Should Bible Classes Be Taught in Public Schools?
Friday March 24, 2006
Category: Religious Liberty
Amy Hess makes a good argument this week in favor of teaching more Bible-as-literature classes, arguing that:
Public schools offer classes on Greek and Roman mythology. Why? Because those myths permeate our culture. Students should understand the many allusions to ancient myths in everyday American life, from the planet Jupiter to Midas mechanics. Why should we "Trust the Midas Touch"? Because everything King Midas touched turned to gold. "Oh yeah. Yeah, I get it."
Yet, kids don't understand why Faulkner would name his book Absalom, Absalom. Who in the world was Absalom? They don't have a clue. And maybe... neither do you. Too many young people are just not being taught about the greatest book in literature - a book that has influenced several religions and countless generations. America is so skittish about maintaining a separation between Church and State, [it has] neglected its children's education ...
This chasm of biblical ignorance has grown mighty obvious, and many public schools are now working to offer Biblical literacy classes as electives. They are permitted to do so constitutionally as long as they neither promote nor attack the religious elements of the Bible.
Here in Jackson, Mississippi, one local state-funded community college offers an A.A. in Philosophy and Bible instead of Philosophy and Religion. Why? Because, well, there are only three religion classes--World Religions, Old Testament, and New Testament--and one 3-hour course does not a concentration make. So it makes more sense to call it a Bible degree than a religion degree.
The kicker is how to cover the Bible. As someone who has written both a guide to the Bible and several books dealing with church-state issues (including one that focuses exclusively on religion in schools), I've seen both sides of this debate up close. Do you say God wrote the Pentateuch, or do you say that it came from four traditions that we can call Yahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomistic, and Priestly? Do you use the Protestant version, or the slightly longer Roman Catholic version, or the truly massive Ethiopian Orthodox version? And which translation?
Back in the 19th century, when nobody much cared about church-state separation because the idea had not yet been applied to state law, both the Bible and the Lord's Prayer were taught in public schools. But the Bible was taught using the Protestant King James Version translation, the Lord's Prayer was not spoken in Latin, and the little devotional lessons that came with the Bible study were generally pro-Protestant at best and anti-Catholic at worst. This was a serious problem for new immigrants, who tended to be Catholic, so they responded to this by creating a parochial school system that still thrives to this day--a system where, at the time, the Douay-Rheims translation could be used instead of the King James, the Lord's Prayer became the Pater Noster, and the theology lessons reinforced the teachings of the church rather than condemning them.
There is no sensible reason why the Bible can't be taught at all in public schools, and there are many sensible reasons why it should be, but determining how to teach it is a tricky proposition. In the Alabama case Amy refers to, for example, some evangelicals object to the idea of using a non-sectarian Bible textbook because that would be seen as a way of further pushing a secular agenda. But if you use a sectarian Bible textbook, then you are by definition promoting religion. Facing this dilemma, folks responsible for designing curricula tend to throw their hands in the air and leave the issue of Bible classes to churches, religious schools, and to colleges and universities. That unfortunate compromise may well be the one that school administrators are stuck with until the culture war becomes less heated.
Amy Hess makes a good argument this week in favor of teaching more Bible-as-literature classes, arguing that:
Public schools offer classes on Greek and Roman mythology. Why? Because those myths permeate our culture. Students should understand the many allusions to ancient myths in everyday American life, from the planet Jupiter to Midas mechanics. Why should we "Trust the Midas Touch"? Because everything King Midas touched turned to gold. "Oh yeah. Yeah, I get it."
Yet, kids don't understand why Faulkner would name his book Absalom, Absalom. Who in the world was Absalom? They don't have a clue. And maybe... neither do you. Too many young people are just not being taught about the greatest book in literature - a book that has influenced several religions and countless generations. America is so skittish about maintaining a separation between Church and State, [it has] neglected its children's education ...
This chasm of biblical ignorance has grown mighty obvious, and many public schools are now working to offer Biblical literacy classes as electives. They are permitted to do so constitutionally as long as they neither promote nor attack the religious elements of the Bible.
Here in Jackson, Mississippi, one local state-funded community college offers an A.A. in Philosophy and Bible instead of Philosophy and Religion. Why? Because, well, there are only three religion classes--World Religions, Old Testament, and New Testament--and one 3-hour course does not a concentration make. So it makes more sense to call it a Bible degree than a religion degree.
The kicker is how to cover the Bible. As someone who has written both a guide to the Bible and several books dealing with church-state issues (including one that focuses exclusively on religion in schools), I've seen both sides of this debate up close. Do you say God wrote the Pentateuch, or do you say that it came from four traditions that we can call Yahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomistic, and Priestly? Do you use the Protestant version, or the slightly longer Roman Catholic version, or the truly massive Ethiopian Orthodox version? And which translation?
Back in the 19th century, when nobody much cared about church-state separation because the idea had not yet been applied to state law, both the Bible and the Lord's Prayer were taught in public schools. But the Bible was taught using the Protestant King James Version translation, the Lord's Prayer was not spoken in Latin, and the little devotional lessons that came with the Bible study were generally pro-Protestant at best and anti-Catholic at worst. This was a serious problem for new immigrants, who tended to be Catholic, so they responded to this by creating a parochial school system that still thrives to this day--a system where, at the time, the Douay-Rheims translation could be used instead of the King James, the Lord's Prayer became the Pater Noster, and the theology lessons reinforced the teachings of the church rather than condemning them.
There is no sensible reason why the Bible can't be taught at all in public schools, and there are many sensible reasons why it should be, but determining how to teach it is a tricky proposition. In the Alabama case Amy refers to, for example, some evangelicals object to the idea of using a non-sectarian Bible textbook because that would be seen as a way of further pushing a secular agenda. But if you use a sectarian Bible textbook, then you are by definition promoting religion. Facing this dilemma, folks responsible for designing curricula tend to throw their hands in the air and leave the issue of Bible classes to churches, religious schools, and to colleges and universities. That unfortunate compromise may well be the one that school administrators are stuck with until the culture war becomes less heated.
Comments
If the bible is to be taught in public shcools it should be taught by christian teachers to prevent the pushing of the secular agenda. Bible study should be a matter of choice to avoid forced conversion.
i dont think so
Sure… and you put a ‘Christian’ in charge of teaching, and you’ll get someone who’ll push an anti-secular agenda. I mean, really, look at the tactics used by the ‘Intelligent Design’ folks to try to push their way into the educational system.
Try to teach the Bible in public school, and nobody wins. Education should be left up to parents, churches, and curious individuals.
The Bible should not be taught the same way in a school as it is in a Church. It should be taught strictly as a peace of literature and for no other reason than it is culturally relevant. Students would not analyze how it affects individuals personally, but rather how it has shaped our society. This would appease Christians; on the grounds that students would have Bibles in their hands and would make Non-Christians happy that it teachers are teaching the Bible not preaching it.
I am a student in high school and I believe that the Bible should be taught in schools. If the Bible was taught in schools (from kindergarden)I think that there would be less violence and more peace. If you have Jesus Christ the you have weverthing that you will ever need. God bless you! Jesus loves you
Ally:
That is exactly why people don’t want the Bible taught in schools. People like you who think that there religion or belief is so much better is the reason that this topic is being debated. Some people do not believe in Jesus, can you understand that?
The Constitution strictly prohibits the teaching of any religion…and Ally, many rapists, serial killers and domestic killers are christian…
goodness… you guys are rude. Jesus loves you whether you like it or not. Deal with it.
I’m a high school student and I beleive that the characters of the bible set a positive example, so it should be taught in school. The bible is also a great source of culture and history. Mark, I am not christian and when I read the bible, I didn’t find it offensive because I think teaching a religious text of any kind that promotes good should not be banned because in the end all the bible, the quran, the bhagvadgita and etc all promte good. Also Jason, yes there are christians in this world who are rapists, serial and domestic killers, but the bible did not support any such behaviors and there are christians who are charitable and kind and generous as well in this world!
I’m a Christian and I’m from China. Now I’m studying in America. One of my Courses is American Public School Law and I’m reading the chapter of how the wall between states and churches is being built and how the wall is extended into education.
I have to say I feel pity for the wall, because it’s not a wall that protect the freedom and liberty as most American think, but rather a wall that separate God and His people, cut the blessings upon us form the Almighty but incur curses in a long run.
I think the founders of American Constitution would regret what they wrote into COnstitution to protect religion freedom to avoid strife among different domination, to prohibit any one domination to be supreious than others
(continued and corrected)
I think the founders of American Constitution would regret what they wrote into Constitution that originally aimed to protect religion freedom to avoid strife among different dominations and to prohibit any one domination to be supreious than others within Christianity, but lately, step by step, was twisted and distorted into a weapon to kick God out of all Public fields, restraining Christian faith as only personal and individual matter.
But the God we believe is an Almighty God who won’t be destroyed by the hands of man-kind. He’s coming to China where thousands and thousands people become Christians each year, for we recognize how precious the salvation He has gave us as well as the universal truth based on the words of the Holy Bible after we as a nation, have suffered and been tortured for thousands of years, not knowing God.
Dear American people, be sensitive and thankful to the One who loves you and blesses you so much. Don’t go too far way where you can not reach His Provision anymore and if that time comes, it will be the darkest time in American history.
Very well said Karen! Teaching the Bible but not preaching it in schools would be good. If they’re going to teach evolution, why not keep an open mind and teach some religion too! And since 95% of the USA are Christians (supposedly) it seems only right that they’d teach The Bible other than Islam or some other religion. Of course you couldn’t ban those religions from being taught, but it’d be better to have more emphasize on the Bible. The Koran talks of murdering people to spread its religion..teaching that to our kids would not be good for anyone.
wow, i love the comments, and i support the teaching of the bible in schools, good job though, guys
I’m sorry, but I don’t think that it’s right that Greek Gods and other religions can be taught in school, and yet Christianity cannot. Also considering how many Christians there are! I completely believe in Jesus and am offended when other religions are taught.
I do not know where you get your resources from.
The Quran is strickly against violence.
The Quran is about peace.
There is only one Quran. Read it. Interpret it. It is a beautiful religion.
The Quran just like the Original Bible promotes goodness.
The Quran is against violence.
The Quran is about peace.
the bible should be taught at schools. whether you know it or not, the BiBLE is the most read and most sold book in the world. you dont have to be a Christian to read the Bible, educate yourself, and learn more about God. you should NOT ever talk about God that way hommies
I have seen that this has been talked around. How ever to teach the Bible in school with out teaching a doctrine or theology can be done. As a long time student of the Bible, and teacher of, I can show you how to teach the Bible with out religion, doctrine, or theology becoming an issue. World history is the study of man kind from start to today. In this class one looks at others lived, and interacted with the nations around them. True the “church” would never be happy with leaving out doctrine. The secular, would be mad about teaching the Bible in any manner, yet with one was to leave out Theology, Doctrine, and religion. There would be an introduction to all 3.
As we know, should one truly place faith first, and believe the words of the Bible, it is clear that by leaving out the teachings of all churches, God’s Word will get done what He has for it to do.
I’m sitting here in Sweden wondering why the ones of you who are Christian is so keen on teaching the Bible? I don’t know how education about religion works in the U.S, however in Sweden be get to learn about all the major world religions and faiths including the ancient ones like Greek and even Swedish mythology.
With that said I have never read the Bible but through school I still know what Christianity is about and also how the Bible is structured and some of its most well know stories.
What I’m trying to say is that Christianity can be taught along with every other religions without the actual Bible.
When there’s peace in this world, the Christian’s will be in heaven. What is the point of living if you’re one day closer to death? Heaven and Hell are REAL places that you go to after you die – believe it or not; I’d rather be sure then not sure.
WE are the church. It’s not a building or the music or the pastor or the communion that makes the church. CHRISTIANS as ONE body are the church.
Sin was brought into this world by HUMANS therefore it is in our nature to sin (make wrong decisions). It is up to us to make those decisions and will FALL on us in the end whether it be good or bad.