South Dakota Legislature Passes Resolution “Encouraging” Bible Study Courses In Public Schools

How totally offensive this legislation is !

religion does not belong in public schools p\eriod.

There is a place for religion, and it is not in our schools.

I would be curious to find out how many students actually take these courses. Most teens really do not want to go to church and I cannot imagine very many really will want to take these courses.

Oh goodie, here we go again on the religion in schools. :)

So let's see using some of the opening post own words.

The " Republicans across the country are trying to force Christianity upon every man, woman, and child in America.". Said conclusion supported by the statement that "...the South Dakota legislature has passed a resolution that “encourages” public schools to create Bible study courses of their own". "Encourages" is not a requirement or an establishment (that pesky word). Also note the application of the Resolution to only one state. There are 49 more (except in Obamageography where there are 56 more) that are not addressed by the Resolution.

Now, of course, the argument that republicans are "forcing" is backed up by the post which continues on to say that "The bill permits schools to add an elective Bible study course and explicitly requires that such courses not violate First Amendment rights ". Forgive me but "elective" does not mean mandatory. Mandatory would be the proviso that all must obtain health care such as under Obamacare. "Elective" would be the opposite not to mention the fact that the bill permits the schools to add if they wish to, presumably doing so reflects the wishes of the students/parents. Additionally,since the intent, as stated in the opening post, is to violate the First Amendment one wonders just how that squares with the admisssion elsewhere in the post that the resolution "explicitly requires that such courses not violate First Amendment rights".

The rest is conjecture and supposition on the part of our friendly poster.

Interesting. A political group trying to force Christianity on everyone in America does so by passing one Resolution in one state encouraging, not requiring, schools to create elective, not mandatory, bible study courses with a mandate that the courses don't violate the First Amendment.

Yeah, right.

This could totally backfire. Most people that claim to follow the bible have not actually read it and have allowed it to be interpreted to them by others.

One of the main reasons that I reject organized religion, especially religions based on any text is the the obvious man made stamp that is on all religious texts. Reading the bible made me quickly realize how insane religion based on a book was.

To begin with the premise that "GOD" is all knowing, then there is no way the message would be relayed in such a flawed and contradiction laden method such as text. All texts and people that claim to understand GOD and know what GOD wants are a sham and are committing blasphemy by definition.

If GOD exists and GOD is omnipotent and GOD was really interested in how human beings behave, don't you think that GOD would have the ability to make his/her/its wishes clear?

I think everyone should read all religious texts and be tested for comprehension. The more thought that goes into religion, the more absurd it all is.

I do not know if there is a GOD or a power that I do not comprehend, but I do know that books are written by people with an agenda.

"But he’s not trying to force Christianity down anyone’s throat. Honest!"

Yeah he's saying: Come on baby, just kiss it a little. Please, baby, please!

I am as liberal as the next person and I also consider my self spiritual, not religious. However, I really do NOT see a problem with offering an elective course like Bible Study.. Elective is the Key word. Remember, student choose whether or not to participate. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with that..

**Edit** - Also, how about offering courses on other religions as well? If it was only a course for "Christianity" and they purposely exclude other religious studies, then I have a problem with it..

As my friend getting his masters in religious studies always says, "The more you study it the less you can possibly beleive it".

This is a democracy not a theocracy.

I can't even defend teaching the Bible in a literature class. I mean, would we teach Tolstoy if it was translated from Russian to English, then to French (with parts added and other parts taken away) then into Chinese (again adding and taking away passages) and the BACK into English? No. That's what the Bible is.

In public schools, christianity cannot be given preferred status. In private schools, they may do as they like. It does not matter that the majority of public students are in some way christian - impartiality must be maintained. It's not only the law - it's the right thing to do. In fact, that most public students are indeed devoted or lukewarm christians makes it all the more critical an objective point of view toward religion be taught. This is in no way suppression of christianity but rather promoting objective thinking toward religion and all other subjects taught in public schools.

Preferential treatment for christianity is divisive. Impartiality creates union.

Freedom of religion is critical to individual liberty, however, freedom of religion does not mean freedom to dominate. Christians, at least historically and clearly even today, believe otherwise.

Yes, many Americans are christians, but this is in no way a christian nation. It is instead a nation of free people ... sort of.

proposing studying anything in school goes against the wishes of our masters regardless of what it is.

I think religious studies in general should be taught...you have to understand where people are coming from to see through their eyes...no different than the history we don't learn either.

NO Religion has a place in public schools! Sorry we must as a nation avoid a step towards the indoctrination of our children.

and check this one out from Virginia....

HB 1207 Higher education; right of students to assert objection to requirement of academic degree program.

Introduced by: Brenda L. Pogge
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Right of students to assert conscientious objection to any requirement of an academic degree program in an institution of higher education; liability. Provides that no public or private institution of higher learning may penalize or deny academic credit to a student because he refuses to perform academic coursework because it would force him to violate a sincerely held religious belief. The bill also provides that the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia shall not recognize any accrediting agency that takes any adverse action against an institution of higher learning that exempts students from academic coursework for such reason. The Attorney General or any student, prospective student, or former student aggrieved under the bill may bring a civil action against the institution of higher learning, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, or the relevant accrediting agency for damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, and any other relief authorized by law and may be entitled to reasonable attorney fees.

Full text at link:

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=121&typ=bil&val=hb1207

"The Bible, Christianity, prayer, divinity, and preaching should stay in Sunday school and church where they belong. If people want to learn about Christianity, they’ll attend church freely." My thoughts exactly. The Reps want to make this a Theocracy. And the recent Supreme Court decision did nothing to suggest a continued secular government and school systems.

South Dakota is actually fairly normal, but their State Legislature is just flat WHACK!

They're just pandering to their Christian fundamentalist base in an election year. And when the Fed jumps them with both feet that'll turn into a case for how evil the Fed is.
So if "Sponge Bob" is the problem how is it happening? At school? Doubt that. In Sunday school? Don't know, but that's Pastor Hickey's problem and law's got nothing to do with it. At home with their Christian parents? Don't know. Perhaps Pastor Hickey would like to take the matter up with the Christian parents. Sounds to me like Pastor Hickey proposes that public education do what neither the church nor the parents are willing, or able, to do.

A true Christian will not force you to accept Christ! He or she should try to guide you to Jesus. Satan will force you to accept him. Be weary of who you believe in

Thats fine so long as they are also teaching Buddhist, hindu and muslim

Scarier and scarier.....the dumbing down of children.....let's teach them that science is bad....let's go back to the 17th century.....makes me wonder why I stay in this coutry sometimes

Try teaching Cyclicality, instead of Biblicality. The Bible is just a chronicle of social Cyclicality and experiences of Jews and early Christians. It is instructive and a significant cultural artifact plus being a current living document for the religious. But in an academic context, it is only legitimate to study it from a historical perspective and for what you might learn about recurring social imbalances and injustice and the consequences that are likely to follow. It would not be secularly legitimate to study it to use as a source of obsolete shibboleths and to discover new ways to demonize and stigmatize people you don't like. But we all know (wink wink) that the South Dakota Republicans pushing this shit are only interested in stirring up the bigotry of the weak minded to benefit their personal political ambitions. (See Sadducee and Pharisees)

These people will not give up until the government is required to bow to "Christian" laws and they pass an Amendment stating that we are a "Christian" nation. They truly are No different than the Ayatollahs.

Let's try the Muslim test and see what happens...

Would the South Dakota legislature be as "encouraging" to the teachers who choose to teach from the Quran in public schools?

Didn't think so.