Comments on: Bible classes as Literature? http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature A Blog of Atheist Thought Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:27:16 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: alexatheist http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55658 alexatheist Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55658 In Great Britain all kids are required to have religious education but it is presented as literature, history, and mythology and in a comparative sense. I would like to see these same schools in GA offer elective classes in other major religions besides xianity and for there to be plenty of oversight to make sure that these classes don't turn into religious recruitment or indoctrination. If these criteria can be met by the state approved curriculum then I think it is actually a good idea to have kids learn about and question religion, their own brand and that of others. If children can take Greek mythology elective classes like I did in high school then why not xian mythology too? In Great Britain all kids are required to have religious education but it is presented as literature, history, and mythology and in a comparative sense. I would like to see these same schools in GA offer elective classes in other major religions besides xianity and for there to be plenty of oversight to make sure that these classes don’t turn into religious recruitment or indoctrination. If these criteria can be met by the state approved curriculum then I think it is actually a good idea to have kids learn about and question religion, their own brand and that of others. If children can take Greek mythology elective classes like I did in high school then why not xian mythology too?

]]> By: sammorjr http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55659 sammorjr Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55659 That is, IF the Bible will be taught as mythology-- but will they teach it just as mythology in Georgia? I certainly don't trust them to teach the Bible in public schools here in North Carolina without preaching and indoctrination. I had a course in Comparative Religions in high school without indoctrination. If the Bible is taught in public schools it should be taught as mytho-legend-folklore and with parents' consent, as much of the Bible is unfit for children. I have read the Bible twice and find much of it rated NC 17.Even the teachings of Jesus are imperfect and inconsistent. Jesus taught some really good things but also some really bad things.More on that in a future thread. That is, IF the Bible will be taught as mythology– but will they teach it just as mythology in Georgia? I certainly don’t trust them to teach the Bible in public schools here in North Carolina without preaching and indoctrination. I had a course in Comparative Religions in high school without indoctrination. If the Bible is taught in public schools it should be taught as mytho-legend-folklore and with parents’ consent, as much of the Bible is unfit for children. I have read the Bible twice and find much of it rated NC 17.Even the teachings of Jesus are imperfect and inconsistent. Jesus taught some really good things but also some really bad things.More on that in a future thread.

]]> By: alexatheist http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55661 alexatheist Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55661 According to the wording of the measure the classes must be taught "in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students." I would hope that elective courses in all of the other major world religions would also be offered and that the curriculum would have the normal oversight that all other courses must meet. If these students actually read and study the bible in depth they will have lots of questions which is actually a good thing. According to the wording of the measure the classes must be taught “in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students.” I would hope that elective courses in all of the other major world religions would also be offered and that the curriculum would have the normal oversight that all other courses must meet. If these students actually read and study the bible in depth they will have lots of questions which is actually a good thing.

]]> By: bernarda http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55663 bernarda Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55663 Wouldn't it be good for kids to see Biblical literature such as Psaums 137:9?<br /> <br /> 8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed,<br /> <br /> Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!<br /> <br /> 9 Happy the one who takes and dashes<br /> Your little ones against the rock!<br /> <br /> <br /> Wouldn’t it be good for kids to see Biblical literature such as Psaums 137:9?

8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed,

Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!

9 Happy the one who takes and dashes
Your little ones against the rock!

]]> By: sunbeamatheist http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55664 sunbeamatheist Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55664 I have been boycotting Georgia for the past four years because hunters teach toddlers to hunt deer, now I will continue to boycott that state because of Georgia' attempts to brainwash public school students into a fraudulent religion.<br /> <br /> These children that are being taught religion will be brainwashed and when they approach high school, they will not be able to think for themselves if they are forced to learn about any religion. Really sad and pathetic how Georgia can go this low. <br /> <br /> I read about four years ago where fathers place high powered rifles in the hands of their toddlers and take them with them to their hunting camps to hunt defenseless deer in Georgia. This should be considered child abuse and a form of forced brainwashing. <br /> <br /> Unfortunately, the Dark Ages still exist in a few peoples' minds in the state of Georgia! It's a shame taxpayers money couldn't be spent on healthcare and/or more needed interests for the people of Cobb County?<br /> <br /> Evolving is educational!<br /> <br /> SunbeamAtheist<br /> <br /> I have been boycotting Georgia for the past four years because hunters teach toddlers to hunt deer, now I will continue to boycott that state because of Georgia’ attempts to brainwash public school students into a fraudulent religion.

These children that are being taught religion will be brainwashed and when they approach high school, they will not be able to think for themselves if they are forced to learn about any religion. Really sad and pathetic how Georgia can go this low.

I read about four years ago where fathers place high powered rifles in the hands of their toddlers and take them with them to their hunting camps to hunt defenseless deer in Georgia. This should be considered child abuse and a form of forced brainwashing.

Unfortunately, the Dark Ages still exist in a few peoples’ minds in the state of Georgia! It’s a shame taxpayers money couldn’t be spent on healthcare and/or more needed interests for the people of Cobb County?

Evolving is educational!

SunbeamAtheist

]]> By: billh http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55669 billh Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55669 Teaching the bible as history will only quicken the demise of xtianity. I am all for it, as long as it is an unbiased teacher (no preachers ie xtians) teaching it. Teaching the bible as history will only quicken the demise of xtianity. I am all for it, as long as it is an unbiased teacher (no preachers ie xtians) teaching it.

]]> By: maddogstu http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55670 maddogstu Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55670 I wonder if praying for an A grade is considered cheating or if it's mandatory?<br /> <br /> I wouldn't worry too much as an atheist though. The more xtians who actually read the bible, the less xtians there will be. I wonder if praying for an A grade is considered cheating or if it’s mandatory?

I wouldn’t worry too much as an atheist though. The more xtians who actually read the bible, the less xtians there will be.

]]> By: karen http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55671 karen Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55671 I agree that the intent about getting the Bible in classes is most likely skewed. It's a foot in the door, what ever way possible. I don't especially see student's clamoring or peer-pressuring one another into taking it, but I do forsee pressure from parents to do so.<br /> <br /> Teaching it as history is sure to arouse questions. How the teacher handles the answers will be key. I wonder if the syllabus anticipates these questions and has historically correct answers, or if it's open to the teacher's interpretation? Unless a secular student reports back on any preaching involved, it may never come to light. I agree that the intent about getting the Bible in classes is most likely skewed. It’s a foot in the door, what ever way possible. I don’t especially see student’s clamoring or peer-pressuring one another into taking it, but I do forsee pressure from parents to do so.

Teaching it as history is sure to arouse questions. How the teacher handles the answers will be key. I wonder if the syllabus anticipates these questions and has historically correct answers, or if it’s open to the teacher’s interpretation? Unless a secular student reports back on any preaching involved, it may never come to light.

]]> By: fathead http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55672 fathead Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55672 <br /> DeepDiver<br /> [BLOCKQUOTE]Teaching the bible as history will only quicken the demise of xtianity. I am all for it, as long as it is an unbiased teacher (no preachers ie xtians) teaching it. [/BLOCKQUOTE]<br /> I seriously doubt that there are more than a handful of "unbiased teachers" in the school system when it comes to religion. I would think that the most objective teachers would be atheists, since they view all religions as mythology, and are not likely to promote one mythology over another.<br /> <br /> DeepDiver
[BLOCKQUOTE]Teaching the bible as history will only quicken the demise of xtianity. I am all for it, as long as it is an unbiased teacher (no preachers ie xtians) teaching it. [/BLOCKQUOTE]
I seriously doubt that there are more than a handful of “unbiased teachers” in the school system when it comes to religion. I would think that the most objective teachers would be atheists, since they view all religions as mythology, and are not likely to promote one mythology over another.

]]> By: fathead http://atheists.org/blog/2007/03/11/bible_classes_as_literature/comment-page-1#comment-55673 fathead Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-55673 Damned blockquotes!<br /> <br /> [BLOCKQUOTE] Teaching the bible as history will only quicken the demise of xtianity. I am all for it, as long as it is an unbiased teacher (no preachers ie xtians) teaching it. [/BLOCKQUOTE]<br /> <br /> I seriously doubt that there are more than a handful of "unbiased teachers" in the school system when it comes to religion. I would think that the most objective teachers would be atheists, since they view all religions as mythology, and are not likely to promote one mythology over another.<br /> Damned blockquotes!

[BLOCKQUOTE] Teaching the bible as history will only quicken the demise of xtianity. I am all for it, as long as it is an unbiased teacher (no preachers ie xtians) teaching it. [/BLOCKQUOTE]

I seriously doubt that there are more than a handful of “unbiased teachers” in the school system when it comes to religion. I would think that the most objective teachers would be atheists, since they view all religions as mythology, and are not likely to promote one mythology over another.

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