Should the Bible be taught in school?

Question

Should the Bible be taught in school?
Well then how about the Vedas and Upanishads
The Quran maybe?
How about the Buddhist texts?
etc. etc. etc.
Or should we make religious leaders teach evolution in their churches?

Answer 1

no bibles in school.

Answer 2

No, and yes.

Public schools are not the proper place for teaching religion; as you and others have pointed out, if it's done for one then it must very carefully and scrupulously be done for all. Frankly, I don't think any primary or secondary curriculum has enough time to devote to that kind of undertaking, nor is it the best use of resources -- quite aside from the political and sensitivity issues, which are considerable.

The question is more properly, do religious texts have a place in public school studies at all? Yes, I think they do, when it's appropriate to the subject matter being studied. You can't really teach history without at least some reference to religious texts that motivated many history-makers. That's not "teaching the Bible" (or the Quran, etc.), but using it for illustration and background. Same for teaching about literature and literary forms, or world cultures.

Teaching the Bible as I think you mean it, though, is appropriately done in private (religious) schools, homes, and/or church. Most devout parents of any faith already see to this, and don't look to the public schools to do it for them.

As for evolution -- well, it's there, and it's taught, and folks who have an issue with it need to explain their objections to their kids. You're not likely to find a religious leader who sees his holy book and evolution as an apples-and-apples tradeoff, and I'm not sure it is, either. But I do take your point.

Answer 3

In many schools, the Bible as well as other religious texts are taught as sociology or literature. I don't have a problem with that.

As for forcing churches to teach evolution, there are some that do, but evolution is not part of religion, and the separation of church and state prohibits the state from dictating what a church may teach.

Answer 4

In a non religious school? It raises a complicated question.

The problem here is not that I don't think it shouldn't be taught-I'm a supporter of that. The problem is I don't want the wrong person teaching it. I have a feeling many teachers would not know how to assess many different people's views on Scripture.

I'm not a Fundamentalist, but if I had a Fundamentalist in my class, I would have to expect his papers to be completely different from something I would write. So, to a point, I could not necessarily base my grading for them on the same set of criteria.

I don't see (nor have I ever seen) a NEED to have it taught in schools. People who truly experience their faith should have enough of this in their faith anyway.

As far as the other texts, I hold the same opinion. I WISH they could be taught, but I see too many issues stemming from that. And the school system is riddled with problems already as it is. No need to bring up more challenges.

My 2 cents!
Matt

Answer 5

Yes the Bible should be taught in schools as well as, like you pointed out, all other religious texts, but certainly not in a science classroom. Also I would love for someone come teach evolution in my church as a matter of fact sometimes it is. I am a christian by the way.

Answer 6

If the bible is taught then we have to also teach the Koran, The Buddhist texts, throw in some Hinduism. All religion.

Why don't we just keep it like it is? Religious leaders teach religion, and science teachers teach science.

Answer 7

The Bible should not be taught in the public schools. The Constitutional Separation of Church and State should be respected.
P.S. To Apostle Jeff- This is NOT a Christian country. The majority of its citizens may be Christian but the U.S. has no official national religion. (Were you sleeping during civics class when they were teaching about the Constitution?)

Answer 8

No...etc.

Atheists made a deal a long time ago that goes like this...

If you don't preach in our schools, we won't think in your churches. For the most part (with the exception of the southeastern US), it seems to be working just fine...

Seriously though, a comparative or historic class on religion (not faith, nor preaching) is fine. The issues arise when prayer is endorsed, and faith takes precedent over fact.

EDIT: Since someone tried to make the claim that this is a christian country, let's remind them of their history. According to the Treaty of Tripoli (a document written by a military chaplain, and signed and endorsed by both Presidents Washington and Adams): "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

Answer 9

Why the bible? Why no longer the quran? Why no longer each non secular e book there is obtainable? If public faculties have been to conceal one or perhaps 2 of the substantial international religions, they could be sending the message that the religions lined are finally greater substantial or substantial than something. it truly is misguided for a central authority to do issues that seem to propose the universal public and finally overlook approximately or marginalize the minority. it truly is not achieveable to conceal all non secular ideals and non secular perspectives, so we could desire to constantly no longer conceal any...except of path the fabrics being taught is finally mandatory to comprehend the societal context and importance of an substantial historic journey.

Answer 10

I don't have a problem with the bible being taught at school as just literature, without injecting religion into it. I think the bible is still part of our popular culture and has been an influence in our arts.

Answer 11

Yes, it should be taught in an elective religious studies course. Or Maybe a cultural literacy class.

It has had a profound impact on history.
However, it is not a scientific document and should not be taught in science class.