News & Politics - Georgia works towards introducing Bible-based classes in public schools

elisheva · 03-08-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Georgia moves closer to approving classes based on Bible

ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Georgia is poised to introduce two literature classes on the Bible in public schools next year, a move analysts say would make the state the first to take an explicit stance endorsing -- and funding -- biblical teachings.

The Bible already is incorporated into some classes in Georgia and other states, but some critics say the board's move, which makes the Bible the classes' main text, treads into dangerous turf.

On a list of classes approved Thursday by the Georgia Board of Education are Literature and History of the Old Testament Era, and Literature and History of the New Testament Era. The classes, approved last year by the Legislature, will not be required, and the state's 180 school systems can decide for themselves whether to offer them.

The school board's unanimous vote set up a 30-day public comment period, after which it is expected to give final approval.

Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams, the Republican who sponsored the plan, said the Bible plays a major role in history and is important in understanding many classic literary works.

"It's not just 'The Good Book,"' Williams said. "It's a good book."

Charles Haynes of the First Amendment Center, a nonpartisan civil liberties group, has said the Georgia policy is the nation's first to endorse and fund Bible classes on a statewide level.

The bill approved overwhelmingly in the Legislature was tailored to make it clear the courses would not stray into religious teaching, Williams said.

The measure calls for the courses to be taught "in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students."

But critics say that while the language may pass constitutional muster, that could change in the classroom if instructors stray.

Maggie Garrett, legislative counsel for the Georgia branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the curriculum approved Tuesday -- like the Legislation itself -- is vague.

"They didn't put in any outlines describing what they can and can't do constitutionally," she said. "The same traps are there for teachers who decide to teach the class."

Some teachers might seek to include their own beliefs or be pushed by students into conversations that include religious proselytizing, Garrett said.

During last year's campaign-period legislative session, Democrats surprised majority Republicans by introducing a plan to teach the Bible in public schools. Republicans, who control both chambers, quickly responded with their own version, which passed and was signed into law by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Hmmm. I certainly agree that the Bible is an important text for lit and history classes (after all, parts of it were covered in my entirely secular CEGEP courses) but this is dangerous in the hands of individual teachers. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this. Does anyone know if there would be or already are parallel courses on the sacred texts and histories of other cultures/religions?

mh67511 · 03-09-2007, 09:14 AM

As long as they aren't required I think it's fine. I mean the Bible is the best-selling book of all time and is referenced quite often in this day and age. I'd probably take the class since it sounds like it would be a breeze.

All I wanted was a freaking accounting class at my college prep highschool, but apparently accounting isn't "academic" enough.

ceilirose · 03-09-2007, 10:41 AM

It's going down a slippery slope. I'm sure it will be contested to the Supreme Court.

If you're going to study The Bible then you need to include other religion's texts. That's the only way I see it being fair.

migamoo · 03-09-2007, 10:58 AM

I do not necessarily see a problem as they are not required and it will be up to the schools to choose to teach but I do agree with Ceilirose. If you are going to study one religious text for literature and history, they should include other texts as well.

mh67511, my high school had a whole business department devoted to accounting and related topics. It really just depends on the school system and schools.

~*katinthehat*~ · 03-09-2007, 10:59 AM

I do not think that there should be classes on the bible but i am happy that they are optional. I do believe that people have the right to learn what they wish and if people want to take a class on the bible they should. I do not support religion in school. It will always lead to confrontation. Why not have classes on the koran or torah? If religion is now a class why just teach one? Religion is just not christianity. That's the only problem i really have. There should not be discrimination is teaching, make one religion available in school, but not the others? That does not seem fair.

I live in Georgia and i am graduating soon so i am happy about that.

Does anyone know when this goes into affect?

migamoo · 03-09-2007, 11:16 AM

If I'm not mistaken, they are not going to be teaching it a religious course, but as literature and history.

Indian Summer · 03-09-2007, 11:21 AM

Theoretically, they'll be teaching it in a secular way. Somehow, once this curriculum is in the hands of individual teachers, I'm not so sure it will stay that way, though.

I don't have a problem with it as long as it's not a required course. As long as it's an elective that only interested students have to sign up for, I don't see a problem, as long as teachers handle the material responsibly. In all reality, I think it could be a good idea- so many times material from the Bible (in particular, Leviticus) is misquoted and used to inspire hatred, when it wasn't even meant that way in the original writings. And I'd really look forward to seeing teachers explain that any English Bible is a translation, and therefore not God's word, as the translators would've chosen their own vocabulary and context and so on. So often that's overlooked.

~*katinthehat*~ · 03-09-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fieryangel (View Post)

If I'm not mistaken, they are not going to be teaching it a religious course, but as literature and history.

oh okay.

I misread. Sorry about that, but i still think that the bible should not be discussed in school.

Summer~ I know what you are saying. I do agree with it being an elective. I hope that the teachers who are in charge of the class are not biased and are not going to say "it's the word of god."

migamoo · 03-09-2007, 11:27 AM

I know this is college, but we offer courses on the Bible. It's part of the History department but also fall under Religion and Philosophy, depending on what you are taking the course as.

~*katinthehat*~ · 03-09-2007, 11:39 AM

College is such a more laid back environment. I can not wait. In High school it seems half the kids are too immature to even have a conversation on religion. I think that is why i really disagree with it in highschool. Highschool students don't have much respect for other people opinions or religion extra...JMO from the kids in my classes and around me

ex. girl in class today said that muslims are whores and jews are fat and going to burn in hell. Did she care that there are jewish people in class or muslims? NO! She said she was right and that they were wrong.

College students are usually more mature and educated in the ways of curtesy to others. This is just from my experience from taking some college classes. College seems like it would be more accepted from others. People can bring alot to the discussions and have intellegent conversations. Also religion in college is important because some people go into that field for a career.

Indian Summer · 03-09-2007, 11:40 AM

My college offered courses like this, too. I took one of them, which was Comparative Religions- basically we read works from Christianity, Judaism and Islam and went over the major tenants of each, and differences between branches and such. Then we'd have debates like "was Jesus the son of God, a mortal hero, or a fictional character?" and so on. But this was Stanford, and somehow I doubt California religion classes are anything like Georgia's, lol.

~*katinthehat*~ · 03-09-2007, 11:51 AM

summer~ i think georgia should do that. The class should talk about many different religions and not just one.

Indian Summer · 03-09-2007, 11:58 AM

I'm reading your quote above my post now, and what makes me laugh about it (and obviously this is a generalization) is that out of all the Christians, Jews, and Muslims I know... the Muslims are usually the least "whore-ish" and the Jews are usually the thinnest. In fact, both those extremes tend toward Christians. Heh. Obviously, that doesn't classify Christians as a group, but it's obviously not true of Muslims or Jews.

I think instead of teaching religion, we need to focus on teaching tolerance, in all reality. A class like the one I took is good for that, because it makes you realize just how similar most religions are and how close we are. I can't remember exactly how it went in my class, but my professor ended up using an example as like, God's the father, and Jews are his son, Muslims are his daughter, and Christians are his adopted child or something. It doesn't make much sense when I recount it because it was a while ago and I can't really remember, but basically what it all came down to is that for all the differences between the three groups and the infighting, our most basic beliefs- such as that in our "father"- are all the same.

Jacob1983 · 03-09-2007, 03:52 PM

I think world religion classes would be better than a Bible class. I wouldn't have a problem if there were world religion classes taught from a non bias or prejudice view. Some people might disagree with me on this but most religions have had a huge impact on the history of mankind.

migamoo · 03-09-2007, 03:59 PM

I think that's why they are going to look at the Bible as a historical and literary text, Jacob. Everyone knows how religions can effect the course of history as people are fighting over their beliefs all the time.


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