Should elective Bible history classes be taught in public schools? That is the core question surrounding a proposal to have Bible history and literature classes taught in local high schools.
Suzanne Hudgens, wife of Sen. Ralph Hudgens, has recently approached both the Jefferson and Jackson County boards of education in a bid to have the school systems start the controversial Bible classes. She told the Jackson County Board of Education Monday night the course would be inexpensive to teach and that any teacher could lead the class.
But the issue is much more complex than Mrs. Hudgens portrays. Few schools have chosen to implement the elective class because doing so creates a minefield of problems for everyone involved.
Would proponents of these classes be in favor if they were to be taught by an avowed atheist? Or what if someone of another faith, say Islam, were to teach the class?
The Bible is indeed a document of literature and history. But teaching it in isolation is an invitation for creating problems, not the least of which would be class discussions that wander into a variety of controversial social, political and religious debates. To pretend that these classes would somehow be isolated from such controversy is to deny human —especially teenagers — nature.
The result would be an ongoing buzz of controversy stemming from the class. There is no way to teach a class about the Bible sans interpretations; and these interpretations by both teacher and students would undoubtedly create friction with those who hold different views. To think that a school could teach a Bible course without the injection of theology is folly.
Are our public schools, with all their other problems, prepared to deal with the fallout of controversy that would surely come from these classes?
Many of those who support the idea of teaching the Bible in public schools no doubt have good intentions. But it is more appropriate that parents, private schools and churches teach the Bible — or any other religious text for that matter — framed with their own theological viewpoints rather than tossing it like a grenade into the public schools.
Let’s let our public schools focus on other issues without having this unnecessary distraction.
So, I take it that you believe that you are open minded since it seems you have put down the majority of the community who according to you are not. However, at the same time it appears to be you that is having the problem because it is you putting down others by saying that they are not open minded & have "hard headed opinions". I haven't heard anyone that is for teaching this class making assumptions about you, or others who oppose it.
You also say, "stop trying to force your religion down everyone's throats". Well, if you are so "open minded", why not try being a little more so towards this Bible class?
Perhaps it is you that needs to expand your mind a bit and be more open to those who are different and don't share the same views that you do. Why don't you stop projecting your faults onto others and be more accepting of other peoples religions, including Christians? Or is it only Christianity that you have a problem with?
I do not respond this way in order to "attack" you or anyone else for that matter. I am responding this way on behalf of not only myself, but the community as well. A community that does not enjoy being misjudged based upon the fact that it is small, southern and mostly Christian.
Where, when and to whom did I make this statement? I do not recall having said anything of that nature. Can you refresh my memory?
They are NOT trying to force their religion down everyones throat. IF you read the article it clearly states it would be an elective class.
With that said, I don't think it would be a good idea to teach the bible in public schools, but as with the church you belong to, you should ALWAYS be sure that whoever is teaching your children is teaching in line with your belief's(even within the same sect's or even priest to priest there are different interpretation of the bible). It is the JOB of a parent to make sure someone isnt teaching things to their children(IE: religion VS evolution) that are not in line with their belief's.
If this is indeed true, then your instructors or administrators were directly demanding that you violate the Constitution of the United States of America.
Amendment I:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
By not allowing a student to take the Bible out of his or her bag, constitutes a violation of the free exercise clause.
You guessed it: is isn't there! And, while I did NOT mention any child ministering to another child, a child is entirely within their rights to have a Bible out in school (so long as it is not interfering with their assigned school work) and to read it for whatever reason.
In fact, recent court victories for the rights of students to bring and read a Bible at school have been won in Florida, Illinois and Washington. These judgement were based on State Constitutions since this activity was not expressly forbidden in the US Constitution, therefore there was no federal jurisdiction in this matter.
It seems also, that you are having a problem with the way schools are ordered to teach evolution. You know, there are TONS of Christian private schools, as well as pockets of Christian parents who teach their children at home. If you are putting your child in a public school, then expect what the Federal government mandates to teach and stop bellyaching. You have many other choices.
As far as a parent's JOB to monitor what a child is taught, I KNOW who you are, and you confuse high-level teaching (which your son needs) to fanaticism. You should be singing my praises because I cared enough about the intellegence of your son not to insult it with information he's already received. Gifted children should be challange, not appeased. You were a royal pain in my butt, because you have a control problem and demand teaching be done your way. It was your way or the highway, and you let the principal know on a daily basis. Not every kid can sit and read the book and answer the questions. You call that teaching? Take your kid out and teach him at home because he is a prime candidate as he needs no guidance. Did he tell you about the last lesson I was able to get in before you did me in? I linked Bach's baroque era with the Andrew Lloyd Webber era and then to punk rock. I also taught the art of the Middle ages and how it evolved. I also taught about the Muslim religion and the fact the the Jihad was a fanatical sect. Your son ate it up. But thanks to you, you drove an EXCELLENT teacher nuts. You didn't appreciate the advanced learning that was going on in my classroom, nor did you care that the poor students on the very low end were finally GETTING IT!
You were angry when I assigned your child homework or a nine weeks project. The project was NOT about a family tree, but about Acculturation - where did your family come from, what are their stories and WHO are you? The kids LOVED it. It opened a dialogue between the grandparents and the students. I have done this. I have proof that I am a direct descendant of Charles 1, James 2, Edward 4, Mary Queen of Scotts. I'm a real-life princess. You should bow at my feet! I am also a direct descendant of Queen Isabella of Spain (remember, she funded Columbus?). She was fro the Italsian family of the Medici who are linked to Mary Magdeline and Jesus' daughter (if you believe in the gnostic gospels). So not am I a genuine, blue blooded princess, but supposedly a descendant of Jesus! I am also a cousin of W. and Queen Elisabeth of Spain. Now, what did your son learn during his nine weeks project? Nothing. He turned in a mediocre family tree.
Get a job or take up knitting and stay out of the schools and the highly trained teacher's faces!
Okay, so here you are lumping all Christians together once again & insulting us, once again. So, I will ask once again, who is the intolerant one? To me, it looks like all the intolerance is clearly coming from you. Oh, and I'd like a real answer this time, not a bunch of off-topic nonsense. You claim to have all this "royal" ancestry, but really what good is it being a direct descendant of Mary Queen of Scotts for someone like you who complains about being broke & out of a job? What has it gotten you, what good is it doing you now? Perhaps you should phone your royal clan & ask for a loan; then you wouldn't be broke. Afterall, it's family helping family, right? I'm sure they would be glad to help out during your long temporary hardship. Good day!
Also from what I read you OPPOSE bringing religion into the schools. In you're last rambling statement about your "Royal" lineage you stated that YOU taught about the muslim religion!! What's up with that?? It's OK for you to teach about a religion but not OK for anyone else to teach about a religion?? OH YEAH - I guess that's because you're a "direct descendent of Jesus Christ" & we should bow at your feet - right? I get it know.
Hey here's another thought - if you don't like Georgia you always have the option to move??? I hear Spain is nice this time of year or maybe France??? I'm sure you could find some civilized county somewhere that would recognize your "Royal" blood line.
Keep workin on your act - I look forward to your reading your next act.
But, back to the discussion at hand. Although all education is religious (after all, even humanism and secularism are religions), and I am a definite Bible-believer, I must say that there is no place for the Bible in today's schools. Not when the teacher could be gay (what a misnomer of a term that is), Muslim, a satan-worshipper, or any other kind of unbeliever.
If people want to study the Bible, let them wipe the dust off the one they have at home and start reading it!
God Himself says, "Cast ye not your pearls before swine," and "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly".
Am I being crucified or what? I taught about Islam because it was required as per the text book of the Social Studies class I was teaching! HAH! And I guess all of you have your panties so tightly in a wad that you don't recognize sarcasm when you see it.
The Bible is not taught because the schools are funded by the State - a government intitution. Why ask the state to pay for your child to learn what he/she should be learning in church. If they aren't then I think you should fire your preachers, not the teachers.
If you prefer to continue to confuse state funded education with church, perhaps it would be better for you to teach your child at home so they can be sheltered from the world. FYI, education is a Socialist institution, and MANDATED BY LAW that your child attend until age 16. Is that freedom?
As far as the Bible classes, I know much more than most of you, not because I was taught in Sunday school, or Catholic school, or my non- Christian friends, but because I have taken it upon myself to be a life-long learner of religious faith.
FYI: My sister is a minister and regularly goes to third world countries on missions. Another sister goes on missions as well. There is a plethera of religion in my family. I am not a bad person, but prefer to reserve the RIGHT (as in the Constitution) to practise as I please - in this case I prefer abstinance. However, because I am NOT fanatically involved in ANY religious belief, I think I would be a prime candidate for teaching the BIBLE AS LITERATURE as I would have no pre-concieved notions to press upon my pupils. There is no open-mindedness allowed here, and the people of this region are far too quick to jump to conclusions as shoot the messanger. Can you stop and THINK, or is that too liberal or too difficult for you?
Why are you stoning an innocent woman with views she is guartanteed by the Constitution of this great United States? Do you realize the Pilgrims fled Europe because of people like you?
This is a land of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. How many of you are allowing this woman those freedoms?
This woman taught my child at WJMS. She was the best teacher I've ever seen. My son hated school, but would come home everyday talking about how great Social Studies was. He loved learning in her class. His grades went up too. THINK about what you are doing to this woman and THINK about your freedoms and rights!
Stop being crazy. She hasn't sone anything wrong, and YOU drove her to retire! It was a huge loss for WJMS.
However, I do not think that right wing Christian elitists would be able to handle this and I guess that rules this out as an opting for Jackson County and much of the rest of the South East. Open mind/Insert knowledge…
I am glad to hear that someone shares my perspective. I, too, feel the Bible is an excellent source of information, literally and historically. I wish it COULD be offered as a class in the bible belt, but find that too many people have their own interpretation and whosoever taught the class would be martyred.
I once taught a simple Social Studies class and a preacher (whom I never met)complained publicly through an editorial that his granddaughter was having her mind washed with liberal views. It was during the beginning of the war when senses and opinions were hightened. We had a class discussion where, during the course of liberation, THE STUDENTS came to the conclusion that the US should not be in Iraq since it didn't make sense because Iraq was innocent of the attack on 9/11. I refused to change my teaching style (being from the big free thinking city of Orlando) because I felt strongly that the children needed to learn all opinions about world events and allow them to make up their minds. The stress of this public editorial was a big reason I had to resign at WJMS. Some noisy and powerful parents wanted the kids to read and answer questions, with no interaction or discussion. The noisy wheel got the grease, despite the disservice to the majority of the other students who were thriving at my alternative teaching style. Now, I remain blacklisted in Jackson, Hall, Gwinnett, and Barrow Counties. I have been unable to secure a teaching position since, despite my glowing reviews.
This brings me to the catch-22 situation of teaching the Bible. Here in Jackson, there will always be parents wary of what is going on in the classroom, and the teacher would be severly inhibited in teaching continent, no matter how accurate or benign the subject would be.
A good Bible History class would be nice. After all, other than God's word, the Bible is also a fascinating history book! If taught factually, as history only, then it wouldn't be controversial. It's just that certain people want to put their own agendas on our kids. Talk about sex at church. That would help a lot!