Biblical classes...

[Crapshoot]

ODESSA, Texas (AP) -- The school board in the West Texas town of Odessa voted unanimously to add a Bible class to its high school curriculum.

Hundreds of people, most of them supporters of the proposal, packed the board meeting Tuesday night. More than 6,000 Odessa residents had signed a petition supporting the class.

Some residents, however, said the school board acted too quickly. Others said they feared a national constitutional fight.

Barring any hurdles, the class should be added to the curriculum in fall 2006 and taught as a history or literature course. The school board still must develop a curriculum, which board member Floy Hinson said should be open for public review.

The board had heard a presentation in March from Mike Johnson, a representative of the Greensboro, North Carolina-based National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools, who said that coursework designed by that organization is not about proselytizing or preaching.

But People for the American Way and the American Civil Liberties union have criticized the council, saying its materials promote religion.

Johnson said students in the elective class would learn such things as the geography of the Middle East and the influence of the Bible on history and culture.

"How can students understand Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper' or Handel's 'Messiah' if they don't understand the reference from which they came?" Johnson said. The group's Web site says its curriculum has received backing in 292 school districts in 35 states.

In Frankenmuth, Michigan, a similar proposal led to a yearlong controversy before the school board voted in January not to offer such a course.

I'm waiting for the Quran, Bhagvad Gita and Talmud classes as well - clearly in a cross cultural context, because no one would dream of using this class for anything but that.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

I'm waiting for the Quran, Bhagvad Gita and Talmud classes as well - clearly in a cross cultural context, because no one would dream of using this class for anything but that.

The Quran was recently on reading lists around here. I'm pretty sure UNC had it on one of their Summer reading lists not too long ago, soon after 9/11, but I may be remembering incorrectly.

[Glengoyne]

I took a "Bible as literature" course in college, but that couldn't have been mistaken for a Bible Study in any way shape or form. I'm hoping that would be the flavor of this, but I doubt that is what will be delivered. I'm also sure that would be the last thing the "hundreds of people" supporting the measure are looking for. I just think it would be great if that is what was delivered.

[Klinglerware]

I wouldn't have a problem with it if the curriculum were designed by an academic. There is nothing controversial about teaching the Bible or any other religious text if, as the proponents of this course claim, it is "taught as a history or literature course" (quoted from the article) where the text is studied in its socio-cultural/historic context...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

I took a "Bible as literature" course in college, but that couldn't have been mistaken for a Bible Study in any way shape or form. I'm hoping that would be the flavor of this, but I doubt that is what will be delivered. I'm also sure that would be the last thing the "hundreds of people" supporting the measure are looking for. I just think it would be great if that is what was delivered.

Likewise. In fact, it was probably the best class I had at Michigan. Great glass. Amazing profressor. Interesting subject.