In some regards It wouldn't be so bad. But only if it is offered as an elective and it is presented, treated and discussed as purely a work work of literature. When analyzed in this way the mythology quickly comes to the surface. However I find it unlikely that any classroom discussion would not turn into religious debate very quickly and in turn a waste of time. Best left to sunday school. But we all know that to treat it as a mythology just wouldn't fly. After all, the Bible can't be lumped in with all those other myths. That would be Teh Evil.  Introducing it as an elective is idealistic, not realistic. I'm overly tired of hearing that everyday 'moan and groan' of those who desire not to hear any part of creationism in school. Creationism would be thought as a theory just as is evolution. After all, that is what evolution is: a theory! Get over yourselfs! Hearing about other possible theories in school and other public places is directly exposing people to other beliefs instead of just one. Just because it goes against what you believe does not mean it should not be taught. We're not talking about creationism. We're talking about the Bible, a complete religious text, being forced into public schools as "elective" even though it would never be taught as mere literature. A forced elective? I think the Bible (and other religious texts) should be taught in school as far as their effect on literature. They shouldn't be taught as fact or fiction, simply brought up as the source for many common phrases and stories told today. As for electives, if a community supports an elective and they can justify the expense (meaning there is enough student interest to fill the class), then I don't have a problem with it as long as students still get their required basics. It's being forced onto the school schedule. One more step towards it being a regular approved class. I don't see the Vedas or any other religious text being pushed onto the school agenda. I'm OK with the Bible and other religious texts being mentioned in relation to other literature. That's far different from an entire class devoted to one singular religious tome. I attended a university that offered courses such as 'The Bible as literature' and 'The Koran as literature'. I see nothing wrong with it at that level. In high schools, however, I think they need to concentrate more on the basics. I I taught high school math until I had a stroke that left me with right-side hemiparalysis. I can tell you from personal experience, that most of these kids need electives that will teach them things related to getting into college or a job in the real world, like business math, typing or accounting. I think it's best to leave the other elective course material to colleges or community education classes. High schools need to concentrate on academics. Agreed, hudgal1. You choose to go to college, where such a class would be really interesting. I don't like it being subtly inserted into public school where kids are basically given a subconscious hint that the Bible is the "approved" text in more ways than one. High school is for academics, yes. When we get rid of the mandatory testing, we can concentrate even more on that. Public schools, below the university level, are not the place for this kind of class. The bible will never be treated as "literature" by the Christian students and any discussion otherwise can end in beatings and fights between students. As it happened with me when I was in high school. I am fifty-one and the "prayer and pledge" were mandatory back when I was in high school. I was an atheist at the time and I was told I could remain seated, if I so wished. Therefore, I technically had my rights, but this did not prevent the other students from trying to beat me up or intimidate me in other ways. I was even accosted in class, during the prayer, when another student demanded I stand up a... @wiccantexan, the first book of the bible is what? Ah, yes.. good ol' Genesis (The entailment of every component that involves creationism. This wouldn't be glanced over merely. Indirectly, as the literature of the bible is being taught so would the concept of creationism @wiccantexan "It's being forced onto the school schedule." It's being forced or implemented in the school curriculum as an OPTIONAL elective students can choose to take. It is not imposed on students because they have the option to take it. @wiccantexan "I don't like it being subtly inserted into public school where kids are basically given a subconscious hint that the Bible is the "approved" text in more ways than one." Wi... Isn't it strange that when the issue of God in school changed the rules our children started killing other children? Going off a tangent...another plausible idea is a general course that offers information on other religious texts. Not just the Bible. Going off a tangent...another plausible idea is a general course that offers information on other religious texts. Not just the Bible.I would support that entirely. My problem is the specifics of always having JUST the Bible. Religious texts in general, even including the Bible, would be OK with me. Isn't it strange that when the issue of God in school changed the rules our children started killing other children?Isn't it strange that the Virginia Tech shooter rails against Christianity in his manifesto/video? Isn't it strange that practically every new pagan I talk to comes from a strict fundamentalist background, specific denominations? There were plenty of problems in school before "God was taken out." They would still be there if the Christian God was exclusively put back in. Note the word "exclusive." Noted - I'm not saying we should 'do' anything like put God back in school- I was just stating an observation I have read many times. I do feel that teaching values is not as important as it once was. Most of those values were taught with religious undertones. I was bombarded with morals when I was in school. *grin* I believe that teaching morality in school didn't necessarily end with taking out religious undertones, but it sure did come to a skreeching halt with political correctness. Now, we have religious debates on "offending others" even when there is no basis. I can't count how many times pagans/Wiccans such as myself were pointed out as "potentially offended" as the reason for taking something religious away. But no one ever actually ASKED me if I cared in the slightest; it was just used as an excuse. And as a result, I'm villified as the "cause of morality sliding downwards because of PC" even though I'm just as much against it as any Christian parent. *sigh* The morals and ... |
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