[Bryan]

State tells schools to teach Bible literacy but not how | Latest News | WFAA.com

I'll be interested to see if this passes constitutional muster when it gets challenged. (I say when and not if, because it will be challenged at some point.)

I think this is an important topic of study, but should be part of a larger study on religion's influence on literature.

[scarlet.starlet]

I think teaching biblical literacy is a great idea under two conditions:

1) It's taught as a work of literature/look into ancient history and
2) other works, such as the Koran, the Tao te Ching, the Bhagavad Gita, etc. are included in the course.

[nolidad]

Originally Posted by scarlet.starlet

I think teaching biblical literacy is a great idea under two conditions:

1) It's taught as a work of literature/look into ancient history and
2) other works, such as the Koran, the Tao te Ching, the Bhagavad Gita, etc. are included in the course.

I wouldn;t add those other books unless it was a contemprary religion course.

Bible literacy should be taught because it was part and parcel of our society for so long. We have a Judeo-Christian heritage and learning how th eBible held such a powerful influence in our society for nearly 2 centuries shoud be taught.

As for Constitutional muster. Those who wrote the curricula did work with constitutional scholars to craft it in a way that they are very confident will pass the non-sectarian muster.

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by nolidad

Bible literacy should be taught because it was part and parcel of our society for so long. We have a Judeo-Christian heritage and learning how th eBible held such a powerful influence in our society for nearly 2 centuries shoud be taught.

More than just our nation. Pretty much the entire western world.

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by scarlet.starlet

I think teaching biblical literacy is a great idea under two conditions:

1) It's taught as a work of literature/look into ancient history and
2) other works, such as the Koran, the Tao te Ching, the Bhagavad Gita, etc. are included in the course.

Your two conditions don't add up. The Bible has had far more influence on Western culture, literature, and society then the other works you mentioned combined. If you're going to teach the Bible as literature and its influence on history (specifically Western history), then you wouldn't teach those other works. If you're teaching it as religion, then certainly include the other works and make it a comparative religion class.

[scarlet.starlet]

Originally Posted by nolidad

I wouldn;t add those other books unless it was a contemprary religion course.

I think if you're going to offer a biblical literacy course, you should also offer other religion courses.

[nolidad]

Originally Posted by scarlet.starlet

I think if you're going to offer a biblical literacy course, you should also offer other religion courses.

Well then call it a study of contemporary religions instead of a bible literacy course.

[JerryLove]

Originally Posted by nolidad

Bible literacy should be taught because it was part and parcel of our society for so long. We have a Judeo-Christian heritage and learning how th eBible held such a powerful influence in our society for nearly 2 centuries shoud be taught.

So you advocate teaching kids political docterine... the state telling people what to believe and think? Big government as it were?

Good to know.

That said, the Bible has little to do with our culture and country. It's odd how often you confuse Christian values and Biblical values.

As for Constitutional muster. Those who wrote the curricula did work with constitutional scholars to craft it in a way that they are very confident will pass the non-sectarian muster.

I understand Bernie Matoff did the same with his earnings reports.