Bible as Literature

[Hugh B]

Here is another interesting topic for discussion.

Should the Bible be taught in the public schools as a book of literature?

[yellowirenut]

I have read it once (in basic training) and if you look at it as a story and not a religious text...i believe its a good read. Though the part where they go into the hereditary for 50 pages is very dry. Its also a VERY VERY long book to read..longer than Beowulf. A very condensed version would have to be used.

[bootlen]

Originally Posted by yellowirenut

I have read it once (in basic training) and if you look at it as a story and not a religious text...i believe its a good read. Though the part where they go into the hereditary for 50 pages is very dry. Its also a VERY VERY long book to read..longer than Beowulf. A very condensed version would have to be used.

The whole of Scripture can pretty much be summed up in one verse. "God made Him who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God through Him." But then, if we do not want to know the details, we are not really paying attention to what this passage says.

[ckartson]

I see no reason that it shouldn't be. It is literature. Public school isn't endorsing the content. Fiction or fact is up to the readers views and religious beliefs. Many fictional books contain insight as to lifestyles and living conditions and the way the world was perceived at the time it was written.
Good post!

[yellowirenut]

Originally Posted by bootlen

The whole of Scripture can pretty much be summed up in one verse. "God made Him who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God through Him." But then, if we do not want to know the details, we are not really paying attention to what this passage says.

true but you see it as scripture..where as if students had to read it in a public school it would be read as a work of literature. Its hard to separate the two when in belief the bible is the word of God. I do believe that is something the OP is asking, if it can be separated.

[bootlen]

Originally Posted by yellowirenut

true but you see it as scripture..where as if students had to read it in a public school it would be read as a work of literature. Its hard to separate the two when in belief the bible is the word of God. I do believe that is something the OP is asking, if it can be separated.

Maybe you haven't heard. "The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation."

[Andy Schoen]

Our current notion of separation of church and state is so far out of whack with what Jefferson intended. Jefferson simply believed, and IMHO correctly so, that it was not the business of our national government to establish a religion. That's it.

A secular review of religious beliefs taught in our public schools would be perfectly acceptable from Jefferson's point of view. And it would not be as difficult to do as one might suspect. But the ACLU, et al would have a tizzy fit if this were to occur.

[acmanko]

If the Bible was taught by a consortium of teachers with different religious backgrounds, for a more diverse understnding, I would say yes. But to have some bozo teach a myoptic view, I would say NO

[zachhvac]

Funny topic , no really funny, of course they should at least expose people to it but it will never happen. They are too busy teaching the lie called evolution.

[bootlen]

Originally Posted by acmanko

If the Bible was taught by a consortium of teachers with different religious backgrounds, for a more diverse understnding, I would say yes. But to have some bozo teach a myoptic view, I would say NO

Oh. You mean like let a lawyer teach medicine, a mechanic teach civil law, and a doctor teach auto mechanics. Great plan.

[coolwhip]

Originally Posted by Hugh B

Here is another interesting topic for discussion.

Should the Bible be taught in the public schools as a book of literature?

Nope!...the Bible is to kept at church (Gods franchise) and has no place in public schools.

I don't want idiot teachers with lackey education degrees putting nonsense in my kids head....I'm the only one that's allowed to do that!

[mikethe ductman]

I have no problem if they discuss the bible, but not teach it.

[corny]

The problem in america today would be that if they let them teach...or discuss the bible in school then they would have to allow equal opportunity for all the other major religions plus every "crackpot" religion out there.....and then you would have the athiests and their lawsuits......

So...we know it will never happen......but if it did we would be taxed beyond death paying for all the new classrooms and teachers....and our children would suffer because the local school boards would probably have to drop subjects like math, science, english....just to make room for the new religious book teaching.

It would be a mess......