Teaching the Bible in California Public Schools (Chino Valley district adds Bible to curriculum)

Hotair ^ | 07/06/2010 | Laura Curtis

[SeekAndFind]

It hardly seems possible that with California’s irreligious reputation, a school district would choose to add the bible to its curriculum. But the Chino Valley School District has done so.

Beginning this fall, high school seniors of the Chino Valley School District will have the chance to enroll in a new course called “Bible as/in Literature and History.”

[The class] will offer a survey of the Bible, beginning with the historical context of the Old Testament, and then will focus on the New Testament later in the semester. It will also provide students with a historical knowledge of the Middle East.

I’m certainly not opposed to students learning that yes, Israel was a nation long before 1948, and that Jews have been a part of that region for thousands of years. Perhaps that will reduce the number of people who think they should “go back” to Germany and Poland. If high school seniors learn Jewish history, then maybe Jewish students will be safer on California college campuses where Israel is routinely de-legitimized.

If it really is taught in that way, it could be a valuable addition to the curriculum. But the article leads me to believe it’s a back door effort to proselytize. Fred Youngblood, president of the Board of Education, said, “It is my belief that better understanding the Bible will help all students with their decision-making process. …The Bible has been a part of my life ever since I could remember. It has had a very positive influence on me and my family. It is my hope that our students will have a better understanding of the impact the Bible has had on all that surrounds us.”

Social cons will celebrate this development. California schools have whitewashed Islam and allowed Islamic proselytism, they’ll argue, and this doesn’t even come close to counterbalancing that. But fiscal cons will groan, and rightfully so. California already has a budget shortfall of more than $25 billion. Chino Valley School District already must cut the budget by $30 million. Now is not the time to add an inevitable, expensive, legal battle. Social cons would do better to work at getting Islam (and other religions) out of the schools rather than getting their own in.

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[Persevero]

“Social cons would do better to work at getting Islam (and other religions) out of the schools rather than getting their own in.”

The best way to get Islam out is to get Christianity in. You can’t find something with nothing.

Also, the Bible undergirds most of Western Art and Literature, and has a very important place in the study of the same. You can’t learn Western Art and Literature without a good knowledge of the Bible. Whether you are a Christian or not.

[antceecee]

Certainly cannot study Medieval Art History without a good working knowledge of the Bible.

[abigkahuna]

Of course I remember a time in California when the Bible as Literature was standard fair in High School. Always was considered an elective back then too.

[Persevero]

Pretty much any art history, absent perhaps modern art.

As for literature, it’s pervasive.

[antceecee]

I was able to do quite well in Medieval Art Hist., not so much so with Art of the 20th Century... too many paintings with red, blue, yellow squares with black outlines. The work of artists and artisans that graced churches and cathedrals was steeped in symbolism and for me was quite easy and interesting to study and understand.

[I still care]

I never really understood in history what happened after the fall of Rome and up until the Renaissance. And even then I didn’t understand a lot of what was going on in Europe in the 1600’s, other than the conflict between the Catholic and Protestant churches.

Just a couple of years ago I read “The History of the Christian Church”, which is sort of an older textbook my friends who went to Christian School had.

It was a touch dry, but for the very first time I started to understand that period of history. It was like someone put back the missing puzzle pieces.

What secular people don’t realize is when you take christianity out of history, it’s very hard to figure out why anyone did anything.

By the way, I found it online: http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/history/About.htm

[SeekAndFind]

Speaking of history, if people took the time to read the educational history of many of our 50 states and even their respective constitution, they will find that God is prominently invoked everywhere and the Bible as part of curriculums.

The Consitution of Massachusetts for instance ( still in existence which few ever read ) says this :

Text of Article I:

Whereas our wise and pious ancestors, so early as the year one thousand six hundred and thirty-six, laid the foundation of Harvard College, in which university many persons of great eminence have, by the blessing of God, been initiated in those arts and sciences, which qualified them for public employments, both in church and state: and whereas the encouragement of arts and sciences, and all good literature, tends to the honor of God, the advantage of the Christian religion, and the great benefit of this and the other United States of America -- it is declared, that the President and Fellows of Harvard College, in their corporate capacity, and their successors in that capacity, their officers and servants, shall have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy, all the powers, authorities, rights, liberties, privileges, immunities and franchises, which they now have or are entitled to have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy: and the same are hereby ratified and confirmed unto them, the said president and fellows of Harvard College, and to their successors, and to their officers and servants, respectively, forever.

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I'd like to see if such language in any public document will pass muster in today's court...