My principal wants us to read the Bible to our public school students even though she know it is against the law. She says that we must teach the Bible to the children so that they will become Christian.
We are in the book of Isaiah and next week we will come to the following passage. How do I explain it?
Isaiah 36:12 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
12But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?
Will this children think that the Bible was written by a dirty-minded person?
2006-12-26 01:18:22 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am going to take your advice and report her. However, until I read that verse in preparation for my class, I never knew that these words were in the Bible. I don't get it.
2006-12-26 01:33:18 · update #1
You need to report your principal to the school board. That is totally inappropriate. It's not her place to determine what religion the children are. How would she feel if someone were trying to make everyone in her children's school Jewish? If she feels that strongly about it, she should consider a job at a perochial school.
Kris Tamar - My point wasn't whether or not the passage was Jewish, but was in response to the principal trying to convert everyone to be Christian. Is it okay to convert people to be Christian if you use a "Jewish" passage?
2006-12-26 01:21:39 · answer #1 · answered by leaptad 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
That is really out of line to share with most people, in this case if he Principal has instructed you to do so , just refuse. I am a teacher, and also one of the Bible.
Helping somebody become a Christian, is a careful work. This passage sounds indeed hostile for any person to assimilate. Jesus used the Hebrew Scriptures applicably, something like this text, which has to do with a taunting of the True God ,by his enemies-- Jesus would apply to the religious leaders. How are you going to explain the situation , unless you take a major portion of your teaching time?
School is for educating-there could be a way of sharing a thought from the Scriptures in an educational way, but to teach the Bible outright in a public school, could jeopardize your teaching. You need to be careful.
2006-12-26 09:42:59 · answer #2 · answered by THA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well first of all a christian does not go against the authorities. This issue is not giving a christian witness nor does it give glory to God or his Kingdom.
King James version, well , there are much better and more accurate translations than the King James.
Your translation is something to ponder, but anyway, the context is that turning away from God's laws and standards in comparison to what false religion has to offer is as such eating their own dung. Your instructor could do a lot better in making a point.
2006-12-26 09:25:15 · answer #3 · answered by fire 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, As I have not read the full bible, I'm not sure if you're lying. The verse sounds kind of messed up. But if you are telling the truth then you need to stop reading the bible to these student and report her. That is totally illegal! Even if you think back a long long long long time ago you'll see in the Declaration Of Independence "Freedom Of Religion". If you teach these kids Christianity you're going to screw up when you get to the Declaration Of Independence and one of the children asks "Then why did you read the Christian bible to us?". It'll happen. And if a child doesn't ask that, then when the child gets home from school and the parent asks "What did you do/learn at school today?" then they'll ask it. They'll be EXTREMELY mad if they're not Christian! Don't continue with this, no matter what the principal says.
2006-12-26 09:28:43 · answer #4 · answered by Phil 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am a Christian and I have a problem with what you are doing. The public school funds are there for you to teach the school curriculum. If that is NOT what you are doing then what you are doing needs to be reported to the State Department of Education in whatever state you are living in. This principal may think what they are doing is "OK" but it is NOT! You are being paid by state and federal funds not "PRINCIPAL's FUNDS". I am sorry that you are forced to ask such a question at all. If you need someone else to report this then get the word out to someone who will do so! I hope that this helps.
Eds
Eds
2006-12-26 09:25:00 · answer #5 · answered by Eds 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That's ridiculous. First thing is taking the verse in context...Rabshekah was a servant of Sennacherib, King of Assyria who were in the process of conquering the Jews. The people on the wall were the Jews who were guarding the city against the Assyrians, so Rabshekah insults them by saying this. He is being cruel because the Jews will not bow before the king of Assyria.
ed
Leaptad - this passage IS Jewish...
2006-12-26 09:31:22 · answer #6 · answered by Krys Tamar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't teach in a private school or a Sunday school class. You should NOT obey your principal. I wouldn't like it if the public teachers here in Utah started teaching the Book of Mormon to my kids. So it's not right that public funded schools choose a religion to teach. Stand up for your American Liberty and refuss to obey an illegal order... Jim
2006-12-26 10:29:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're bluffing but ill answer you anyway...
Hezekiah’s representatives are concerned about the effect that Rabshakeh’s arguments will have on the men who can hear him from the top of the city wall. These Jewish officials request: “Speak, please, to your servants in the Syrian language, for we are listening; and do not speak to us in the Jews’ language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.” (Isaiah 36:11) But Rabshakeh has no intention of speaking in the Syrian language. He wants to sow seeds of doubt and fear in the Jews so that they will surrender and Jerusalem can be conquered without a fight! (Isaiah 36:12) Hence the Assyrian speaks again in “the Jews’ language.” He warns the inhabitants of Jerusalem: “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you people, for he is not able to deliver you.” Following this, he tries to tempt those listening by painting a picture of life as it could be for the Jews under Assyrian rule: “Make a capitulation to me and come out to me and eat each one from his own vine and each one from his own fig tree and drink each one the water of his own cistern, until I come and actually take you to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards.”—Isaiah 36:13-17.
2006-12-26 09:31:09 · answer #8 · answered by Gizelle K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The king Sennacherib of Assyria is mocking Israel's God and those who trust in Him. In chapter 37 verses 5-7 Isaiah is comforting the king Hezekiah with words from God on this matter. All those who mock God will share similar fates.
2006-12-26 10:03:40 · answer #9 · answered by I-o-d-tiger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I am one that believes in Prayer in school this problem that you have come against is one of the reasons why I don't agree with those that don't know trying to teach the Bible.
To ask a fifth grade student to explain this verse is foolish as there are seminary students that would stumble over it.
2006-12-26 09:48:42 · answer #10 · answered by drg5609 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋