Is it a good idea to teach the Bible in public schools? My answer is a resounding yes and here’s why: There is no question about the importance of the Bible and its influence in American history. Where — may I ask — did the founding fathers of this nation get their founding principles — especially the principle of individual liberty — from? From the “benevolent” king George III? From the mind of man? No, they got their inspiration as well as the founding principles from the Bible, thus, this book is indisputable in our nation’s founding and its history.
School children were even taught their ABCs from the Bible. That in itself is a “Bible study,” is it not? Senate Bill 138 is good for education because it allows schools to teach the Bible as history without being religious at all.
No legislative body is making a law here establishing an “official” state religion. The purpose of the “establishment clause” in the U.S. Constitution was to ensure that there would be no official state religion — that’s it.
The founding fathers had certainly enough of an official state religion with the Church of England. Furthermore, it was never the intention of our founding fathers to exclude God from the workings of government. As a matter of fact, church services were even held in federal government buildings. For example, Patrick Henry’s famous “give me liberty” speech was given in a church. You can teach that in schools because it’s a historical fact.
Clearly I see battle lines being drawn here. The war is over the input in the hearts and minds of our children — thus our future. To me, it is a contest of believing the truth of our nation’s founding principles and prosperity or believing a bunch of hogwash that a lot of what modern history revisionists are conjuring up. It is not the light that fears the darkness. It is the other way around.
RAY CLARKE SR.
Elizabeth City
Comments
bible role in us history
Ray--Where in the Bible does it extoll individual liberty, democracy, due process, freedom, or any other American value? I require book, chapter and verse. If America was founded on Biblical principles, why is there no mention of the Bible, the Christian God ("their Creator" is tactfully vague, almost meaningless), Jesus, the Ten Commandments or any other Christian doctrine in any of our founding documents?
"Where did the founding fathers get their founding principles?" Become literate and read a book, Ray. (That is, a book not authored by well-known Christian pseudo-history huckster and liar-for-Jesus David Barton.) They derived them from 4,000 years of legal and civil tradition, contributed to by many cultures, Judeo-Christian, "pagan" and secular, culminating in the Enlightenment--the philosophy by which the Founding Fathers were most influenced.
Patrick Henry was the only Founding Father who was what we would call an evangelical Christian. He was the only one who actively lobbied to make America a "Christian nation". He was largely, and rightly, ignored by his colleagues and wound up retiring in frusration from public service.
What's wrong with "teaching the Bible as history without being religious?" That's very clumsily worded, but if I understand you properly, I would say: Nothing, if that's the way it is taught. But I really don't think that's what you have in mind here, and even if it is, can you personally guarantee that this is the way it WILL be taught in every classroom in the state?
Founding fathers/founding principles
Which founding principles did our founding fathers take from the Bible? I'm not disputing your statement, just interested in your response. Scripture references would be helpful. Thanks. :)
Add comment
Instant Access to Your Favorite TV Shows Here. 100% Free Download.
tvshowinsider.com
Public Arrest Records
1) Enter Name and State. 2) Access Full Background Checks Instantly.
instantcheckmate.com/
Free Reference Toolbar
Look Up Opinion Now Define Words Quickly-Free Download!
AddonReveiws.com/Reference
military history
Search for military history
twely.co.uk