Should the Bible be taught in US public schools.

Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
Back in the day-in Scotland(maybe all the UK Religious Education is compulsory)- we had an RE teacher who was actually the leader of a small independent Church, now he tried to convert people, it was obvious, but I don't think he ever managed to get anyone...it may have had something to do with the fact that we were all capable of understanding the stuff and immune to any brainwashing, though I don't think he was brainwashing as such, just preaching opposed to teaching.

Back in the day? As in no longer, or when you were younger?

And that illustrates exactly one of my main arguments against public religious education.

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
Back in the day? As in no longer, or when you were younger?

And that illustrates exactly one of my main arguments against public religious education.

To be honest Captain, you have a very valid point, now I always had a fairly good bunch of RE-teachers although most were Christian and so did hold biased teaching methods, however, there are always going to be those who preach that their religion is the truth, and that there is no room for debate. However, we could have this problem in history, in science, in politics and so on. It would be all to easy for a history teacher to promote Hitler, but we aren't trying to stop history are we?

No, because we do tend to trust those who teach history to do so professionally, we should extend the same courtesy to qualified RE teachers.

Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
First Amendment

So what? No one is breaking it.

Originally posted by Alliance
So what? No one is breaking it.

Read it in context Alliance, lets not forget that our good friend Phelps tried to sue Ronald Regan for breaking the First Amendment by sending an ambassador to the Holy See.

My point was, that the first amendment is the problem because some people might argue it is being broken.

But it is not, so what do we care what zelots think?

We have an independant judiciary for a reason.

Originally posted by Alliance
But it is not, so what do we care what zelots think?

We have an independant judiciary for a reason.

Doesn't change the fact that there is the problem. The FA.

FA?

I thought I would shorted First Amendment to FA...but I wont bother again. However, we digress from the point.

To be honest Captain Fantastic has valid point, now I always had a fairly good bunch of RE-teachers although most were Christian and so did hold biased teaching methods, however, there are always going to be those who preach that their religion is the truth, and that there is no room for debate. However, we could have this problem in history, in science, in politics and so on. It would be all to easy for a history teacher to promote Hitler, but we aren't trying to stop history are we?

No, because we do tend to trust those who teach history to do so professionally, we should extend the same courtesy to qualified RE teachers.

Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
To be honest Captain, you have a very valid point, now I always had a fairly good bunch of RE-teachers although most were Christian and so did hold biased teaching methods, however, there are always going to be those who preach that their religion is the truth and that there is no room for debate.

No in a country that has a firmly established tradition of not discriminating against a minority or religion that has less followers. Beyond that, there is a seperation of church and state. If you want your kids to learn about religion you can send them to a religious school, just like my parents did.

Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
However, we could have this problem in history, in science, in politics and so on. It would be all to easy for a history teacher to promote Hitler, but we aren't trying to stop history are we?

But there's really no comparisson. Look at the examples of when a teacher has taught evolution to a child; the parents went nuts. If a teacher started promoting Hitler's actions and beliefs he'd be fired.

I see no difference.

Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
I see no difference.

Not many schools would go so far as to fire someone for teaching his religion to students. At least not until the ACLU got involved.

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
Not many schools would go so far as to fire someone for teaching his religion to students. At least not until the ACLU got involved.

It depends where the school is, and what the teacher is preaching. However, I think that Religious Education, like many subjects, is essential however it needs to be regulated, for the protection of children and the subject!

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
😆

And Abraham's followers became jews, christians and muslims and so on.

The reformation is taught in school still, as far as I know. I forgot you were from Canada.

You think the Renaissance is a result of christianity? And why not include the Holy Roman empire?

Sure, you could quickly skim over why so many books were included and why some were not. But I'm talking about all of them. Maybe the teacher could point out how the baby Jesus floated down from heaven and told those church officials which books should be included in the Bible and which (and more importantly why)others should not. Maybe the teacher could explain why Mary Magdalene has been portrayed as a hooker for the last 2000 years. Why women have been treated like second class citizens to this day. Why don't you tell us the short and sweet answer to why this is such a light topic in the history of "modern" christianity?

The inquisition might not be effecting the daily happenings of the average high school age christian in Canada, but it certainly has a lot to do with religious relevance, and it's effect on human history.

Yes.

Okay then.

No, but the Renaissance influenced Christian thinking heavily and changed how the church had to operate.

Or how about...
Most Christian, especially the Orthodox and Catholic churches consider the Council of Nicea divinely inspired by the holy spirit... and then go on from there. The Council of Nicea should be taught, it was extremely influential on world history not just North American. Sure they can talk about women and religion, its more than possible. There isn't a short and sweet answer, however there was a nice little civil debate about it in another thread not so long ago.

I fail to see how... unless you are simply referring to it being one of many for some people not to believe. In which case that would fall under atheism and agnosticism not Christianity.

Originally posted by Nellinator
Really, think about it though, as horrible as the Inquisition was it never changed doctrine, nor was it the last act of brutality. Ultimately it never impacted Christianity.

#1 That's sad. #2 It's an example of christianity impacting us.

Originally posted by Nellinator
No, but the Renaissance influenced Christian thinking heavily and changed how the church had to operate.

How does the church change the way it operates when it's gotten it's marching orders from god himself?

Originally posted by Nellinator
Or how about...Most Christian, especially the Orthodox and Catholic churches consider the Council of Nicea divinely inspired by the holy spirit...

Maybe the teacher could point out how the baby Jesus floated down from heaven and told those church officials which books should be included in the Bible

Originally posted by Nellinator
The Council of Nicea should be taught, it was extremely influential on world history not just North American.

No argument, and there are millions of grave yards to prove it.

Originally posted by Nellinator
Sure they can talk about women and religion, its more than possible. There isn't a short and sweet answer, however there was a nice little civil debate about it in another thread not so long ago.

Thanks for the permission. However, there is a short and sweet answer. I know you know it. The problem is that when many people figure it out or take the time to learn it, they see it for what it is: A flawed human game of manipulation and fear mongering. There's nothing divine about it. And in regard to your permission to discuss women, are we going to include them in the lecture as they're represented in those gospels that are not included by the divine intervention of god?

Originally posted by Nellinator
I fail to see how... unless you are simply referring to it being one of many for some people not to believe. In which case that would fall under atheism and agnosticism not Christianity.

One of many what not to believe in? Inquisitions? Religions?

Maybe your mom should be taught in public schools.

Originally posted by FeceMan
Maybe your mom should be taught in public schools.

She was, that's why she sent me to private achool.

Originally posted by Nellinator
Really, think about it though, as horrible as the Inquisition was it never changed doctrine,

The Inquisition wasn't about doctrine, it was about power.

And senseless execution.

And it obviously had some impact on the Church, as its still around.

Originally posted by Alliance
And senseless execution.

And it obviously had some impact on the Church, as its still around.

It set a precedent yes, it was ok for the Church to order mass-murders.

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
She was, that's why she sent me to private achool.