Should the Bible be taught in public schools?

Question

In your perspective, tell me what you believe. Whether you're a Christian or not, do you believe the Bible should be taught in school? And I'm not talking about as literature or a history lesson, but really study and learn about the Bible.

Answer 1

As history it's moderately interesting. As science it's uninteresting in its entirety. Math? no contribution. Art? Nothing. Literature? Nothing. The council of Nicea, the imposition of Christianity as a state religion in the late Roman Empire is interesting. Greek and Roman history offer more and yet both are 2000-odd years old. The older the history, the less relevance it has to how we live today (that's a general observation having nothing to do with the 1500-2500 year old history we're talking about). European Renaissance history is more interesting, more relevant than Classical Greece.

In summary, no, it has no special historical value. I'm not Christian. Oh, and you can teach the history of the Catholic Church, you can't really understand European History without it - but that's not in the Bible, right? The Bible is scripture and dry - give me the effects it's had on humanity and I'll draw my own morals.

Answer 2

I don't think you know what you are talking about. You can't teach about god in public schools, this also includes detailed descriptions from the bible. What you can do is tell student that there is a religion called christianity and they follow a bible which is a religious text to help them in their spirituality. You can also study and have bible study sessions after regular school hours as an extra curricular activity as long as it is supported by a faculty member. NO the bible or any specific religion should be taught in public school. That is showing no respect to other people of different religions. You have to present educational material, A) with is factual, and B) which will not offend and will included people of different race gender and religion. You cannot choose sides on religion when you are dealing with a wide variety of different people. That is almost about the same as going into a mixed race school and having a class about the beliefs of the KKK. That would not go over well at all now would it? Ofcourse not. Think this through and don't give me this BS about how "well the bible is only full of good and it won't hurt anybody to know more about it" or "the bible is the true teachings though and is part of our heritage so we should teach it" blah blah blah. Christianity was part of some of our heritage, but it wasn't entirely. Did you people forget about the original americans, the american indians. They sure as heck didn't believe in christianity and they were here way way longer before the pilgrims moved in. How come we don't teach more about their religion. Because we don't want to offend anyone and want to teach on a equal plain with no curve toward one or the other. The founding fathers put that in the consitution for a reason, you should obey it.

Answer 3

No. I am a Christian saying this. If the Bible were taught in public school, many parents would not send their child to a school at all because they don't want other people teaching their child something their family doesn't even believe in. and it would also create a HUGE argument among the atheists and hindus, and buddhists etc. They would all want their religion to be taught also. I don't have any children, but if I did, I wouldn't send my child to a public school that taught the Bible, because when people teach the Bible, they tend to get very biased about it and start putting their opinions as facts. and I don't want my child being taught something that may not even be true. But i also do not think it would be a good idea for the Bible to be taught as a REQUIRED class because they would have to be tested on it and stuff. and many children will find it useless and may even rebell against it because they don't believe it.


I also believe that if a teacher is a Christian, she should not be allowed to put in her opinions in her teaching as they are not everyone else's opinions. But I think if a child asked her personally, she is allowed to give an answer about God as to what she believes....as long as the child asks. or if she is conversation with a child where it is okay to put her opinions in.

But I also think it would be okay to have an OPTIONAL class about the Bible in public school. if the parents want their child to be taught about God but they can't afford a private school, then the public school can provide an optional class for students who will want to, but the thing is, the government won't pay for the supplies or anything that is needed for that class. The school will have to. They can learn about the Bible in there too. Now, if i knew the person who was teaching the class, I would consider letting my child go into it. But not if I don't know the person or their beliefs. The school can provide a class for students to study and learn the Bible, but the government wont pay, the parents may have to. or just the school can have fundraisers. But usually that is what church is for, is to learn about the Bible. But they can make that choice to have an optional class for Christians...cuz i mean after all, the government does address God on the dollar bills, " In God we trust." so the government could also be obliged to pay for some part of the class if there were to ever be one that is optional...but it shouldnt be required.

Answer 4

It is the only book that most folks will riot about or who definitely want to ban..., and the reason is, IT IS ALIVE AND HAS THE TRUTH THAT WILL CONVICT OF SIN AND CAN EVEN GIVE THE SOLUTIONS TO LIFE'S PROBLEMS.
YES, it should be available and have someone teach it that knows the author!
It's NOT a religious book, it's a "life lesson" book.
By the way, it WAS the original and first and ONLY PUBLIC school book printed and circulated for the first public schools in America by the founding fathers..., and don't you forget it!

Answer 5

The secret of all life is balance, so if the Bible is taught then every other 'holy book' should be studied too and I doubt there would be time to do much else! The results of selective studying is apparent in our world with all its religious intolerance and I'm right - you're wrong attitudes. Personally I don't think that any religious doctrine should be force fed to our kids. Lets just teach them to respect one another, to treat each other fairly and with kindness and be tolerant of each other's view of life.

Answer 6

I am Christian and I say no. I do not want to risk having a nonbeliever corrupting or twisting the Word and teaching that to my child. Also, our schools are so burdened now just trying to teach basics to our children. There have been times I have had to correct or elaborate on a teaching that has confused my child because the teacher did not have time to cover the material properly or taught it in a confusing manner. I am happy with having a trained pastor share a sermon and to discuss verses at home with my children.

**The more I think about it the more uneasy I get. Can you imagine a classroom with discussions similar to this forum and then imagine your children being forced to take part in it. I would rather my child have time to develop a core idea of what his beliefs are before he is forced to defend them.

Answer 7

At the risk of having my response seen as subjective, I am displaying my "bravery". The "bible" is considered the holiest of books by christians. The population of this country is so differentiated that for any one religious belief to be represented in the classrooms of public schools is insulting. My solution to this question is for every religious theory represented by the students in the classes be taught in our public schools. My hope is there will be the opportunity for these students to learn more important data that religious theory.

Answer 8

No, absolutely not. And I'm a Christian btw. Do you honestly want the government telling our children about the Bible? Egads, the very thought makes me shudder.

Apparently it did the same for our founding fathers, and they wanted a separation of church and state. We don't want the state in our church business, and teaching our children the Bible is the business of church, not state.

Besides, it would be offensive to others of different faiths, and as Christians, that would be a very unloving thing to do.

Answer 9

The Bible would be a great teacher, but theres one big problem:

Who the heck would trust the teachers to teach the Bible correctly? People distort whats written on this forum day and night.
Do you think I would trust a teacher in a public school to teach it properly?
What happens when the Catholic schools teach religion? They teach children that Eve at a piece of fruit and God condemned them for it. Of course, fruit had nothing whatsoever to do with it, but you will still see people right here on R&S who actually believe it was fruit. Aaahhhhh...........
No way are they teaching my kid.

Answer 10

NO. Why if they are going to teach any religion should it just be Christianity?

They should teach evolution only in public schools, and if people want religion (whichever they choose to follow) then they pay for the tuition in private schools. They can learn that from the relevant religious organisations anyway.