For proponents of mandatory Bible study and prayer in public education...?

Question

What sort of prayers are we speaking of here? Catholic? Protestant? Mormon?

I doubt Evangelicals would be pleased if their children prayed to the saints and gave confession.

And I really doubt that the Catholics would be please if their children read the KJV and learned about how wonderful Martin Luther was.

Answer 1

I don't think we should have either, but as a literature teacher I'd like to see a class with the Bible as literature because there are so many Biblical allusions in Western lit, and so many kids don't know them. Personally, I don't want to see anything dealing with religion to be mandatory in any form in public.

Answer 2

I do not believe that Martin Luther followed the KJV BIBLE to the letter either. However, I believe that what we are doing in schools is almost enough now. Students should be able to read, study, and learn about GOD on their own without any assistance from the teaching staff. Anytime that public educators get involved with something, it always seems to get even more messed up. I do not believe that we need to put any more restrictions on the mentioning of GOD in schools than we already have. GOD is a part of our country's beginnings and HE has been a part of everything that has happened here. Why stop now??
Eds

Answer 3

This is one of the reasons why I don't understand the civil religion that the modern evangelical movement has created in this country, through the Religious Right. God has not made a covenant with America the same way he did with Israel. Although, following Judeo-Christan values would be good for the country, it will not bring about the same blessing as Israel received for following God's Law. Remember, a lot of Christian groups immigrated to the United States to escape religious persecution and obtain freedom of religion.

To be honest, I live in a part of the country that is predominately Methodist, then Baptist. I wouldn't want my kid to be indoctrinated by either group. That is why I will pay to send my child to our church's school. Although, I am not for one certain denomination running the public schools, I am not for the schools discriminating against Christianity while they prop up other religions like Secular Humanism.

P.S.- Our church does not participate in the Boy/Girl Scouts and other ecumenical religious organizations.

Answer 4

I'm for prayer in schools. When i was growing up, we had "prayer". this meant that everyone came in and had quiet time before school began. it allowed those who were religious to pray if they wanted. It let other children just have a chance to calm down. I loved quiet time even as a child, and as an adult i appreciate the ability it gave me to calm down from my hectic morning schedule and get ready for school.

we also had bible study in school. This meant that we read an assortment of religious texts, creation stories, etc. it was actually taught by a teacher who was atheist. it gave me insight into other cultures, and belief systems. It completely changed the way i looked at religion and people, and helped me get past the idea of different cultures as alien "other".

in short, this isn't bad. they took something that was good and made it an "Evangelical vs atheist" thing and it isn't even close. it was an unnecessary fight that took our focus off of the real issue- that we can no longer AFFORD to have social studies classes, world culture classes. Or that perhaps some mediation earlier on in the day will help children be less dependent on their adhd drugs, so they can use their medicine as a way to establish good skills and later wean themselves off, instead of being pill poppers for the rest of their lives.

Answer 5

I see nothing wrong with having RELIGIOUS studies in public school, given how diverse our country is becoming. But that means teaching about all religions, and atheism, in equal depth. You don't spend 6 months on Christianity, one on Judaism, one on Islam and cram the rest into the remaining school year. If you want to introduce Bible study into the classroom, you must give the non-Abrahamic traditions the same amount of attention.

BB
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Answer 6

Are there really any proponents of mandatory Bible study and prayer in public education?

Answer 7

The Bible is clear enough.
Martin Luther was very accurate.
Truth bites sometimes.
Have a good day.