Texas approves curriculum allowing Bible-based teachings in public grade schools

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I need to see specifically how this is being implemented. Teaching about religion isn't the same as teaching religion.... though i'm skeptical of many people's ability to not cross the line between the two.
 
Milk and Cookies said:
Oh good — they’re teaching Genesis
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There was precious little detail in the article as to exactly what the curriculum entails. There would certainly be a way to teach the bible in a historical or literary context that does not cross the line into government establishment of religion, but it is unlikely you could do that in the K-5 grade range proposed.

The 5th Circuit is extremely conservative, so maybe the curriculum has been narrowly tailored to give the 5th a plausible argument to uphold the law. I mean, they largely upheld the abortion drug case. But, I'd assume the Supreme Court would strike this law down if the 5th let most of it survive.
 
Calheel said:
There was precious little detail in the article as to exactly what the curriculum entails. There would certainly be a way to teach the bible in a historical or literary context that does not cross the line into government establishment of religion, but it is unlikely you could do that in the K-5 grade range proposed.

The 5th Circuit is extremely conservative, so maybe the curriculum has been narrowly tailored to give the 5th a plausible argument to uphold the law. I mean, they largely upheld the abortion drug case. But, I'd assume the Supreme Court would strike this law down if the 5th let most of it survive.
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Literary, yes but very little of it could be considered historical. I'd love to see them teach what isn't.
 
The GOP drives these types of laws thinking it solidifies support from its base. What is doing though is driving progressives and center left Christians from Christian churches.

MAGA/Rightest Christians think this is awesome but the day is coming soon when their government is going to ask/require things of them that makes even them uncomfortable.
 
finesse said:
Literary, yes but very little of it could be considered historical. I'd love to see them teach what isn't.
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That is not what I mean by historical.

You could teach the bible as a historical document, which it is, and how it has influenced many schools of thought and cultures. You could also teach the history behind the drafting of the bible, the order in which the books were written, and the historical evidence of the likely authors. Things like that.

Of course, most of the evangelicals pushing for biblical education don't want that kind of education.
 
TitanNC said:
The GOP drives these types of laws thinking it solidifies support from its base. What is doing though is driving progressives and center left Christians from Christian churches.

MAGA/Rightest Christians think this is awesome but the day is coming soon when their government is going to ask/require things of them that makes even them uncomfortable.
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Other Christians have to step up and present an alternate face to Christianity. Anyone else who challenges them is going to be overwhelmed with charges of being anti Christian. Even those who might be in agreement would be slow to act if it came from outside.
 
Calheel said:
That is not what I mean by historical.

You could teach the bible as a historical document, which it is, and how it has influenced many schools of thought and cultures. You could also teach the history behind the drafting of the bible, the order in which the books were written, and the historical evidence of the likely authors. Things like that.

Of course, most of the evangelicals pushing for biblical education don't want that kind of education.
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I would support this as long as the history of some of the events are also discussed like Exodus and such.
 
ZenMode said:
I need to see specifically how this is being implemented. Teaching about religion isn't the same as teaching religion.... though i'm skeptical of many people's ability to not cross the line between the two.
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We know the difference.
I've always said that I have no problem with a world religions class or other class that teach about religions.

But this isn't about "religions" it's teaching from the bible, that pretty much limits it to indoctrination of one religion.

Then from the article: Developed by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year, the curriculum introduces Bible-based lessons, such as the Golden Rule, and stories from books like Genesis into classrooms. While adopting the curriculum is optional, schools implementing it will receive additional funding.

So they are going to bribe schools to adopt this, with additional funding? Wow.

They don't follow the golden rule, that's clear, how can they teach it and from a bible perspective?


I have a personal bias here because going into 7th grade in public school my electives were photography and introduction to computing. My parents decided to send me to an Independent Baptist Christian school where my electives became Bible. It really derailed my academic pathway and probably cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential earnings. And yes, I probably need therapy as it still bothers me to this day.
 
Calheel said:
That is not what I mean by historical.

You could teach the bible as a historical document, which it is, and how it has influenced many schools of thought and cultures. You could also teach the history behind the drafting of the bible, the order in which the books were written, and the historical evidence of the likely authors. Things like that.

Of course, most of the evangelicals pushing for biblical education don't want that kind of education.
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And I wonder how they would feel about teaching about books and documents from other religions as historical documents?

I'm sure that if someone mentions teaching the history of the Quran there would be much outrage from the evangelicals.
 
UNCatTech said:
And I wonder how they would feel about teaching about books and documents from other religions as historical documents?

I'm sure that if someone mentions teaching the history of the Quran there would be much outrage from the evangelicals.
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As long as you teach the Bible historically, I don't think you would need to give equal time to other religious texts. I mean, it would make it more obvious that you are not "establishing" a religion if you teach multiple religious texts, but I think Texas could constitutionally get away with just teaching the Bible.

That said, if the curriculum is essentially passing on the wisdom of Jesus' parables, then I think no amount of equal time with the Quran could save the day.
 
Calheel said:
That is not what I mean by historical.

You could teach the bible as a historical document, which it is, and how it has influenced many schools of thought and cultures. You could also teach the history behind the drafting of the bible, the order in which the books were written, and the historical evidence of the likely authors. Things like that.

Of course, most of the evangelicals pushing for biblical education don't want that kind of education.
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In K thru 5th???
 
  • Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it"
There's a few of us who disprove this but it's what they are shooting for.
 
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