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TechnoratiVan Biema noted that schools do not have to make the class mandatory, even creating alternative world religion classes to balance the studies. Public institutions can also do a test trial to see if it is successful.
In his article, the religion writer also made note of The Bible and Its Influence - written by Cullen Schippe, former vice president at Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, and Chuck Stetson, Founder and Chairman of the Bible Literacy Project - which has stirred up debates within and outside Christian circles.
Van Biema suggested the book be used as a companion textbook to public school Bible courses, describing it as largely non-biased.
Several Christians and non-Christians have disagreed with the use of this book, however, citing a number of reasons.
Secular challengers opposed to the textbook feel that it is still “written as if I am a Protestant Christian teaching Protestant Christians," according to Jennifer Kendrick, one of the first Bible-literacy teachers in the nation, in the Time article.
They also argue that even if the book is impartial, the person that teaches it may not be.
Meanwhile, some Christians have also voiced disapproval of the book, including radio talk show co-host Nancy Manno of the In Great Company, who said it “uses the Bible to advance a secular humanist agenda and a one world, pluralistic religion.”
Despite all the controversy, Van Biema concludes his piece by again emphasizing the large impact of the Bible, and why it is a must read in America.
“Sure, there will be bumps along the way. But in the end, what is required in teaching about the Bible in our public schools is patriotism: a belief that we live in a nation that understands the wisdom of its Constitution clearly enough to allow the most important book in its history to remain vibrantly accessible for everyone.”
On the web: full Time article at time.com.
Correction: Monday, April 2, 2007:
An article on Friday, Mar. 30, 2007, about Christian reactions to a Time magazine cover story that supported teaching the Bible in public schools incorrectly reported that “The Bible and Its Influence,“ a possible textbook for the class, was written by Freedom Forum First Amendment Center Senior Scholar Charles Haynes. The text was actually written by Cullen Schippe, former vice president at Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, and Chuck Stetson, Founder and Chairman of the Bible Literacy Project. Haynes was one of 40 scholars, educators, and legal experts who reviewed the textbook.
