3) The courses provided for in this Code section shall:
(A) Be taught in an objective and non-devotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students as to either the truth or falsity of the biblical materials or texts from other religious or cultural traditions;
(B) Not include teaching of religious doctrine or sectarian interpretation of the Bible or of texts from other religious or cultural traditions; and
(C) Not disparage or encourage a commitment to a set of religious beliefs.
Why is ID not taught but evolution is? Simple, one is religious faith the other is science. ID got slaughtered at the courts because it was religion and not science (which it claimed it was).
If this were an after school or all out of school course, I have no beef with it.
If this were a religious studies course, I'd have no beef with it, but this is clearly a bible studies course, therein I have a big problem with.
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