AUSTIN — Texas high schools are not required to offer elective high school Bible courses under a new law adopted by the state last year, Attorney General Greg Abbott said Thursday.
The Legislature passed a law last year allowing for Bible courses to be offered as an elective starting in the 2009-2010 school year and directed the State Board of Education to adopt curriculum standards that do not run afoul of the constitutional separation of church and state.
But because of questions about whether a school district was required to offer the class, Education Commissioner Robert Scott asked Abbott for an opinion.
Abbott's office said the new law "authorizes but does not require school districts and charter schools to offer" the Bible course.
Lawmakers adopted the measure with an assurance the class would only focus on the history and literature of the Bible, and not proselytize for or disparage any faith. It also required the attorney general to review the curriculum.
The bill said the elective Bible course would expose students to biblical content and characters as key to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, oratory and public policy.
RSS
tamna, I personally have been in very few classes where the teacher's bias toward the subject matter did not come out. Plus, I have taught various classes myself and yes you do have a curriculum, but every good teacher I know personalizes them and in some cases some teachers simply choose to ignore the curriculum for the most part. Let me give you an example if you take a course on the American Civil War in the south and you are taught by a true southerner, there is a good chance that teacher will have a different view as to the cause of the war than a teacher who was born and raised in the north.
I disagree. And so does Thomas Jeffereson. In contrast to what many muslims will tell you Jefferson obtained a copy of the koran to study the thinking of America's enemies (the pirates) in Africa. By studying it he didn't become a muslim. I have read the Lotus Sutra and studied other Buddhist writings in order to understand the effect Buddhist teachings have on the culture and history of the country in which I live. I didn't become a Buddhist. So, I think, based on the influence the Bible has had on American history and culture, it is right for students to have a chance to study it in public schools if they so choose. And, me personally, I give teachers in our schoools credit for being able to teach the Bible (what it is, where it came from, its effect on American history and culture)without attempting to convince students it is the Word Of God. I believe, until proven wrong, that they can also teach it without calling it a book of fairy tales, which is the other side of the coin with regards to teacher bias. There have already been curriculums developed, accepted, and survived challenges in court that teach the Bible as history and literature and its effect on American culture. I think, based on the Bibles impact on American and world cultures, it would be a mistake not to offer and elective course in high schools. But hey, that's just me.
PAX
h8, I agree with you wholeheartedly since we cannot ensure what the teachers view of the Scriptures are, will they teach that it is nothing more than a good book, that it contains the Word of God, that it becomes the Word of God, or that it is indeed the Word of God. And to be honest I don't see how a teacher could teach a course on the Bible without their view of Scripture influencing it.
Why do school have to make bible classes necessary? God has establish a place for knowledge and worship. And who certifies that these people will teach the word of God correctly to your kids? It is parents jobs to make sure the word is preached correctly.