Should the Bible be taught in US public schools.

Originally posted by Nellinator
North American culture is actual quite specific. Religion is a major player in North America and affects almost everything you do, including the laws that you are supposed to follow. That is why it is so very culturally relevant.

My point is there is no universal understanding of ANY religion, certainly not in this country so that makes any teaching void.

While you can say that religion provides guidelines by which people live, I can't agree that one can not understand the culture without religion. If I have a basic understand of the morals of a culture then that's enough. I don't need to know the stories of the Bible to understand that.

Also, I think we all know it is way too optimistic to believe that Christian interest groups would support teach of the Bible AND the Qur'an. It's not so black and white. Some other religion would feel left out and want in and so on. There would be a cut off point, someone is pissed.
So then the argument is it ok to leave them out simple because they are a minority?

Originally posted by Nellinator
North American culture is actual quite specific. Religion is a major player in North America and affects almost everything you do, including the laws that you are supposed to follow. That is why it is so very culturally relevant. What are there 50 million church goers in the United States? That's a massive chunk of the population. The option of choosing to learn about these 50 million people should be there imo.

This has got to be one of the most absurd posts you've made.

If more people actually READ the Bible, and knew the History of the Church, they would know more about the basis of Christianity and would be better able to make any decision in regard to the religion.

Isolating someone from a religion is just as bad as forcing it upon others. You should NOT force anyone to be Atheist, the same way you should not force anyone to be Christian, by isolating them from the subject or by shoving the Bible down thier throat.

Most Christians, beleive it or not, are not aware of the fact that thier Bible indirectly promotes violence and close mindedness...

Many Christians who focus on forgiveness aren't even aware that the Bible ALSO promotes punishment and judgement....

If more people knew these things...if the Bible was EXPOSED for what it truly is.....trust me....things would be much better. People would make much better decisions...

A person who is against violence, judgement, and hypocrisy would most likely turn away from the Bible.

A person who is true to the ideals of judgement, "justice", service, tradition, and uniform culture may find the Bible is truly thiers to treasure...

At least decisions would be based on the entirely of the Bible, with a fuller and more experience view on the matter, than just by Blind Faith or Blind bias.

Originally posted by Nellinator
North American culture is actual quite specific. Religion is a major player in North America and affects almost everything you do, including the laws that you are supposed to follow. That is why it is so very culturally relevant. What are there 50 million church goers in the United States? That's a massive chunk of the population. The option of choosing to learn about these 50 million people should be there imo.

The number of Americans with no religious preference has doubled in the last ten years to 16 percent; that is forty-seven million people, making “Nones” more numerous than any single faith group except Roman Catholics. Why are you not advocating that they be learned about?

It’s also worth noting that in what Religious Right activists love to call “a Christian nation,” fully forty percent of the population belongs to no church, temple, synagogue, or mosque. Relevant, indeed.

🙄

I don't think we are a "Christian nation" but Christianity dominates our conception of everything in this nation.

Keep in mind that "no affiliation" does not mean "no religion" or athiest/agnostic.

Originally posted by Adam_PoE
The number of Americans with no religious preference has doubled in the last ten years to 16 percent; that is forty-seven million people, making “Nones” more numerous than any single faith group except Roman Catholics. Why are you not advocating that they be learned about?

It’s also worth noting that in what Religious Right activists love to call “a Christian nation,” fully forty percent of the population belongs to no church, temple, synagogue, or mosque. Relevant, indeed.

🙄

You also forgot to mention the recorded fact that over 40% of EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS do not know that much about the Bible.....

You also forgot that Americans don't know tha much about the bible.

Originally posted by Alliance
You also forgot that Americans don't know tha much about the bible.

That too

Originally posted by Adam_PoE
The number of Americans with no religious preference has doubled in the last ten years to 16 percent; that is forty-seven million people, making “Nones” more numerous than any single faith group except Roman Catholics. Why are you not advocating that they be learned about?

Relevant, indeed.

🙄

And sure atheism can be taught and many things that are rejected by many Christians (evolution and speciation come to mind) are taught in public schools. Should these be outlawed because they are contrary to a lot of people's beliefs? No.

Teach them both I do not care, but culture and science are equally relevant.

Originally posted by Alliance
I don't think we are a "Christian nation" but Christianity dominates our conception of everything in this nation.

Keep in mind that "no affiliation" does not mean "no religion" or athiest/agnostic.

And you don't see that as a bit of a reach?

Originally posted by Alliance
You also forgot that Americans don't know tha much about the bible.

That should say most people, rather than simply Americans

I disucuss what I feel I have a basis to. This thread is about Biblical education in the US. Look at the title.

I hate to exclude foreign discussion, but it helps to keep topics relevant.

The Bible should be taught so people can see it for what it really is....a large collection of contradicting wisdom and bullshit....

Most people who have an unquestioning devout regard to the Bible don't actually read it.....

Originally posted by chithappens
That should say most people, rather than simply Americans

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
The Bible should be taught so people can see it for what it really is....a large collection of contradicting wisdom and bullshit....

Most people who have an unquestioning devout regard to the Bible don't actually read it.....

There should be Philosophical/Religious education....obviously.

Originally posted by Bardock42
There should be Philosophical/Religious education....obviously.

Agreed and it should cover several or at least the "world" religions as most people today do not have a clue.

Originally posted by Bardock42
There should be Philosophical/Religious education....obviously.

Originally posted by Bardock42
There should be Philosophical/Religious education....obviously.

College, this I agree with. K-12, no. There is no neutral teaching of religion. Even if I learn about a philosophical paradigm I don't agree with, there's no way to just say "This is what it is. Don't think about it! Don't even pay any mind if it directly makes what you believe seem questionable."

And TRH, there's no way to say that people, as a majoirty, outside of America have a much better understanding of the Bible. Most people are just idiots, PERIOD. That don't mind not giving a damn and just being find with what they were given because that's what makes them comfortable.

The world would be a much different place if people, as a majority, understood what they say they believe and actually applied it in their actions.

Originally posted by chithappens
College, this I agree with. K-12, no. There is no neutral teaching of religion. Even if I learn about a philosophical paradigm I don't agree with, there's no way to just say "This is what it is. Don't think about it! Don't even pay any mind if it directly makes what you believe seem questionable."

And TRH, there's no way to say that people, as a majoirty, outside of America have a much better understanding of the Bible. Most people are just idiots, PERIOD. That don't mind not giving a damn and just being find with what they were given because that's what makes them comfortable.

The world would be a much different place if people, as a majority, understood what they say they believe and actually applied it in their actions.