Texas public schools required to teach Bible this year.

[Vizth Hal]

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http://www.kltv.com/global/story.asp?s=10933571

By Sara Story
Posted by Michael Hetrick

WHITEHOUSE, TX (KLTV) - The school year is almost here, and if literature of the Bible is not already offered in your child's school, it will be this fall.

Books are a common sight in classrooms around the nation, but the Bible is one book that is not. Come this fall, a Texas law says all public schools must offer information relating to the Bible in their curriculum.

"By the end of the year, what they begin to realize is that it is pervasive. You can't get away from it. The kids came back and were like 'It's everywhere,'" said John Keeling, the social studies chair at Whitehouse High School. Whitehouse already offers a Bible elective. "The purpose of a course like this isn't even really to get kids to believe it per say. It is just to appreciate the profound impact that it has had on our history and on our government," said Keeling.

The law actually passed in 2007, but this will be the first school year it is enforced because the bill says, "The provisions of this act pertaining to a school district do not take effect until the 2009-2010 school year."

This has gained mixed reactions from East Texans. "I think it is a good thing because a lot of kids don't have that experience, and they already want to take prayer out of school as it is-- and you see where our kids are ending up!" said Tyler resident Laura Tucker.

Tyler resident Havis Tatum disagress with Tucker. He said, "I don't want anybody teaching their religious beliefs to my child unless they want to send their child to my house and let me teach them my religious views. There is no difference."

School officials tell us schools haven't enforced this law because of confusion over the bill's wording and lack of state funding.

For now, each school district must find a way to fill the requirement before the seats are filled with students.

We would like to know what you think about this story. Click here to leave your comments and read the contents of Texas House Bill 1287.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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You know I actually do not have a problem with this if they teach the lessons of the bible as they say without proselytizing.

When I was in school, we WERE allowed to ask about the different religions and our teachers were very accommodating. They would explain the differences between them and how and what each one believed in.

Never once did anyone inflict THEIR religious belief on us and never did we feel forced to pray. There was moments of silences held for kids who died and I don't care what you say, those moments of silence are usually meant to be prayer. Were we supposed to be wiping out minds out of all thought? Impossible.

Our country was founded on Judeo/Christian beliefs and our Declaration of Independence says:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

It's the word their that makes it all universal and non denominational and open to anyone who has religion or NOT.

Our constitution says no one can RULE by faith - this is pretty simple. You cannot make a legal decision based on religious beliefs.

It's only a problem if they are preaching and not teaching. Theology can be a very interesting subject.

[Vizth Hal]

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You know I actually do not have a problem with this if they teach the lessons of the bible as they say without proselytizing.

When I was in school, we WERE allowed to ask about the different religions and our teachers were very accommodating. They would explain the differences between them and how and what each one believed in.

Never once did anyone inflict THEIR religious belief on us and never did we feel forced to pray. There was moments of silences held for kids who died and I don't care what you say, those moments of silence are usually meant to be prayer. Were we supposed to be wiping out minds out of all thought? Impossible.

Our country was founded on Judeo/Christian beliefs and our Declaration of Independence says:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

It's the word their that makes it all universal and non denominational and open to anyone who has religion or NOT.

Our constitution says no one can RULE by faith - this is pretty simple. You cannot make a legal decision based on religious beliefs.

It's only a problem if they are preaching and not teaching. Theology can be a very interesting subject.

Unfortunately i don't think their going to stop at just teaching about it.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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I think they will. Teachers would have to go through more schooling in theology to teach religion properly.

Besides the fact it's an elective subject. Any controversial classes are always in need of the parents permission.

If it goes insane, there will be plenty of upset parents who will have the ruling repealed.

[LKTraz]

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I'm FAR from a religious person but I'd like to see that concept expanded. I had a class in school which was called world theologies. We looked at the aspects of many of the world's recognized religions and compared them to each other. I found it fascinating and there was never any push to lean toward any of the belief systems nor was any judgment passed as to "this one is right and that one is wrong".

As long as it doesn't become "church junior" I see no problem with educating the kids about the Christian bible.