The Texas State Board of Education on Friday gave final approval to establishing a Bible elective for high schools but left specific class guidelines up to local school districts.
Board members voted 10-5 to adopt broad standards for the Bible class. In March, they had already approved current TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills) guidelines for the Bible class but Friday's vote follows the opinion handed down last week by Attorney General Greg Abbott that affirmed the constitutionality of the proposed standards.
“We have met the requirements of the legislation. We don’t want to stifle what they (school districts) are doing in classrooms," said board member Cynthia Dunbar, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Texas high schools can start offering the Bible class for the 2008-09 school year now that the rule has been approved by over two-thirds of the board.
“Elective Bible courses now have the final green light from the Texas State Board of Education and Texas has now gained an academic advantage," said Jonathan Saenz, director of legislative affairs for Free Market Foundation, who testified before the board in support of the class on Thursday.
Some critics, however, said that the without specific guidelines, school districts offering the course could run into legal issues later if a neutral viewpoint of religion is not maintained in the class.
But supporters of the rule say that such concerns are already addressed in the TEKS guidelines, which call for "religious neutrality" and the accommodation of diverse religious views in the classroom.
Furthermore, they argue, the Bible class examines the impact of the Bible on history and literature and is not about religion.
The author of the original bill, Rep. Warren Chisum, had previously affirmed that the class would not "preach the Bible" but examine it as a "document that has historical value." State lawmakers passed legislation on the Bible course in May.
"As we stated and the Attorney General has now confirmed, the current [standards] are sufficient and we are ready to move forward on the new Bible course laws," added Kelly Shackelford, president of Free Market Foundation, a group that helped passed legislation for the class.
Texas now joins other states like Georgia that offer Bible electives in high schools.
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Comments
It's hard to believe this is even an issue. Afterall, the Bible and the English Primer were the only textbooks students used at one time.
abhodim
I don't know much about this Bible course but I would think it looks at the Bible as literature, history, and etc giving the interested student a better understanding of Judaism, their history, their religious beliefs and etc while teaching them different literary and critical thinking skills. Also, I would think that the school would choose a Christian teacher to teach it.
Star,
I've seen the curriculum presented at bibleinschools. It is a very intensive 18 chapter course on a general overview of the Bible, lacking a study of the New Testament epistles and Revelation (for honest reasons, I judge), but supplementing the impact of religion in history and art. Easily a year's course, though some might rachet it down to knock it off as a semester, or split semester offering.
I remember an old aquaintance who insisted that to really understand the Bible, you have to cover the contents with dutiful daily readings over three years. I'm sure The Curriculum could make the nation more Bible literate (hey, it might bring back THE BIBLE as a category in Jeopardy!). But will this knowledge be faith?
steveh20, my point exactly what you might define as a sound understanding of the Bible might be totally opposite of mine. As you know I believe the Bible is the God-breathed, inerrant, plenary Word of God, but there are many who don't believe it is the Word of God at all, that it contains the Word of God or that it becomes the Word of God. Based on one's view of what the Bible is will more than likely impact one's teaching of a class on the Bible.
Flagged myself.
Thanks for your reply believer.
How would you define a "sound understanding of Gods word". I ask this because supposing the "two Isaiahs" (at least) approach was taken or JEPD to the pentatuch, would this be acceptable?. Not saying that these are right or wrong but Whose approach to the bible is it that will be taught?
Kind regards
Steve
P.s I went to a catholic secondary school (I think thats your high school?) and had excellent teaching on the bible.
If you want an idea of what will probably be taught then go to
National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Shools
http://www.bibleinschools.net/The-Curriculum
Click on Table of Contents or Unit 9 to see what is taught and how it is approached.
Ironically, it may surprise those who are atheistic or who don't approve of the Bible being taught in school. That Christians are indeed concerned about it as well, to be honest I would rather have it not be taught, than have it be taught incorrectly. In the same way a Buddhist or Muslim might be upset if their most sacred books were possibly being taught by people who are not even sympathetic towards their religion.
So I totally relate to the concerns that my Christian friends have with how this is "taught". We may possibly end up regretting that it is taught at all in a secular environment that is hostile towards Christianity.
steveh20, let me share a personal experience in my own life. My sophomore year of high school I was taught a Bible class in a Catholic Seminary. The teacher was an Anglican Priest who had this real need to point out all the "dirty" parts of the Bible. Now before either my Catholic or Anglican friends jump on this, yes I do know that this situation was an exception to the rule in more ways than one, but none the less it did happen. I'm not sure what safeguards a school district could put on such a course to ensure it is taught in a way that will allow for a fair and unbiased presentation of the curriculum.
i also am concerened that persons teaching the bible that are or would be hostile to it in the first place ..
unfortunatly it is not like in the first 100+ years of our country where our congress actually paid to have bibles in the classroom and liberal/ communist seperation of church from society doctrine not even considered. it's hard to believe that we went from a supreme court ( in the trinity decision circa 1900) that ruled this was a Christian nation founded on Christian Princials and Values to Judeo Christian faith and values are the only thing acceptable to be marinalized and made fun of. To the point where we actually have to be concerened who can teach the Bible and how it can be taught
Believer,
I too share your concerns about whom and how will this faith based program actually work? Who will be teaching these bible courses? Will it be someone who has a sound understanding of God’s Word or will it be someone who subscribes to a postmodern view? I am leery of these faith based programs to begin with; when churches begin to accept federal aid to run their programs; it could be a matter of time before churches will have to abide by strict federal guidelines. We are standing on thin ice when we begin to depend upon the government for financial aid. Christians should do what they have always done (trust the Lord) for their financial needs. Also, there was a reason why our founding fathers believed in the separation of church and state; it was that the civil and spiritual powers that be should not repeat the same corruptible practices that history bears witness to. This only complicates things in my opinion; we will see what transpires from this experiment.
to say that David and Jonathan were homosexual's is Blasphemney.
Believer
You make an interesting point.
What does it matter though what a teacher believes if they are following a pre set course? Thats like saying its makes a diffrenece if a physics/ chemistry/ maths etc...teacher is an atheist/ christian/ muslim.
Regards
Steve
That's what concerns me personally about this, is how will they determine who will teach the course. The Bible in the hands of the wrong person can be very dangerous. Say an agnostic or atheist were to teach the class, I doubt very much if they would teach the course with an unbiased viewpoint and not show their own personal biases as would a Bible believing Christian teaching the class. Personally, I'm think this could do more damage to the cause of Christ than help, but I'm willing to hear some other thoughts on my concerns.
Perhaps, Daverly, they will learn that David and Jonathan's love for each other is from the HEART and has NOTHING to do with sex. What a concept!!? Love, true love, is from the soul. Just like Jesus' love for us ALL.
hlerwin: What do you think about these high school students re-enacting the scene where David and Jonathan kiss, weep, and profess that their love for each other surpasses that of women?