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I didn't start the thread or bring a lawsuit against the school.
Why the would a course on the Bible cover all religions? Are you this ing stupid?
I didn't start the thread or bring a lawsuit against the school.
That's a good point. I remember being in Jr. High and and spending half the year in some class (Reading?) studying Greek Mythology. We were all experts by the time we were done. Gaia, Uranus, the ans, all the stories - Zeus turning into a swan to have sex with a mortal women - I knew all that crap, and I guess I still remember some of it. This was in small town Texas, BTW.
My point is, I think we would have all gotten more out of studying the Bible in any capacity for a week than we did studying this pagan religion for months.
"Why the would a course on the Bible cover all religions?"
Are you this ing stupid? Teaching the Bible as religion is not for public schools.
I find it sad that the liberals have no real sense of right
and wrong. Just we have to have justice and peace.
Guess they haven't really read the bible. It teaches the
principles they hold so dear. Also they really don't know
much about American history and who and why it was
founded. They only know the revised history of the U.S.
Some additional info, with links.
http://www.aclu.org/religion/schools...s20070516.htmlThe American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Texas, People For the American Way Foundation, and the law firm of Jenner & Block, LLP filed a federal lawsuit today in the Western District of Texas on behalf of eight parents who say that the Bible course offered in their local high schools violates their religious liberty by promoting particular religious beliefs to children in their community. Some of the parents have children who have graduated from these high schools and some have children who will soon enter them.
Now, I'm not sure it should make a difference whether the lawsuit is brought on behalf of people who have children enrolled in this elective, but it's worth knowing.
http://www.blessedcause.org/Encourag...c%20School.htmSpecifically, the course has five main objectives, as stated in the curriculum:
To equip the student with a fundamental understanding of the important literary forms contained in the Bible, as well as people and symbols often referred to in literature, art, and music;
To equip the student with a fundamental understanding of the influence of the Bible on history, law, American community life and culture;
To give insight into the world views of America's Founding Fathers and to understand the Biblical influences on their views on human rights;
To provide greater knowledge of Middle-Eastern history, geography, religion and politics; and
To inform the students of the importance of religion in world and national history, without imposing the doctrine of any particular religious sect.
Link used instead of the NCBCPS website because it is "down for maintenance."
We can probably take these objectives with a grain of salt, since the objectives may not necessarily reflect the course. According to several sources I've Googled, the NCBCPS is pretty secretive about its actual curriculum and the schools where its textbooks are used. This obviously invites a degree of skepticism about whether the course is appropriate for Public schools.
I'd want to see some citations from the textbook before forming an opinion on it, because I'm not ready to simply take the word of the ACLU and the People for the American Way Foundation.
I think the big debate here is intent, but I don't think that it's relevant. I'm sure that most proponents of the NCBCPS curriculum would love for all students to be converted or strengthened in their faith as a result of this course, but that's not relevant unless it can be shown that the course itself explicitly promotes Christianity.
Unfortunately, it seems like the only people who really know anything about the actual course and curriculum are the ones with some sort of agenda.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.
And here's the link to the story Dan quoted.
http://www.oaoa.com/common/printer/v...odessa&id=2353
It wasn't immediately apparent to me that the first quote applied to the parents and not the ACLU/PFTAWF.
More...
The National Council’s curriculum calls for the King James Version of the Bible to be used with the textbook in its courses. However, ECISD maintains that it allows students to use whatever version they prefer.
This semester — the second the class has been taught — 21 Odessa High students and 63 Permian students signed up for the course.
Despite allegations in the lawsuit, some Permian students said the Bible classes present material as a literature course from a historical perspective.
“It’s an unbiased curriculum,” said Emily Bradford, a junior taking this class this semester. “However, I can see people being upset with it being only Christian-based. I think it should be a World Religion class.”
Permian senior Kelly Combs, though noting he’s never taken the Bible class, said he considers the course just another history class.
“It seems to me that if kids have an interest in anything, they should have the opportunity to be exposed to that. Our ancestors came to America to have Christian religious freedom,” he said.
In the mean time, one of the plaintiffs in the case brought Wednesday, Doug Hildebrand, an ordained deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Odessa, said teaching religion doesn’t belong in the public school system.
“Taypayer money should not be used to teach a certain religion in public schools,” he said, noting it belongs in the church or at home.
He also said the classes — lacking the appearance of transparency in the public eye — leave him somewhat uncomfortable.
“It seems the to me that some church has invaded our school district, and it’s not my church,” he said.
Another plaintiff, Lori White, said she’s a firm believer in a separation of church and state, and therefore, she finds the Bible curriculum to impose on her cons utional rights when religion should be taught at home.
“The class needs to go away,” she said. “It’s the National Bible Curriculum. That’s not something that’s ever going to be appropriate for public education.”
Roland kermann, a parent of two elementary students and a plaintiff in the case, said the class should cover how the Bible is viewed in other religions to be more objective.
“The Bible will mean different things to different people,” he said.
David Newman, a parent of a ninth-grade student and a plaintiff in the case, said people should review the case and its background before drawing conclusions about the lawsuit before relying on instincts.
Newman said the class doesn’t reflect the religious mainstream, and, as a teacher himself, that doesn’t sit well with him.
“As an educator, I find that very disturbing because it is reductive. It is simplistic. It is the an hesis of a course that would engender critical thought,” he said.
Newman said the class should allow students the chance to ask questions that promote actual learning in the classroom.
Wow, that's really funny. Do you have anymore or know of a website where I might be able to find more of these gems?
In the beginning there was nothing...then Chuck Norris Roundhouse kicked that nothing in the face and said "Get a job". That is the story of the universe.
What's the use of having right and wrong if there is no justice?
The Bible was originally led "Chuck Norris and Friends"
When God said, "let there be light", Chuck Norris said, "say 'please'."
According to the Bible, God created the universe in six days. Before that, Chuck Norris created God by snapping his fingers.
Good link. The Chancey Report is very detailed and well do ented.
Keep it going.....
"Did I ever tell you about the time Brasky took me out to go get a drink with him? We go off looking for a bar and we can't find one. Finally Brasky takes me to a vacant lot and says, 'Here we are.' We sat there for a year and a half — until sure enough, someone constructs a bar around us. Well, the day they opened we ordered a shot, drank it, and then burned the place to the ground. Brasky yelled over the roar of the flames, 'Always leave things the way you found 'em!'"
One of the best courses I ever took in undergrad was "The Bible as Literature." However, I do think that it is a subject matter that must be taught by someone who is well-versed in the area because students will have questions and there will be debate in the class. That's why I really feel that subject is more appropriate at the college level. I just don't think high school teachers can pull it off without being overly supportive or overly critical of The Bible.
Last edited by Mr. Peabody; 05-30-2007 at 03:30 PM.
college boy, huh? figures, what with all of your fancy liberal ideals.
Yeah, my formal education was in college, but my real education came from the mean streets of the Southside.
I've learned to ignore boutons_'s hateful rants.... His skewed perspective on life is utterly bitter. Never an objective comment or any middle ground... Whatever
If he could have his way Religion would be completely wiped off the face of the planet. As if humans alone could prevent their own destruction. Man is corrupt and vile. For every act of compassion or 'goodness' that we see humans beget 100s of other acts of greed, hate, and evil. It's a degenerative cycle, that will ultimately lead to our downfall.
HOPE, however, was restored to humanity via Christ's subs utionary and atoning sacrifice. It's a "take it or leave it deal" and everyone shall decide for themselves. If boutons_ or Nbadan don't want any part of it... so be it. No one is forcing their hand. They can't stand there, however and pretend that they are completely objective on the matter. Their opinion is no more powerful than mine.
It's an elective for crying out loud! Do I condone public school proselytizing? No. But that's not their rift. They can't even tolerate the existence of the class to begin with, nevermind the actual subject matter, or the manner in which they are taught. "Let's all assume the worst and bash them for it!!!" Right
"wiped off the face of the planet"
ing straw man, post a link.
religions, esp the Bible-thumping assholes, wiped out of public schools and out of government, yes.
believe any old fairy tale, just don't impose your childish beliefs on others through public funds.
Really??? How about every other post from you??... it would take me hours to compile all your bitter banter.
Some of your implicit comments are rather explicit and pretty transparent.
Which is why we should just assume the worst? Great logic.
Not only that . . . he does not know how to use the "quote" function.
"How about every other post from you?"
how about a link where I want to wipe religion off the planet, as your bull says? put up or STFU with your bull .
Last edited by boutons_; 05-30-2007 at 07:47 PM.
Kind of ironic. You have a big problem with people teaching Christianity in an elective course. It's not even required course material to graduate, you ing .
I know you're like 12, but when you graduate and maybe go to ACC or SAC or something, you'll realize that publically funded ins utions of higher learning have a broad offering of religious studies courses which are also *gasp* electives.
Ah it, you're too stupid to understand. I'll dumb it down for you - the day I see you ing about Muslims and why they aren't teaching Christianity in their schools over in the Mideast, you can have your pissant soap box about this course in Odessa.
Until then STFU.
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