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The cover story of this week?s TIME magazine asks the question, ?Should the Holy Book be on the public-school menu?? Surprisingly, the answer given is, ?Yes.? As an avid TIME reader, I was quite taken aback to find a positive case for the teaching of Scripture in public schools.
According to David Van Biema, TIME?s senior religion writer, the teaching of the Bible in public schools is growing considerably. 60% of Americans are in favor of having the Bible taught as an object of study in public schools. Last year Georgia became the first state to offer money for Old and New Testament classes where the Bible is used as the primary text. The two largest producers of Bible curriculum for public schools report that there are 460 public school districts in 37 states that use their materials.
In this article I am going to summarize the positive case made by TIME, and then offer some critical reflection.
The Case for Teaching the Bible in Public Schools according to TIME
1. Teaching the Bible in public schools is constitutional. In the 1963 Supreme Court decision, Abington Township School District v. Schempp, the majority opinion concluded, ?Nothing we have said here indicates that such study of the Bible or of religion, when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education, may not be effected consistently with the First Ammendment.?
2. Biblical literacy is shockingly low. Only one in two adults know the title of even one Gospel, and most can?t name the first book of the Bible, Genesis. George Gallup dubbed Americans, ?a nation of biblical illiterates.?
3. The Bible is the most influential book ever written. The Bible has done more to shape literature, history, entertainment, and culture than any book ever written. Its influence on world history is unparalleled, and shows no signs of abating. Even pop culture is deeply influenced by the Bible.
source:
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/ ~Sean McDowell