Quote Originally Posted by Thorne View Post
mkemse, would you have any objection to public schools using, let us say, "The Lord of the Rings" as part of a study of literature? It is considered by many scholars as a masterpiece of fiction. It is also filled with religious ideas and ideals. True, it's not Christian, though it's not far off.
How about a study of history? Hard to do without sticking religion in there somewhere. The Puritans came to this land to escape religious persecution. So did many others. Guess we shouldn't teach that in school, either.
Well, one thing for sure, we can teach the kids patriotism, can't we? Let's make sure they know the Pledge of Allegiance. No, wait, they use the "G" word in there, don't they? Guess we better not say that any more.
Anyway, we have to teach them about the marvelous Declaration of Independence, one of the building blocks of our nation. Just let them memorize... Damn! There it is again, right in the first sentence. And Holy Moses, the second sentence actually uses the word <whisper> "Creator." Can't have that! That implies a religious doctrine. Toss the Declaration!

Let's face it, this country was founded upon principles which are relatively common in most religions, but the founders were overwhelmingly Christian. They had the foresight to prevent the government from promoting one religion over any other, and allow the citizens of this country to worship (or not) as they choose. That does not negate the possibility of teaching ABOUT religion in schools. It does not mean you cannot teach the CONCEPT of God, whether the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Norse, Greek or Roman gods. Religion has played a tremendous role in the development of the world: you cannot teach children about the world without bringing religion into it somehow. And the Bible, Koran, Torah and many other religious documents have important historical significance as well. You can use these documents as tools of study, just as you would use Shakespeare's writings, or Poe's or Hemingway's. Studying the influence of religion on our world, or the evolution of religion throughout history, or even a comparison of religions, does not, in and of itself, promote a religious belief.

My only objection is the Mandating Of Study In open Class The Holy Bible In Public Schools that is all i am saying and Indoctrinatung students to it in PUBLICLY FUNDED SCHOOLS
If someone asked me if i would object to tax payer mnoey being used to mandate the study of the Torha in Public Schools, my answer is YES I do not believe that INDOCTINATION OF ANY RELIGION BELONGS IN PUBLY FUNDED TAX PAYING SCHOOLS, that is one of the thing that privateschoold are for
The Church owns schools so they can teach there student the way of the Catholic Church, that is what a Catholic School is for in addition to the other things they teach, their parents pay for that type of schooling the Government does not supprot fincialy that type of schoolYou can learn about religion in public settings without indoctrination f they have a class where ALL religions are sutdied but the bible is not taken book by book, the torha is nottken page by page the kouran then same and they discuss what the differcne is betwee n them, that is on e thing that is NOT FORCING STUDETS to study and comprehend 1 specific religion