Atlanta Vampire Alliance [AVA]

Merticus · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject: Bible Classes In Public School?

Georgia Moves Closer on School Bible Classes
By DOUG GROSS
AP

ATLANTA (March 9) - Georgia is poised to introduce two literature classes on the Bible in public schools next year, a move analysts say would make the state the first to take an explicit stance endorsing - and funding - biblical teachings. The Bible already is incorporated into some classes in Georgia and other states, but some critics say the board's move, which makes the Bible the classes' main text, treads into dangerous turf.

On a list of classes approved Thursday by the Georgia Board of Education are Literature and History of the Old Testament Era, and Literature and History of the New Testament Era. The classes, approved last year by the Legislature, will not be required, and the state's 180 school systems can decide for themselves whether to offer them.

The school board's unanimous vote set up a 30-day public comment period, after which it is expected to give final approval.

Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams, the Republican who sponsored the plan, said the Bible plays a major role in history and is important in understanding many classic literary works.

"It's not just 'The Good Book,"' Williams said. "It's a good book."

Charles Haynes of the First Amendment Center, a nonpartisan civil liberties group, has said the Georgia policy is the nation's first to endorse and fund Bible classes on a statewide level.

The bill approved overwhelmingly in the Legislature was tailored to make it clear the courses would not stray into religious teaching, Williams said.

The measure calls for the courses to be taught "in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students."

But critics say that while the language may pass constitutional muster, that could change in the classroom if instructors stray.

Maggie Garrett, legislative counsel for the Georgia branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the curriculum approved Tuesday - like the Legislation itself - is vague.

"They didn't put in any outlines describing what they can and can't do constitutionally," she said. "The same traps are there for teachers who decide to teach the class."

Some teachers might seek to include their own beliefs or be pushed by students into conversations that include religious proselytizing, Garrett said.

During last year's campaign-period legislative session, Democrats surprised majority Republicans by introducing a plan to teach the Bible in public schools. Republicans, who control both chambers, quickly responded with their own version, which passed and was signed into law by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Eclecta · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:26 pm Post subject:

Another reason to be liberaterian.
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Amber Mallis · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 413 Location: Florida, U.S.

That sounds kind of crazy.
I really don't understand schooling systems though? The public schools all go along with "Evolution", whilst we don't really ALL need to know that? (Yeah, as you noticed, I DID fail science more than once, but I didn't fail Astronomy, though Pluto was still considered a planet! Very Happy

) But, I don't know, I'm still confused by the school boards...

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Maloryn · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:25 pm Post subject:

If I thought it were possible to actually teach about the history and impact without straying into teachers trying to convert students, I might actually think this is a good thing.

L and I were having a conversation the other day about xians and how those who weren't raised that way have issues understanding some of the things that make them tick. This is somewhat dangerous as a clear majority of the USA (even those who no longer subscribe to that belief structure) tend to follow those tenets / moral guidelines.

Sadly, I have to agree though. Bad idea, especially in GA.

---Mal

Sandy · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 644

I agree it would be hard to teach such a class with out bias.
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CeruleanTwilight · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:46 pm Post subject:

When I was in high school, for AP senior English summer reading, I had to read the Book of Job. We discussed the story and it was not a religion discussion or test that followed. It was a literature test and discussion and I had no problem with it.

That being said, I hardly think this is a good idea. I don't think that the school can really make this work in GA. Even if the class is designed to be as a literature class, you know that most of the kids who take this are going to be Christians who are taking because they want to or because their parents make them. The debates and discussions daily would be steered into a religion debate by these students, I'm sure.

I just don't think this is a good idea in the Bible belt. I can't see how they could control this enough and can you imagine the debates and bitter words this would cause? This would be a teacher's nightmare of a class to be assigned, I would think.
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CeruleanTwilight · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:46 pm Post subject:

When I was in high school, for AP senior English summer reading, I had to read the Book of Job. We discussed the story and it was not a religion discussion or test that followed. It was a literature test and discussion and I had no problem with it.

That being said, I hardly think this is a good idea. I don't think that the school can really make this work in GA. Even if the class is designed to be as a literature class, you know that most of the kids who take this are going to be Christians who are taking because they want to or because their parents make them. The debates and discussions daily would be steered into a religion debate by these students, I'm sure.

I just don't think this is a good idea in the Bible belt. I can't see how they could control this enough and can you imagine the debates and bitter words this would cause? This would be a teacher's nightmare of a class to be assigned, I would think.
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UTAHVAMP · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Utah

Being religious myself I would say the aspect of this is a really good one, but would it actually work kind of doubt it. State and religion should never mix. I mean learning of the bible would definitely be good for children and maybe the next generation will have better morals than most do now, but at the same time everyone has the right to their own religious practices and if your not offering them all in school then none should be offered. It sonly fair, and technically I doubt most schools would allow Satanism to be practiced…lol. So how could this really be a fair thing to those involved? If it was a voluntary class offered that may work.
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nightchild · Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 1127 Location: Belgium

i can agree with utahvamp on mixed religious teachings some grew up with xian teachings whilst another grows up with the moderen satansime.Some grow with with wicca or masonic believes there are 3 world religiouns and now ppl tend to go with buddhisme.ppl will not be forced into having to follow anothers way of life. I Europe there are alot of muslims some see it a threat to there believe's. That's why i would say as many have agreed it's not a wise choice to force believe unto ppl they must choose for themselves.The last school i went to was mixed more fun then beeing told what to believe.
i choose luciferian (not the Zandor lavey's)good author.
neo-paganism,buddhisme,masonic,some xian let's just say i like a cocktail.
knowledge is power.
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Amber Mallis · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 413 Location: Florida, U.S.

cathmael · Guest

As a period literary work, the Bible is amazing. So long as they keep it subjective and don't try to convert the students or punish them for any of their views....that would suck.

What may happen as it does with most things, folks will start trying to get faith based stuff into the schools now that they are teaching about the bible (note I didn't say "teaching The Bible," which means "theology" or a seminarian course). They should also cover the Q'aran in the same course, it is also an amazing work.

I'd say they could also try to cover the Tibetan book of the Dead, but it's only a single year of school....

So yeah, it's going to come down to how people behave when their kid comes home from school after learning a critical literary point that doesn't necessarily support their scofield-reference-bred religous point of view. I can be there are going to be a lot of parents up in arms about how it doesn't teach it as the "word of God."

Lunara · Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 76

Hmmm I suppose it's not as bad as what it could be.
Public schools are getting better about making sure
every religion is included.

I probably wouldn't mind my child learning this things, simply
because I would want him or her to be secular and worldly
rather than closed minded or ignorant.

But, I was never pushed into religion.

It's just how I was raised. To be who I feel comfortable.