'Texas Public Schools Now Required To Teach The Bible' (Dallas: 2010, house)

[brubaker]

"As of the 2009-2010 school year public schools in Texas are now required to offer a high school elective course on the literature of the Bible and history of that era. House Bill No. 1287 explains that the course “must be taught in an objective and non-devotional manner that does not attempt to indoctrinate students as to either the truth or falsity of the Judeo-Christian biblical materials”. It goes on to say that schools can add courses on other religious texts if they would like, but only the one on the Bible is required.


Regardless of the guidelines the bill attempts to place on schools/teachers (such as mentioned above), this decision is bias in favor of one particular religious text. A philosophy class would be acceptable and is something much more important to teach than just one religious text. This shows favor to one religion
and indirectly promotes Christianity."

http://www.examiner.com/x-8948-Dalla...each-the-Bible

[doctorjef]

To avoid law suits it will have to be taught in an extremely dry manner. When I was in HS at the beginning of the 1970s the Lubbock ISD offered an elective course in Bible. It was generally taken by the academically unambitious or by kids who took home ec. and typing (lots of girls with ideas of being office clerks and working on Mrs. degrees). The girls I knew who took the course offered at Coronado HS in Lubbock at the time reported that it was learning a bunch of names and story details, over which their tests focused. There certainly wasn't any interpretation or critical analysis, literary or otherwise. This really would make such a course generally a terrible waste of time, but there's no other way to teach it in a public school system. This stupid new requirement will probably be thrown out in a few years because budgetary constraints and other academic demands will make a requirement to offer this elective impractical.

[Bulldawg82]

I think a class in all the major world religions would be a good idea. Within the umbrella of Christianity, you still have a lot to cover just with the major denominations and sects. If you have time, then some of the more well-known cults. It's a legitimate subject with historical implications that serve only to educate the students. Certainly better than many of the elective classes that are offered. BUT, it must be done impartially and not with a Baptist minister or Catholic priest teaching the class.

[cosmosmom]

Careful, objective study of the Bible is what caused me to lose my faith and eventually become an atheist. It is interesting and important culturally, but it takes a lot of mental gymnastics to believe everything in that book is true. Once I started questioning the Bible, the questions kept coming! It's turned out to be a wonderful thing for me and a jumping off point for exploring spirituality beyond religion. As a mother, I have no problem with my children studying the Bible in an objective manner. That is something we do at home as well as study other religions and philosophy.

I think the bill sponsor's intent - to introduce Christianity into public schools - is probably going to backfire here.

I feel sorry for the teachers chosen to conduct this class. They are going to become a lightning rod for controversy. Either they won't teach it favorably enough towards Christianity, or they will - either way people will not be happy!

[doctorjef]

In the UK Religious Education ("RE") is a normal secondary school required course and secular teachers actually train and are certified to teach the subject. This was part of the deal the government struck after WWII in exchange for taking over a lot of formerly Roman Catholic and Church of England schools that those bodies could no longer afford to run. The course does focus on major world religions and general conceptions of the deity. However, since it's required and not an elective it can't be taught at a very challenging level most places and there will be many unmotivated and pretty totally uninterested students in the course, as with any other required course. I realise in the case of TX we are talking of an elective course that would therefore have students self-selecting for it. However, public school districts won't be able to offer anything with real academic worthiness without a sizeable investment of funds, and indeed TEA would need to develop appropriate standards and certification for teachers of such courses. It just won't be done. Instead, you'll have a useless elective being offered and eating up funds that could be better spent in other ways.

[TexasNick]

Careful, objective study is actually what solidified my faith in Jesus Christ. Understanding how and why the Bible was written is a major step into that direction. HOWEVER, I believe this should be done in one's own home, not in the public classroom. Forcing students to lean about the Bible is not what the founding fathers wanted nor what Jesus wanted. I'm against this ruling.

[nmnita]

this is the second thread on the subject started since last night. Maybe the moderator can group them together.

Nita

[teatime]

Careful of the use of the word "required." At the most, it's a "required" elective and that STILL means kids can choose to take the course, or not. I noticed that the OP has also started a thread polling whether Texas will turn Democratic. Is this one of those politically charged threads, as well?

I don't see what the problem with studying the Bible is. At its base, it's the history of certain peoples and their relationship with their G(g)od. We teach Greco-Roman mythology all of the time, and I used to teach Native American theology, too. What, is no one worried that the kids will be turned toward paganism and/or polytheism by studying those?

I am a Christian and I attend a weekly Bible study at my church. Our rector often brings in Babylonian myth and stories to compare them to Hebrew stories, such as Noah. We also discuss the similarities between Greco-Roman gods and the God of the Old Testament. Intelligent people understand the value in comparative mythology and, no, by using the word mythology, I'm NOT dissing the Bible.

Currently, my Bible study is finishing up the Book of Exodus. It is VERY interesting to discuss the Laws of the Covenant in comparison to current law. Modern jurisprudence has its roots here. But it's much better to allow students to think that we and the English made up all of this legal theory in the 17th and 18th Centuries, isn't it? (sarcasm alert)

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by teatime

Careful of the use of the word "required." At the most, it's a "required" elective and that STILL means kids can choose to take the course, or not. I noticed that the OP has also started a thread polling whether Texas will turn Democratic. Is this one of those politically charged threads, as well?

I don't see what the problem with studying the Bible is. At its base, it's the history of certain peoples and their relationship with their G(g)od. We teach Greco-Roman mythology all of the time, and I used to teach Native American theology, too. What, is no one worried that the kids will be turned toward paganism and/or polytheism by studying those?

I am a Christian and I attend a weekly Bible study at my church. Our rector often brings in Babylonian myth and stories to compare them to Hebrew stories, such as Noah. We also discuss the similarities between Greco-Roman gods and the God of the Old Testament. Intelligent people understand the value in comparative mythology and, no, by using the word mythology, I'm NOT dissing the Bible.

Currently, my Bible study is finishing up the Book of Exodus. It is VERY interesting to discuss the Laws of the Covenant in comparison to current law. Modern jurisprudence has its roots here. But it's much better to allow students to think that we and the English made up all of this legal theory in the 17th and 18th Centuries, isn't it? (sarcasm alert)

We studied the Big Bang Theory in our Adult Sunday School class recently IN a Baptist church. I also know of many atheists that actually LIKE to read and study the Bible. More Christians need to get out from under the rocks and study and learn more about others and science.

BTW, this whole thing is a total NON ISSUE!!!!! If ANYONE had a kid in high school and knew about the new 4x4 requirements they would KNOW that this is going to be totally IMPOSSIBLE! The kids won't have time to take ANY electives even if they were interested in them. Including a study on the Bible.

Perry is SIMPLY POSTURING to try and win the ultra conservatives. Nothing more, nothing less.

[cosmosmom]

The intent of the bill itself I believe to be purely political and not at all practical or serious. There is a church on every nearly every corner here in Texas - if a student wants to learn about the Bible, it is not that hard to do!

Texas lawmakers should be more worried about what would truly benefit our students who face competing in a global market rather than posturing for political gain. Sigh.