why are bible classes bad in public schools? no one can tell me why schools are fighting it; mine included?

Question

im not christian/catholic
just give me reasons its bad.

Answer 1

If you are in the United States of America, there is something called separation of church and state. Therefore, public schools are not to offer religious training. If they offer one religion, they would continually get sued until they had to teach all religions and then there would be no time to learn English, math, science, history, etc. Why not Quran classes or classes on the Rig Veda or Bhagavad Gita?
If you want religion in your school, go to a private/parochial school.

Answer 2

Government is not supposed to be involved with religion, and public schools are state run. Plus, it ends up on the debate about why the BIBLE? We live in a diverse society, who is to choose, why not someone else's religion? Other people think their religion/view is just as equally correct, but would you want Quran classes in the school? Wicca classes? Scientology? People not of bible religions probably feel the same way about bible classes.

Religious schools, church, home, bible study groups outside of school, other religious community activities, even vacation bible school...there is plenty of places for it. No reason it has to take over every inch of everything possible... Non Christian children need to be allowed to get their education *somewhere* without being made to learn Christianity...there is little other options for them other then public school.

Kids need to go there to learn their math and ABCs...there is another school called Church for teaching religion.

Answer 3

Public schools are properly cautious of favoring or advancing one particular view over others. Even so, an elective course in "The Bible as Literature", focused on the historical, cultural, and literary contexts of the texts, is quite necessary since Biblical figures and stories and histories are foundational to understanding most of Western art, music, literature, politics, and even science. Everyone should have some basic biblical literacy that enables them to appreciate this rich heritage - and to grow in tolerance and understanding regarding those who consider it a sacred text. For those who already do, they have much to learn about the finely-crafted poetry and carefully-constructed narratives there, which will only increase their appreciation of it all. I teach "The Bible as Literature" at my secular college, and I hope I'm striking a non-sectarian balance. I find I must keep reminding students that it isn't a 'religion' course, but a literature course. We don't avoid disagreements or controversy but try to keep it civil and based in the text itself, not on anything outside it. Anyone who teaches such a course with a view to proselytizing or 'witnessing' or, on the other hand, disabusing students of their faith, is abusing the opportunity.

Answer 4

What is Sunday School for?

If my hard-earned tax dollars are paying for public education, WHY should I subsidize the promotion of one particular religious belief over all others? If the Bible is offered as an elective in high school as a part of a Comparative Religious Studies course, then fine. Otherwise, keep religion out of public school and in the church/temple/mosque where it belongs.

Answer 5

1) Because it favors one religious belief over thousands of other religious beliefs.
2) There are other, more appropriate places to teach the Bible. You can teach it at home or at church.
3) Classes cost money. That money comes from taxes. Tax money is received from people of all different beliefs, and they shouldn't have to spend their money paying to have someone else's religion taught in the public school system.
4) Schools are already sorely lacking in funds for things that are NECESSARY to public education, and the money is needed to be spent on things that benefit all, (like math and science) not just the believers on one religion.

Answer 6

As long as the Bible class was an elective being taught by a qualified, degreed theologian who taught the history of the Bible's creation, I would have no problem with it.

I would have a problem with an instructor who taught that every word of the Bible was literal fact, because it isn't.

Some people get hysterical about Bible classes in school because they believe it's a violation of the separation of church and state--which is ridiculous. Knowledge is knowledge, and school is supposed to be a place where you learn.

Answer 7

Bible courses, as an elective, with an eye towards literary studies, are not forbidden. In fact, numerous public high schools have such, if there is demand.

Many teachers will not teach such a course, however, as they feel they could not teach it objectively, being believers in the text. It would too easily cross the line into preaching.

However Biblical Studies, in the sense of teaching it as a source of truth, are absolutely forbidden.

Answer 8

I am a teacher and a Christian and there is no way the bible should be taught in schools. We need to concentrate on the fundamentals to get a job and go to higher education. the bible is for the parents and the family and should not be in schools.

Answer 9

Because the Bill of Rights, and the modern interpretations of legal precedent set by it, say that no rulings should be made supporting any one religion on any level of government. A "Comparative Religions" class would be unambiguous fair game, but a school board ruling to allow a class that exists for a specific religion can be seen as a constitutional violation.

Other than it being of questionable legality, and the threat of people sung them. I haven't a clue why people would have a problem with it.

Answer 10

The aim of public schools is to give kids an unbiased education despite religous/ethnic/gender or racial differences. Religion is something that varies from child to child and if there is a bible class, even if it is offered, it is only fair for all other repersented religons to have a class specializing ont their religon.
The answer to your question can be fairly summed up in one word: equality (or lack thereof)