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it's an elective, don't want to take it? problem solved, they had it when I went to school, i never took it so whats the big deal?
One, the big deal is whether the course is a STUDY of a religion, or if the course is a PROMOTION of a religion. Mr Green, who is funding it, PROMOTES religion. So that's one concern.
Two, public schools are peer pressure cookers. While the function of schools is to educate students, students develop more than their minds in school. They develop their social identities and personalities there as well. If this course develops an exclusive character, like cheerleading and athletic organizations sometimes do, it can end up promoting a theology rather than promoting an objective study of that theology. So the school is obligated to monitor that aspect of its course offerings.
The biggest deterrent of Christianity or religion for me was the bible. After I read it with an open mind, I realized it was improbable on a historical, moral, archaeological, and social level. Today's students are more sophisticated. Mr. Green's intent with this may backfire when these students come to this same conclusion.
Yes religion is a part of history, many religions in addition to Christianity are a part of history but there is a need to devote one course to the history of the bible, in the bible belt no less.
How do you decide whether or not there is a need?
Here is Harrier's method: if students enroll in the class then there was a need - if they don't then the course can be rightfully dropped as an economic drain on the school district.
Here is Harrier's method: if students enroll in the class then there was a need - if they don't then the course can be rightfully dropped as an economic drain on the school district.
So if students choose a course in how to manage your smart phone there is a need because it's popular. If you read the article the PTA had issues with the course, seems like funding a language class or advanced placement class in science would be a better choice for electives. Teaching students in the bible belt about Christianity is like teaching 7 footers how to dunk a basketball.
I took a comparative religion course as an elective in high school.
So I don't have an issue with religiously based electives, but I would worry that kids who don't take it may be bullied or pressured to do so by teachers and administrators.
I also would rather have like a comparative religion course. I had not learned much about many lesser known religious practices until taking that class and it was very informative in regards to the history of religion and I think a lot of high school students, even Christians would enjoy such a course.
That's a separate issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodnight
Teaching the Bible history, I understand this is done at the college level but this does not belong in public high schools. I don't agree with it to begin with but a even a bible history course could go in a number of directions, especially being developed by Steve Green.
They should not be teaching the bible in public schools.
We'll see how consistent the liberals are --- since the Muslims are getting all kinds of Islamic books into the schools and even having Islam taught to all students, will liberals have the same tolerance or even encouragement of Christianity?
Teaching students in the bible belt about Christianity is like teaching 7 footers how to dunk a basketball.
The difference is that the history of a religion(or a book affiliated with a religion) is a subject broad enough to be worthy of a class, whereas dunking is a skill that can be taught within a general P.E. class, or in a basketball program.
7 footers who want to play basketball are going to join the B-ball team(an elective) and students that want to learn about the history of the Bible are going to take the Bible history class.
Harrier disagrees that just because a state is in the "Bible belt" that the class is "redundant".
Not everyone who lives in Oklahoma is familiar with the Bible, and those who do attend a church may not be versed in the history of the Bible, because a church isn't necessarily going to teach that history.
Harrier has taught Sunday School and he would like to take a Bible history class.
You are making some unfounded assumptions - and your position, if enacted, would have the effect of limiting knowledge.
Schools are in the business of imparting knowledge, not suppressing it to those who seek to learn.
The difference is that the history of a religion(or a book affiliated with a religion) is a subject broad enough to be worthy of a class, whereas dunking is a skill that can be taught within a general P.E. class, or in a basketball program.
7 footers who want to play basketball are going to join the B-ball team(an elective) and students that want to learn about the history of the Bible are going to take the Bible history class.
Harrier disagrees that just because a state is in the "Bible belt" that the class is "redundant".
Not everyone who lives in Oklahoma is familiar with the Bible, and those who do attend a church may not be versed in the history of the Bible, because a church isn't necessarily going to teach that history.
Harrier has taught Sunday School and he would like to take a Bible history class.
You are making some unfounded assumptions - and your position, if enacted, would have the effect of limiting knowledge.
Schools are in the business of imparting knowledge, not suppressing it to those who seek to learn.
Religion is important as a part of any history class, providing a singular class to teach one scripture is over the top. I question that this is not redundant in that geographic location and the background of students that choose this as an elective, teaching Christian history to Christian students would be redundant. All for increasing knowledge just not in this fashion.
Would Harrier sign up for a Buddhist or Islamic class as an elective.
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