Why is it okay in public schools to read The Illiad, but wrong to read the Bible or Quran?

Question

Think about it. In school we read ancient mythology, but somehow religious books are a taboo? Why? Isn't the Bible more relevant in our society than Poseidon? Teaching Greek mythology instead of the major world religions is like teaching students about the wonders of the telegraph in a digitial age.

WHEN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS WRITTEN, IT READ

AMENDMENT I: " CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THERE OF--"

Those of you who think they know everything annoy those of us that do.

Answer 1

Parents choose the child's religious education. Public schools provide the child's secular education. Age does not matter. Would you have Beckett's plays over Shakespeare since they are newer? Your false analogy falls apart rather quickly. You even pointed out the distinction between mythology and religion.

Answer 2

They are all myths and the confused history of the doings of primitive tribes. Of the three, the Illiad is by far the better written, and with more entertaining stories.

How on earth is the Bible "more relevant" than anything else?

As for teaching about the telegraph ... I can only assume that you are very young, and have yet to understand that people need to have an understanding of how technology developed and evolved [sorry if the E-word upsets you] if technology is to continue to develop ... however, technology is a different topic, and a different category on Y!A.
.

Answer 3

Because some people really think the Bible and the Quran are non-fiction, and actually claim a
'divine' calling to brainwash our kids with it. Have you ever been threatened with eternal damnation by any of the Greek gods?

I have, many times. And so has my daughter - while she was in school. By another student. How SICK is that?? Eff the Abrahamic god. He's as fake as the rest. Until it can be taught as the myth it is without the xians going nuts, keep it the eff away from my kids.

Answer 4

''Teaching Greek mythology instead of the major world religions is like teaching students about the wonders of the telegraph in a digitial age.''

How is teaching another two Bronze Age myths going to bring everyone into your so-called digital age?

If Islam and Christianity were both taught as myths, rather than as dogmatic truths that are actually unproven, I would have no problem. Of course, the Illiad is a piece of great literature and has merits in its own right in that respect and is not purely about religion and converting people to a specific system of belief, unlike the Koran and the bible.

Answer 5

Reading the Bible or Quran as literature is not forbidden by law. The Illiad is not scripture promoting a religion.

In fact, in many school districts, they use this grey line in order to teach Bible lessons.

My son has had "grammar" lessons using the Noah's Ark story.

In public schools across Arkansas, the entire time from the middle of November until the Christmas break ( yes, on paper they call it "Winter Break" but teachers make sure to call it Christmas break over the intercom at every chance) there are daily lessons and art work about Christmas.

There are Christmas plays, Christmas parties, Christmas programs.. My Jewish son will be graded a significant portion of his band grade on his participation in the school Christmas program playing Christmas songs.

I'm sick of people trying to make it out like religion is being undermined by attempts to respect the civil and religious freedoms of all citizens. Even atheists have civil rights and the right to raise their children as they see fit with regard to belief.
I believe in God but it is not my place or the place of public schools funded by all taxpayers to promote any religion.

Answer 6

Actually, that's a good point. Why should I read ancient Greek mythology in English class when I could be reading something relevant to the society we live in today? Being taught the Bible in English class does make me uncomfortable, yes, but I can't seem to present to myself a rational answer as to why we can't simply replace Greek mythology with Bible stories in classes.

I'm speaking, of course, of middle school classes where they just teach you this stuff in English class. Otherwise it's a moot point.

Of course it's all politics; if you start teaching kids religious books, you'll also be teaching them religion, and people are bound to chafe against that. I would, actually. I can't honestly say that I wouldn't feel threatened, having the Bible read to my little ones.

Answer 7

in case you're examining the King James version of the Bible as literature, that's a valid problem for an English type. The KJV had a great effect on the form of the English language. the comparable isn't the case for the holy e book of the different faith.

Answer 8

They could read the Bible as literature in American public schools if more Americans could be objective about the Bible. But the purpose of reading narratives in school is to examine and discuss them. And any child who's passingly familiar with the Bible probably got their knowledge directly from their parents or church, and heaven help them if their teacher or another student says something that Mommy and Daddy and the nice preacher disagree with.

Answer 9

I wouldn't say that the Bible or the Qu'ran are any more relevant to society today than Greek mythology, though I do believe that they should study all of them. They're all mythology.

Answer 10

IF YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS MYTHOLOGICAL,THEN OK?

HISTORY LESSON:

KING HENRY THE VIII, DIVORCED HIS WIFE (ANN BOLIN) AND MARRIED (JANE SEYMOUR / NOT THE ACTRESS). THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WAS THE CHURCH OF POWER AT THAT TIME. THE CHURCH DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE DIVORCE AND THE KING GOT MAD AND STARTED THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. THE SEVERING OF TIES FROM THE CHURCH AND VATICAN, STARTED THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.(KING WOULD NOT MEDDLE IN CHURCH AFFAIRS AND THE CHURCH WOULD NOT BE POLITICAL)

WHEN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS WRITTEN, IT READ

AMENDMENT I: " CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THERE OF--"

NOW I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO SAY WELL HOW COME THEY SAY THAT PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THERE OF AND THEN DO NOT ALLOW US TO EXERCISES THIS. THE LAW IS THAT GOVERNMENT PROPERTY IS PAID FOR BY TAXES. SINCE THE CHURCH IS NOT TAXED AS AN ENTITY, THEN PUBLIC TAXES SPENT ON BUILDINGS OF PUBLIC DOMAIN ARE EXEMPT FROM ALLOWING A PRIVATE CHURCH STUDY TO BE ALLOWED.

ALSO THE AMENDMENT SAID, NO LAW RESPECTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RELIGION--MEANING ONE ADVERSE TO THE OTHER, SO ALL ARE BARRED TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.