tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10221823.post112448241983931225..comments2024-01-05T02:49:13.756-06:00Comments on Out of the Binjo Ditch: Church and StateStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15148864091827107809noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10221823.post-1124741167896352132005-08-22T14:06:00.000-06:002005-08-22T14:06:00.000-06:00One of the things that distinguishes your experien...One of the things that distinguishes your experience, Bookworm, is that you took the class in college, presumably as an elective, though if you attended a Baylor, SMU, Notre Dame type school it might have been mandatory. I think there is a lot that can be taken from the Bible. I believe it's an excellent source of morality, tells brilliant tales, and for those who don't follow judeo-christianity, it even provides excellent mythology as compared to their faith system. <BR/><BR/>The issue I have stems from having it as a mandatory course in a public school, either elementary or secondary. If you tell a kid at Harris County High School that they have to take a bible literacy class in order to graduate, then you are in effect showing governmental (the county government at the least) preference of one relegious set over all others. Like it or not, that detracts from others in a public setting. <BR/><BR/>I don't object to a Bible literacy class in general. I think that as an elective, it's a fine idea. I also don't object to a religions of the world class, as I think that would enlighten people as to different cultures. From my perspective, those are viable options, whereas a mandatory bible class in a public school is not.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15148864091827107809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10221823.post-1124728109494809332005-08-22T10:28:00.000-06:002005-08-22T10:28:00.000-06:00I took the "Bible as Literature" in college and, d...I took the "Bible as Literature" in college and, despite an abysmally bad teacher (this was, after all, one of the major American Universities), I still came away overwhelmed by the Bible's scope, beauty (we read the King James version) and wisdom. As someone immersed in British history and literature, I especially enjoyed the realization that so much that is beautiful in written English has its origin in the Bible.Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692907969177893526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10221823.post-1124600912999689792005-08-20T23:08:00.000-06:002005-08-20T23:08:00.000-06:00I know that there is no such thing as "Christmas" ...I know that there is no such thing as "Christmas" celebrations anymore in our local school districts. They are now "holiday" celebrations if they have any at all. The school parties are almost extinct here. I hate the fact that my son will not get to parade around in his halloween costume when he's in grade school or hand out valentine's day cards because someone might be offended. I am offended my mathematics, maybe they ought to quit teaching them! Seriously, the holiday celebrations in U.S. schools lost their religious meaning years ago. They serve as a break from the monotony, a little bit of fun to make school bearable for kids who don't like it and even the kids who do.Cassiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12080913200722597938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10221823.post-1124594428605584332005-08-20T21:20:00.000-06:002005-08-20T21:20:00.000-06:00Yes Cassie, i think Steve's idea is appropriate fo...Yes Cassie, i think Steve's idea is appropriate for the States.<BR/>I'm actually surprised that our system works as well as it does.<BR/>Just in relation to that, we had a number of schools scrap xmas celebrations....all that kind of thing because of religous differences. The Oz public stood up and said..."not good enough, we are the majority, it should stay", so it did. A few added other religon's into the celebrations.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15400006028099229571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10221823.post-1124546291196368692005-08-20T07:58:00.000-06:002005-08-20T07:58:00.000-06:00That is so interesting. We are Methodist too. It's...That is so interesting. We are Methodist too. It's interesting that they would choose the Methodist denomination as the background for the teachings. <BR/><BR/>I think here in the US it's a mistake to even offer a Bible class in public schools. I think that a "religion" class like Steve mentioned would be fine, it's part of our culture and as long as it taught in an unbiased fashion and isn't mandatory, it would be ok. I think you're opening up a can of worms (and not the yummy gummy kind) by offering a class on the Bible by itself. We had an English teacher in High School who used the Bible as a piece of literature and studied the mythology and such that was in it. That's a little different. She also made that known to parents before it was presented in class. Kids are impressionable and if they really look up to a teacher they could take on certain ideas a teacher has. I would prefer my son to get his religious background from me and my church and I respect that parents who are Muslim or Hindu or any other religion might have the same wish. <BR/>PS this may be a little bit hard to follow but some short dude is yelling at me, seems he thinks he ought to eat. I'm a bit distracted. Off to the kitchen!Cassiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12080913200722597938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10221823.post-1124536467156444832005-08-20T05:14:00.000-06:002005-08-20T05:14:00.000-06:00We have Bible studies in our public schools, just ...We have Bible studies in our public schools, just up until 7th grade. It just a basic Methodist teaching for 1 hr every week. Your child is not forced into going, parents are asked to make the choice. I am of a Methodist background myself, and i don't have the time for my daughter to attend Sunday School so opted for her to do it as i felt it at least provided her with some religous instruction :)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15400006028099229571noreply@blogger.com