Religion editor David Van Biema looks at the growing trend of teaching the Bible in public schools as a cultural document. While some objects (both conservatives and liberals) other people see this as an opportunity to help contextualize American culture. From the founding fathers to the Martin Luther King and modern politicians, biblical images and ideas have influenced our national rhetoric as well as our national imagination.
Some biblical literacy may help shine light into American history as well as the current cultural conversation. I agree with Biema that this is a positive development. I think the Bible has played a particular role in our history and it is worthy to explore that connection.
The kind of class Biema discusses is not a comparative religion class but sounds more like a class in cultural literacy. And yet, I also see the value in comparative religion classes.
While I am an Evangelical Christian, I think students should have some basic knowledge of various world religions, including the tremendous influence of some ancient religions such as Zoroastrianism. I am opposed to the idea that faiths which have shaped people groups and nations should be completely excluded from the public conversation.
If we truly embrace diversity, we should be able to listen to one another, and still feel free to disagree.
March 26, 2007 at 6:12 pm
As an soon-to-be-grad undergraduate in religious studies I can’t agree with you more. I’m not too sure how much “teaching the Bible” would accomplish, but more secondary schools need to offer a course similar to World Religions 101.
I think there will always be fear on both sides with something like religion being taught. Conservatives will worry that liberal teachers will put a negative spin on religion and/or Christianity, whilst liberals will worry that the Bible will be used as some sort of absolute truth (I’m using the terms “conservative” and “liberal” very broadly).
March 26, 2007 at 8:18 pm
This trend of people accepting the teaching of the Bible in public schools can turn either way. It can turn for good, people knowing more about God, true faith, etc… But it can also turn people to forget that the Bible is really divinely inspired, make people forget that it is more than a book of history/good morals/stories/…
At least when there is a controversy, people are passionate about their thoughts on the Bible…
Just a thought…