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February 11th, 2011
07:55 AM ET
Kentucky Senate passes bill to teach Bible classes in public schoolsFrom CNN Louisville, Kentucky affiliate WLKY Frankfort, Kentucky - Bible classes could be taught in Kentucky public schools under a bill that's made it halfway through Kentucky's legislature. State Senator Joe Bowen wants Kentucky public school students to have an opportunity to take classes about the Bible. "No doubt about it, the most important book ever written and obviously, it's had so much influence on our society and all of western civilization," Bowen said. Last year, former State Senator David Boswell introduced the same bill. It passed the Senate, but died in the house. Bowen defeated Boswell last November. Read the full story from CNN Louisville, Kentucky affiliate WLKY.
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When I was in AP Biology in Western Kentucky in 1997, the chapter on evolution was given to us as a take-home packet. We had around a month to complete the readings and quizzes. My teacher agreed that we needed to know about it, but she refused to spend any class time discussing it. So, yeah, I'm not at all surprised at this.
This will never actually make it into the classroom, nor should it. I want my child to be educated about the beliefs of others as this fosters understanding. What I do not want is religious indoctrination in public schools, which, in my mind, this legislation is endorsing.
And we wonder why we're falling behind the rest of the world in math, science and engineering? Why we are now a nation of less social upward mobility than the English?
While China is taking our money and buying up real estate in California, we're fighting to insert Bible classes into the curriculum and and reducing the length of the school year. While India graduates 200k engineers a year, we argue over whether or not evolution and global climate change is real.
Ah, the stink of a declining empire...
Sad but true!
Why is this a problem? I will tell you. I live in Kentucky and I am an atheist, which is not good for me. I cannot say what I truly feel because I would be seen as Satan incarnate and I have to live here. My child came home with a note from school that says they are having prayer in class, with every parents permission. The teacher said, "I know there must have been a mistake but (your child) is the only one that does not have the permission slip signed." So what do I do, sign it. Why? Because I am not letting my child be ostracized over something that isn't real anyway. So for all those people that say there is a choice, that's BS, there is no choice. I love the hills I am from and I understand the people, I just wish they would open their eyes.
I'm sad that you have to endure this. Best wishes to you for a more enlightened, rational society soon.
You do not get more ridiculous than this. So are they going to make it mandatory? Are they also going to make it mandatory that children who do not follow the Bible have to take these classes? Or maybe parents will not complain when the ACLU starts advocating fair and equal practice and make classes for the Torah, or the Qur'an(Koran)?
I don't think any rational person wants a Theocracy in America. If they want to have a religious class and teach the bible, they should include the Koran and other religions as well.
Separation of Church and state,,ever heard of it?
I have no problem with teaching the Bible,,, as long as ALL religions get equal treatment and are taught with the same validity as the Bible.Otherwise we are no better then any other country that insists on the teaching of one religion only.
Whatever, the kids who take it will just be in it for the easy A. They had this in my high-school and I had the pleasure to take it, it's a good little story. As long as no one tries to INTERPRET it in class.
If this discussion was spurred by leaders of academia who genuinely felt that studying the Bible was a helpful process for having a complete historical perspective, I'd respect that notion. However, this is not the case. This is obviously Christian activists trying to insert their own beliefs into public schooling while using "education" as a pretext for doing so.
If the FDA recomended we drink a glass of wine a day, would you listen? Probably. If a raging alcoholic recommended the same thing, would you do the same? Probably not.
Great comment. Thanks for posting!
Perfect analogy....
Just ensuring His wisdom be taught since education is based on what He's done for the world.
As a Kentuckian myself, I think we need time and energy spent on teaching English, grammar, math, history and science so our children will be prepared to later make rational, informed decisions on which myths they then choose to believe or not believe, rather than wasting school time and energy indoctrinating them early on and stifling their ability to employ reason. Otherwise, they grow up to be ignorant legislators who don't understand why separation of church and state is an essential part of our country's founding philosophy.
Not All Docs Play Golf,
Yes, I agree. I hope that you can find time to write a similar piece of excellence to your legislators.
In 100 years, the BIble will be viewed in the same way that Greek myths are viewed. Interesting stories that have no basis in reality.
Like what you just said!! No merit at all!!
Reality Check and Sophia, as if you two ever read His truth.
Kentucky, making me more ashamed to be part of this country every day.
If the Bible is going to be in the class room so should the Quran for the muslim students. I went to a Catholic school in Kuwait where both were taught. Gave me a better understanding of both.
If anything they should teach a comparative religion class which examines all major religions and their impact on history and society. You cannot simply make the statement the Bible is the most important book ever written, what about the Qur'an? Islam in the Middle Ages influenced every facet of Western life, and much of our society and sciences are based on the work of Muslim scholars...
Just try to mention another religion in these classrooms. There will be riots. Next there will be fights in Kentucky on what sect of Christianity is the right one to teach and they'll want to kick out Catholics. It's a slippery slope, and that's why NO religion should be taught in a public school.
Joshua Sleight, the challenge has already been met years before you every thought to have this questions. Theology scholars have already decipher each of the teachings. The questions are, why don't you know the results and then ask why are they not posted for all to read?
Jesus' truth ... Alpha and Omega.
Amen.
For anyone that thinks this country was founded upon Christianity, Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli passed unanimously by the Congress and read aloud by John Adams. End of discussion.
stayoutofschools, I'll give you the same challenge I just gave m.
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., are displayed two words:
Laus Deo.
Your challenge, if you decide to accept it, is to find out it's meaning. Once you know Laus Deo 's history , you will know what others before you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.
Laus Deo ! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.
So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean?
Also, every president sworn in to office, holds the Bible in their hand while they take the oath of the office. There's a reason for this being that they trust in Jesus Christ's and His Truth (wisdom).
Just two simple facts that continue to exist in our country, one nation under God.
Amen.
Adams signed the Treaty of Tripoli. Article 11 states
"The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the
Christian religion."
"Christianity...(has become) the most perverted system that ever shone on
man...Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the
teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and imposters led by Paul, the
first great corruptor of the teachings of Jesus." -Thomas Jefferson
"And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerve in the brain of Jupiter."
-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, April 11, 1823
I am from Kentucky originally, and I cannot believe they doing this and ignoring separation of church and state. This is just wrong for so many reasons no matter what your spiritual beliefs are or are not. I cannot agree more with what Ron says above. Kentucky takes a giant step..................backwards, their ranking is around 35th out of all the states, this does not help.
I think my Karma just ran over your Dogma.
Influence on our society? Is that a joke? No, it hasn't. All it's done is give some people the ability to influence. To say that our society actually upholds Christian values is a joke.
there are 2 beams on the cross. 1 to hold on to and the other points to salvation. let he that has eyes to see and ears to hear what the spirit is sayings to the church.if you are looking wisdom to understand study THE RED LETTERS .... the only true example to follow is found there..his name is ' MASHIAH'
m, I can see from your writing how Wisdom, Ethics and Morals is a joke to you.
m, On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., are displayed two words:
Laus Deo.
Your challenge, if you decide to accept it, is to find out it's meaning. Once you know Laus Deo 's history , you will know what others before you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.
Laus Deo ! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.
So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean?
Also, every president sworn in to office, holds the Bible in their hand while they take the oath of the office. There's a reason for this being that they trust in Jesus Christ's and His Truth (wisdom).
Just two simple facts that continue to exist in our country, one nation under God.
What a great idea. Put the word of our Lord Jesus Christ back in public schools. So many children will be put onto such a better path in life. I hope this is done all over our nation, not just Kentucky.
The brilliant men who established our government believed in separation of church and state. Accept their wisdom.
I think its great too!! Should be allowed in every public school. Most of the kids don't even know the Pledge of Alligance. Stop saying that in school.
Well said marco. There are many people who mock God's Word 9the Bible), but if anything, if they just heed what God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, we would be that blessed nation that we once were...."If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Agree completely. Bible is the basis for knowledge and understanding of the Creation of the universe.
Kind of an OXYMORON don't ya think Marko?, Brilliant men & Government !! Get REAL dude, think for yourself, or suck on up & be a government PUPPET. Clear enough you"ll be one of the first in line to accept the MARK !
The funny part about this nonsense is if you actually read the Founding Fathers - which most who wrap themselves in the flag do NOT - is the reason for the separation of church and state was to protect religion FROM the state (not to mention most Founding Fathers were Deists, not Christians). It is inevitable that faith will be corrupted if it is taught in public schools. Religion is like any other tool - it can be used for good, and it can (and has) been used for monstrous evil. There's a reason it's a private matter, and not a public one. After all, Germany had crosses on their tanks in WWII. Praise Jesus - bang, you're dead.
Keep this in mind: The founders of this great nation were not–gasp!–Christians in the sense that we think of the religion today. They were theists. They had very keen reasons for wanting to keep this nation secular. Religion is a private matter. Besides, if religion were brought into the public sphere, think of all the problems it would cause. Which branch of Christianity would your children be taught? The lawsuits would be incredible. What's so horrible about keeping your religion private? I'm an atheist. I avoid stores that display Jesus fish like the plague. I can't stand the Medieval belief systems you all subscribe to. It's boring and it's cliche, and it's time move on.
It will never happen. We are a secular society and have been since 1776. If this were to pass, lawsuits would go to the Supreme Court, who would then direct Kentucky to remove the course from schools. If they refused to do so, all federal funding would be pulled from Kentucky public schools resulting in said schools closing in short order due to lack of funds. In addition, many people, such as myself, would refuse to pay property taxes until the issue was resolved. I choose to pick which version of christianity to teach my children, not the state. Anyone who thinks this is a good idea is a lunatic. If you want a theocracy, move to Iran.
"Rob
Agree completely. Bible is the basis for knowledge and understanding of the Creation of the universe."
See, it's starting already. I love how the Bible teaches people to be on a better path by unilaterally telling the rest of us their way is the "basis for knowledge and understanding of the Creation of the universe." The other 4.5 billion non-Christians on this planet - about 2/3 of the world population - might disagree...
@ Truth
"Plus, there is not a book that has had more influence on Western civilization than the Bible."
Actually, there have been a number of them such as the Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica without which all of modern science and technology would not have been possible.
I'm not surprised you haven't heard of it since you spend so much time with the Bible without which the Dark Ages would not have been possible.
Wasn't illiteracy the main problem during the Dark Ages?
cwampthing: "Wasn't illiteracy the main problem during the Dark Ages?"
Illiteracy was an effect, not a cause. Serfdom didn't help - nor the religious belief in the Divine Right of kings. It was the Enlightenment - the paradigm shift from religious justification to rational justification - that broke through the Dark Ages.
cwampthing, "Wasn't illiteracy the main problem during the Dark Ages?"
Yes, cwampthing, unfortunately, you folks are proving it's existence today.