Benefits of Bible study in public schools?

Question

I plan on going to the principal of my school soon, and asking to start organizing an after-school, Student Led, Christian Bible Study... to all those ppl who think this is a violation of the Separation of Church and State... look up the Federal Equal Access Act, before you post anything..

but when i approach the principle i want to have some statistics with me to prove how this will benefit students and the school, make the agreement to have the club, w/o going through a legal debate

specifically:
What percentage of kids attended before/after school bible don't drop out?

What percentage of kids attended before/after school bible studys grades improve after attending said club?


Statistics like this... does anyone have any webpages with said stats? or knows them off the top of their head

I am of a nondenominational church, so i would be plannin on studying The Word, not the religion...

And yes, according to the Equal Access Act, if we are accepted, the school would have to accept all other types of non-curriculum based clubs, or not accept any.. but the problem with my school, is that we do not have any non-ciriculum based clubs at all!

The reason for getting the stats, is to show how this will benefit the students...
such as teens that play sports tend to stay in school longer and have better grades,

my question is, is this true for those that go to after school bible studies?

Answer 1

There are benefits to studying the Bible, regardless of whether you consider it of divine origin or not. You cannot be a proper student of Western literature without having a familiarity with the Old and New Testaments. The impact these two works have had on Western (and global) culture would make ignoring them an intetllectual mistake.

Don't waste your time pursuing websites with statistics that prove staying out of trouble leads to good grades and higher retention rates - that is common sense. Instead try to get the anti-Bible people to confront their phobia and consider them not as Divine Works of God - DESPITE your personal passions - but as valuable tools for understanding our language, history, and culture.

Answer 2

It can be problematic for the school if not all students or parents of the students happen to be Christian. Today's times must take into account political and social correctness for all. Do you believe that there would be no objections voiced if it were Koran studies instead of Bible studies, regardless of how it might be of benefit? Public schools have a difficult enough time doing what they presently do, and wouldn't welcome things that might cause disagreement with other groups that don't think the same way that you do. It might seem like a good idea but, put yourself in non-Christian shoes and see if it still looks good.

Answer 3

So kids who read the bible are better than other kids scholastically? I doubt it.

My son just finished 1st grade. I helped in the classroom 2 days a week with reading and math. BY FAR, the ones I know that come from very religious families that go to church regularly and do family bible study were the worst students. Happy, yes, but at the bottom of both the reading groups and math groups and they didn't seem to care about learning.

During science class, they'd attribute everything to god. "How does a rainbow form?" "GOD!" "Let's discuss evolution..." "IT'S WRONG... GOD MADE US!!!"

It literally made me ill.

I say go ahead and let the kids study the bible rather than math, science and reading. And I'll start a pagan group at my son's school. You'll also need to let the Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, etc. start their own study groups as well.

Answer 4

Yeah, and a thirty minute study of the Koran, The Gita, The Dharma Pada, Liber AL Vel Legis, The Tao Teh Ching, The Talmud [As You would teach the Torah through Christian Lens], and many others. Looks like we have no room left for science, English, or any thing else.

Answer 5

we had focus when I was in high school until we got a new principle. But keep in mind that after-school doesn't count really, it's not the same as studying the bible in science class, is what I mean. It's like using a building for a church that isn't a church during certain hours.

it's still 'free will' to participate or not.

you would just be asking your priciple if you could use the school's cafeteria after school. But you'd need a school employee there to 'watch' since they wouldn't just unlock the cafeteria for you every week. That might be your biggest problem, getting that support.

Answer 6

As long as your principle also allows students of other religions to start similar clubs and it isn't lead by a teacher or mandatory, there is nothing wrong with it. Though I don't think your stats will help any, as studying the bible has very little to do with dropouts or grades.

Answer 7

An after-school bible study is a highly self-selecting group; I doubt very many (if any) students would be affected one way or another in terms of completing high school based on membership in this group. If they're the sort to join a group like this, they're probably self-motivated enough to finish high school. (Unless you plan on guilting marginal students into joining, and then guilt them into finishing high school, but that's a pretty ridiculous proposition.)

Answer 8

I would participate with this idea. I think it is a excellant idea. The only draw back that I can think of is all the things the kids have to do after school, like soccer, baseball, etc. Unless you brought up the idea to have a after school program for 'free' for those children that go to the Boy Scouts, for example. Free meaning they don't have to pay, except donations to help with materials, like books. I really love this idea!

Answer 9

you should. it would benefit many. sorry can't help you with the stats though. I don't think it would really affect the story since school will be out when you start the meeting. there will be oppisition but I have faith in you. It would be great to discuss the bible after school.

Above: rsaunders
yes the courts do support this.we have one

Answer 10

I think you should organize after church science study.

But as far as having bible studies at school, you should think about how you'd feel if someone organized after-school study sessions for other religions, such as Hinduism or Islam or even Wicca or paganism. I would hope you would accept those at your school, too.