Bible Study Coming to New Braunfels ISD

[wxcrazytwo]

Skywatch the problem is you're using a different subset of the english language than we are, or at least gtalum and the rest of us atheists are. We are talking about historical importance, you are talking about salvation.

Ouch!

[x-y-no]

But not approriate to teach the God had anything to do with creation? Like Mama said - one-sided.

The problem is that there's no independent scientific evidence for any particular religious creation story. So yes, it's appropriate for the government to teach science (the systematic study of nature) but not for the government to teach a particular religious belief as truth.

That's not one sided, it's fair. The government may not declare any particular religion false either.

What would be one-sided would be if we used the power of the state to favor one religion over others.

I'm not saying to teach one religion over another. I am saying that offering a Bible study class as an elective would be only fair.

I already stated far back in this thread that I have no problem with a course teaching the Bible's influence on western culture and literature (which is what it appears to me that the course in question does).

You and a couple of others appeared to be arguing something else though - that either evolution should not be taught in science class, or else the Bible creation story should be taught on an equal basis. If that is not your position, then I apologize for the misunderstanding.

[kevin]

Skywatch.

I'm not them. I offered the Hesiod which is of historical importance. I will now offer the Koran. There are hundreds of books which are of historical importance... pretty much any religious or literary document over a couple hundred years old is by default historically important. Historical importance doesn't have to do with truth even, it just has to represent historical people talking and thinking back in the day. You learn about the sociology of ancient folks that way.

This thread is moving too fast.

[feederband]

One thing is for sure we will all find out...For those that believe most of them believe they will goto heaven...It is a happy ending to life....I don't know what happens when you die... But as long as I'm living I will make the most of everyday. I will not rely on some unproven , powerless supernataural being to controll my life or my thinking.

[wxcrazytwo]

Teaching the bible is not valid because when the book was being produced, the Christian movement arbitrarily placed certain scriptures which suited their ideas, which does nothing for me on the bible. Why did they not include the "Book of Enoch" and several other scriptures that were relevant of that time?

[gtalum]

Hmm...the Bible is a valid and valuable document...yet you say (claim) it is a work of mythology!

Mythology is a great way to gain insight about ancient cultures. Fiction is just as valuable as nonfiction in learning about culture.

[feederband]

Teaching the bible is not valid because when the book was being produced, the Christian movement arbitrarily placed certain scriptures which suited their ideas, which does nothing for me on the bible. Why did they not include the "Book of Enoch" and several other scriptures that were relevant of that time?

Like you said it did not suit their ideas...

[feederband]

Glad to see that this thread has been able to keep its integrity..

[sunny]

But not appropriate to teach the God had anything to do with creation? Like Mama said - one-sided.

The problem is that there's no independent scientific evidence for any particular religious creation story. So yes, it's appropriate for the government to teach science (the systematic study of nature) but not for the government to teach a particular religious belief as truth.

That's not one sided, it's fair. The government may not declare any particular religion false either.

What would be one-sided would be if we used the power of the state to favor one religion over others.

I'm not saying to teach one religion over another. I am saying that offering a Bible study class as an elective would be only fair.

I already stated far back in this thread that I have no problem with a course teaching the Bible's influence on western culture and literature (which is what it appears to me that the course in question does).

You and a couple of others appeared to be arguing something else though - that either evolution should not be taught in science class, or else the Bible creation story should be taught on an equal basis. If that is not your position, then I apologize for the misunderstanding.

You did state your position, so my apologies to you.

IMO - this has gotten way out of hand. I have gotten extremely defensive because of the attack on something that I hold very dear and close to my heart - the Bible. I have not once said that anyone here does not have the right to believe in evolution. Only that I do no myself believe it in. I have not attacked it in the way the Bible has been attacked in this thread.

[feederband]

But not appropriate to teach the God had anything to do with creation? Like Mama said - one-sided.

The problem is that there's no independent scientific evidence for any particular religious creation story. So yes, it's appropriate for the government to teach science (the systematic study of nature) but not for the government to teach a particular religious belief as truth.

That's not one sided, it's fair. The government may not declare any particular religion false either.

What would be one-sided would be if we used the power of the state to favor one religion over others.

I'm not saying to teach one religion over another. I am saying that offering a Bible study class as an elective would be only fair.

I already stated far back in this thread that I have no problem with a course teaching the Bible's influence on western culture and literature (which is what it appears to me that the course in question does).

You and a couple of others appeared to be arguing something else though - that either evolution should not be taught in science class, or else the Bible creation story should be taught on an equal basis. If that is not your position, then I apologize for the misunderstanding.

You did state your position, so my apologies to you.

IMO - this has gotten way out of hand. I have gotten extremely defensive because of the attack on something that I hold very dear and close to my heart - the Bible. I have not once said that anyone here does not have the right to believe in evolution. Only that I do no myself believe it in. I have not attacked it in the way the Bible has been attacked in this thread.

Attacked?

[sunny]

Attacked?

Yes, attacked. Called made-up, methodology. In my opinion, yes attacked. There are some bounds that just should not be crossed, some lines that should be respected. But I guess some people just don't get that.

I'm done with this thread.

[feederband]

Attacked?

Yes, attacked. Called made-up, methodology. In my opinion, yes attacked. There are some bounds that just should not be crossed, some lines that should be respected. But I guess some people just don't get that.

I'm done with this thread.

I guess in your thinking you are right...I would be upset if someone told me because I don't believe than I'm crazy or out of mind...It is just sometimes hard for none believers like my self to understand why you think the way you do and vise versa I'm sure..

[CajunMama]

I think everybody behaved in quite a civil manner. Everyone kept their cool and seemed to think out their response before hitting the submit button. Thank you.

[feederband]

I think everybody behaved in quite a civil manner. Everyone kept their cool and seemed to think out their response before hitting the submit button. Thank you.

Agree , and it is hard because none believers defend their ideas just has hard as believers..

[CajunMama]

So for being so good in todays class each one of you gets a Happy Sun Sticker

[kevin]

Sunny, I think you are a good person, with the absolute freedom to choose whatever you want to believe. This bible condemns me to hell and forgive me if I do not hold it to the same esteem which you believe should be granted to it. There are many world views that demand things of me, but I can only choose to live my life to the least harm unto others, and to follow my questioning wherever it takes me.

I believed what you believe a matter of years ago. I do not think believers are ignorant, just mistaken. And regardless, I value people by what they act and not what scripture they hold themselves to adore.

[gtalum]

FWIW, I specifically did not come out and call the Bible a work of mythology, even though IMHO it clearly is.

I merely stated that whether or not it is mythology, it is a valuable piece of literature, and I have no problems teaching a class about it, as long as it's an elective. To be fair, I do hope that every non-Christian religious person in that school district petitions to have their own holy book covered in an elective class. Those court cases will be fun to watch.

[feederband]

There is an athiest who is walking out in the woods thinking evolution caused all of the beauty of the forest. Well along comes this 7 foot tall grizzley bear. Th e athiest turned around and saw the grizzly and screamed a bloodcurdling scream anruns up the hill. Then the grizzly starts chasing and closing in on him. Well just as the bear got ready to kill him he screamed save me God! Time stopped and a bright light shown in the sky and god said why should I save you after all these years of you teaching others I'm not real? The athiest replied, Lord it would be a hypocrocy to ask to be a christian now but could you at least make the bear christian? The Lord said O.K. Time started again and the bear took its paw away and put both together and said"Lord thank you for this food I am about to recieve Amen.

[Skywatch_NC]

There is an athiest who is walking out in the woods thinking evolution caused all of the beauty of the forest. Well along comes this 7 foot tall grizzley bear. Th e athiest turned around and saw the grizzly and screamed a bloodcurdling scream anruns up the hill. Then the grizzly starts chasing and closing in on him. Well just as the bear got ready to kill him he screamed save me God! Time stopped and a bright light shown in the sky and god said why should I save you after all these years of you teaching others I'm not real? The athiest replied, Lord it would be a hypocrocy to ask to be a christian now but could you at least make the bear christian? The Lord said O.K. Time started again and the bear took its paw away and put both together and said"Lord thank you for this food I am about to recieve Amen.

[Skywatch_NC]

FWIW, I specifically did not come out and call the Bible a work of mythology, even though IMHO it clearly is.

I merely stated that whether or not it is mythology, it is a valuable piece of literature, and I have no problems teaching a class about it, as long as it's an elective. To be fair, I do hope that every non-Christian religious person in that school district petitions to have their own holy book covered in an elective class. Those court cases will be fun to watch.

Well, you may as well be going all the way and calling it mythology then.

To me it's like saying someone is 'a little pregnant.'