Bible Study Coming to New Braunfels ISD

[southerngale]

Awesome! If they're gonna teach evolution, they should teach the Bible as well. Unfortunately, it's only an elective, but better than nothing. Go New Braunfels ISD! You're more than just about Schlitterbahn!

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.as ... 48F9EECDBC

Bible Study Coming to New Braunfels ISD

LAST UPDATE: 1/17/2006 8:21:44 AM
Posted By: Maritza Nunez

One public school district voted Monday night to begin offering a new bible class as part of its curriculum.

The elective course is called "The Bible and its Influence." Board members voted six to one to approve the new class.

"The Bible is a fundamental document," says Rosalyn Bratcher with the New Braunfels ISD. "It has had a great influence in terms of politics, art, music, literature."

The district says this course does not violate the First Amendment.

"What makes it compliant is that we are teaching the Bible as a textbook and a document," adds Bratcher.

Northeast ISD already offers a bible course at two of its high schools, also as an elective.

New Braunfels ISD surveyed their students and about half of the students say they are interested in taking the course.

Parents we spoke to about the issue are split on the idea.

"If you're going to have to pass this class or take this class as part of a grade or any kind of credit towards your high school diploma, I'm totally against it," says Christy Oliphant.

Keith says, "I think we need to learn more about our creator."

Now that the class has been approved by the New Braunfels school board, it will be offered to Juniors and Seniors in the fall.

[wxcrazytwo]

an obvious violation of the amendment between separation of church and state

[fwbbreeze]

an obvious violation of the amendment between separation of church and state

I think that forcing evolution down kids throats is just as much of a violation of my 1st amendment rights. Both evolution and religion should be taught as electives in the schools.

fwbbreeze

[wxcrazytwo]

an obvious violation of the amendment between separation of church and state

I think that forcing evolution down kids throats is just as much of a violation of my 1st amendment rights. Both evolution and religion should be taught as electives in the schools.

fwbbreeze

HUH!! How is evolution even remotely violation of your first amendment rights and what does it have to do with the church. Eaxctly nothing. Private I can schools I can see, but not in the in the public sector.

[fwbbreeze]

an obvious violation of the amendment between separation of church and state

I think that forcing evolution down kids throats is just as much of a violation of my 1st amendment rights. Both evolution and religion should be taught as electives in the schools.

fwbbreeze

HUH!! How is evolution even remotely violation of your first amendment rights and what does it have to do with the church. Eaxctly nothing. Private I can schools I can see, but not in the in the public sector.

Why are public schools allowed to teach about evolution and not religion? I dont want my kids being taught evolution in public schools. I feel religion is as relevant as evolution and day of the week. If you are going to teach one.....teach the other. Let the parents and kids have a choice which one they want to learn.

fwbbreeze

[Skywatch_NC]

And this is exactly why I mentioned to Kelly via PM that she should have a sidenote on her topic saying please refrain from political or religious debate discussion.

Eric

[fwbbreeze]

And this is exactly why I mentioned to Kelly via PM that she should have a sidenote on her topic saying please refrain from political or religious debate discussion.

Eric

well then why start the topic at all?? We are not attacking one another just explaining our different viewpoints.

fwbbreeze

[wxcrazytwo]

And this is exactly why I mentioned to Kelly via PM that she should have a sidenote on her topic saying please refrain from political or religious debate discussion.

Eric

Eric, they (moderators) excluded politics not religious debates.

[wxcrazytwo]

an obvious violation of the amendment between separation of church and state

I think that forcing evolution down kids throats is just as much of a violation of my 1st amendment rights. Both evolution and religion should be taught as electives in the schools.

fwbbreeze

HUH!! How is evolution even remotely violation of your first amendment rights and what does it have to do with the church. Eaxctly nothing. Private I can schools I can see, but not in the in the public sector.

Why are public schools allowed to teach about evolution and not religion? I dont want my kids being taught evolution in public schools. I feel religion is as relevant as evolution and day of the week. If you are going to teach one.....teach the other. Let the parents and kids have a choice which one they want to learn.

fwbbreeze

THINK ABOUT IT JUST FOR ONE SECOND. REMEMBER THIS AIN'T THE "BACKWOODS".

[kevin]

This is good. The bible is a very important historical and literary document which should be read and understood by all intelligent westerners. It forms the foundation for one aspect of our civilization.

As for comparing the bible vs evolution, evolution is an established scientific theory. Which means that it is testable, verifiable, and in line with all evidence gathered so far. Should evolution prove itself unworkable, then the method chosen will be to reexamine the data, not to go back to the days of literal interpretation of genesis. Science and religion are mutually exclusive and deal with different concepts, that cannot be mixed. Religion is faith and value based. Science is based upon the best possible working theory, and is more a method than any established cannon.

They can teach anything they want in schools as long as it has value. So long as they do not state the bible as dogma (that is, all scripture is inspired by god, because god says it and that ends it... which is alright for individuals but not for instruction) I am completely open to it.

I've read the bible several times all the way through and find many parts interesting in and of themselves. I see no reason why students should not be given every possible opportunity to examine a source by reason and critical analysis. Indoctrination would be unacceptable.

[southerngale]

And this is exactly why I mentioned to Kelly via PM that she should have a sidenote on her topic saying please refrain from political or religious debate discussion.

Eric

It's not a political debate. If everyone remains civil, it will be fine. We all know the limitations - don't exceed them.

[wxcrazytwo]

This is good. The bible is a very important historical and literary document which should be read and understood by all intelligent westerners. It forms the foundation for one aspect of our civilization.

As for comparing the bible vs evolution, evolution is an established scientific theory. Which means that it is testable, verifiable, and in line with all evidence gathered so far. Should evolution prove itself unworkable, then the method chosen will be to reexamine the data, not to go back to the days of literal interpretation of genesis. Science and religion are mutually exclusive and deal with different concepts, that cannot be mixed. Religion is faith and value based. Science is based upon the best possible working theory, and is more a method than any established cannon.

They can teach anything they want in schools as long as it has value. So long as they do not state the bible as dogma (that is, all scripture is inspired by god, because god says it and that ends it... which is alright for individuals but not for instruction) I am completely open to it.

I've read the bible several times all the way through and find many parts interesting in and of themselves. I see no reason why students should not be given every possible opportunity to examine a source by reason and critical analysis. Indoctrination would be unacceptable.

What the heck do you mean by intelligent westerners? The bible is merely a telling of stories from people of that era. Little by little facts are being found that make the bible not true. Just recently they found pottery where the jews held camp, and according to the bible all jews fled this area because of the romans, but they found pottery and the like to suggest no jew fled this area.

[southerngale]

Facts are not being found that prove the Bible not true. lol
Actually, I occasionally read about something new that verifies it, although I don't need verification. It's nice to hear about though, for those people who still doubt.

[fwbbreeze]

What the heck do you mean by intelligent westerners? The bible is merely a telling of stories from people of that era. Little by little facts are being found that make the bible not true. Just recently they found pottery where the jews held camp, and according to the bible all jews fled this area because of the romans, but they found pottery and the like to suggest no jew fled this area.

Crazy if you do not believe in the bible that is fine you may choose to believe in evolution. I am not discounting evolution entirely either I just feel both have a place in our education system. My faith allows me to believe in Christ and thus I have as much right to learn about it as you do evolution.

fwbbreeze

[sunny]

What the heck do you mean by intelligent westerners? The bible is merely a telling of stories from people of that era. Little by little facts are being found that make the bible not true. Just recently they found pottery where the jews held camp, and according to the bible all jews fled this area because of the romans, but they found pottery and the like to suggest no jew fled this area.

What are you saying here crazy? The bible is just made up? Are you saying that the things that happened to our Lord are just made up?

[VanceWxMan]

Wow what a subject to talk about.
1. separation of church and state has been misinterpreted over the years. This was based on that the Church doesn't control the way that the government is run. Ergo the Catholic church running things back in the day.

2. peeps can believe what they wish.. it is your choice. I for one think evolution is a JOKE. Come on now. yes it is survival of the fittest but we came from pond scum? Nope you lost me there. Again it all comes back to what one believes in. The big BANG theory or Creation? I for one believe that God created the heavens and the Earth (Gen 1)

3. As for stating that the Bible has been proven wrong is a farce. Matter of fact there are several peeps finding artifacts that PROVE the Bible.
As for your pottery theory? Jews were there but maybe they left their stuff when they left the area? There are so many UN-ANSWERED questions. So to say your wrong and I am right is a bit overstepping, again it is all in what peeps believe

4. I for one believe that God is real. The bible is true and was God breathed (inspired) through man.

Again it is all in what you believe. I know what I believe how about you?

[x-y-no]

an obvious violation of the amendment between separation of church and state

As I understood it, this is an elective course about the influence of the Bible in western culture and literature. That's not only not a violation of church/state separation, it's a valuable contribution to education.

When I was in 7th grade in public school down here in Miami, I took a comparative religion course elective which was tremendously educational. This is on a par with that, IMHO.

----

As for the counterclaim that teaching evolution violates the first amendment - that's simply wrong. The theory of evolution is science, pure and simple. You can't make sense of modern biology without it.

[kevin]

Crazy. I said that every intelligent westerner should read the bible. It is a foundation of the west. If you would like to debate this with me my email address is snakebyte@muchomail.com because I doubt we could continue the debate here.

Also for a starting point for this you are simply wrong about the romans crushing the jews being in the bible. There is no instance of it.

[wxcrazytwo]

What the heck do you mean by intelligent westerners? The bible is merely a telling of stories from people of that era. Little by little facts are being found that make the bible not true. Just recently they found pottery where the jews held camp, and according to the bible all jews fled this area because of the romans, but they found pottery and the like to suggest no jew fled this area.

What are you saying here crazy? The bible is just made up? Are you saying that the things that happened to our Lord are just made up?

Look, the miracles that Jesus performed can be assumed to be done as miracles, but there is evidence that many of the miracles he performed were not miracles at all. I am attending a Christian School (Business Program), that I agree with and disagree with. I just look at the bible with a different text than than you do.

[wxcrazytwo]

Crazy. I said that every intelligent westerner should read the bible. It is a foundation of the west. If you would like to debate this with me my email address is snakebyte@muchomail.com because I doubt we could continue the debate here.

Also for a starting point for this you are simply wrong about the romans crushing the jews being in the bible. There is no instance of it.

Kevin, I would love to debate you on this issue. I will email you. But there is instances that the Romans did this. I will show you.