Thread: Religious Literacy

Time magazine recently featured a cover story called "The Case for Teaching the Bible," giving a new slant to the controversial topic. One audience member says she doesn't think the Bible should be taught in public school. "If we're a multicultural nation, we should be taught all religious texts and philosophical texts in a proper context," she says. Mark, a school board president, says he opposes teaching the Bible because of the separation of church and state. "The First Amendment's very clear—you don't mix government and religion," he says.

Professor Stephen Prothero, who was featured in the Time magazine article, is the chairman of religious studies at Boston University and the author of the book Religious Literacy: What Every American Should Know—and Doesn't. Despite the arguments against it, he says the Bible should be taught in schools. Stephen says many people don't know enough about the Bible, and it plays a major part in our culture and politics.

Stephen says the challenge is to teach the Bible in schools without preaching it to students. "It's not about trying to turn people into Christians or getting them to believe in Jesus. It's about trying to get them to understand what's going on in the world and understand what's going on in American politics," he says. In addition to learning about the Bible, Stephen agrees that a course on world religions should be added to the curriculum so students could learn about other belief systems.


I thought this was an interesting subject. I saw this on the Oprah Winfrey show. I'm kind of torn with this. I feel it is a parent or parents responsibility to teach their child/children about religious text at home. But at the same time I can understand what this man is trying to say....what are your thoughts on this?

I thought this was an interesting subject. I'm kind of torn with this. I feel it is a parent or parents responsibility to teach their child/children about religious text but at the same time I can understand what this man is trying to say....what are your thoughts on this?

In my opinion religious texts and icons have no place withing the walls of a public school these schools are meant to function as a place for diversity not only cultural diversity but also diversity in religious form.

If you allow religious texts into public school then these texts should represent the diversity of the student body.

Should the bible be taught so to should the Koran the hindu scriptures the atheist viewpoint and half a dozen other religious texts.

I think it is important for children to understand all religions. Understanding is the key against hate. The only problem I have is people teaching the Bible that don’t believe. I could not teach Jehovah witness ways and not show my lack of respect for it. Most non-Christians don’t understand the Bible. I also find the best teachers for the youth are the youth. Having a young Christian, Jewish, Muslim and so forth come in and explain their belief would help. The Bible regardless of what atheist think is a part of our society and not all children are taught at home or attend Church.

The Bible regardless of what atheist think is a part of our society and not all children are taught at home or attend Church.

Thats why parents have the option of sending their children to catholic schools where they can have all the prayer time they want.

Originally Posted by Orthodox Marxist

Thats why parents have the option of sending their children to catholic schools where they can have all the prayer time they want.

That has nothing to do with the subject.

That has nothing to do with the subject.

Of course it does if you want the bible taught to your children send them to catholic school. Public school has no place for religious belief nor would there be any benefit to having it there.

Originally Posted by Orthodox Marxist

Of course it does if you want the bible taught to your children send them to catholic school. Public school has no place for religious belief nor would there be any benefit to having it there.

You just want to argue and they cry about being Pmed. What’s wrong afraid that children might not hate us like you do if they understand us?

You just want to argue and they cry about being Pmed.

I did not cry about anything I informed you that you were wrong when you said "I know for a fact terry did not send any pms".

What’s wrong afraid that children might not hate us like you do if they understand us?

I dont hate Christians I just dont believe they have any right to preach in a public setting.

No but you would rather everyone hate each other. I don’t want Religion preached in schools either. What I do want is an understanding of different Religions. If a person or parent teaches their child Christians are evil, Muslims are all extremist, and so forth that is what they will act on. Let the youth teach the youth and then no Religion will be pushed on them but they may have a better understanding if even respect for others.

No but you would rather everyone hate each other.

How do I want people to hate each other?

Let the youth teach the youth and then no Religion will be pushed on them but they may have a better understanding if even respect for others.

The youth are more often then not so indoctrinated that what they teach is very dangerous.