Bible Literacy Project News
Decatur Daily:
New textbook could broker peace in public school Bible wars
By Charles C. Haynes
First Amendment Center
Sunday, October 2, 2005
New high school textbooks don't ordinarily
make headlines. But "The Bible and Its Influence" is no ordinary
textbook. Published by the Bible Literacy Project, it's the
first attempt in years to get the Bible back into the public
school curriculum — without a fight. When the book was unveiled
last week, the news media took note.
Is this a false promise or a breakthrough? According to the more
than 40 scholars, teachers and theologians who reviewed drafts
of the textbook, it's the real thing. The list includes people
representing secular, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and
Eastern Orthodox perspectives. All agree the book is an
academically sound presentation of the narratives, themes, and
characters of the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament. And all
agree that the textbook accurately covers how the Bible has been
used in art, literature, music and history, exposing students to
a wide range of topics from "Handel's Messiah" to "Abraham
Lincoln and the Bible."
But can any textbook, however scholarly and well-done, end the
conflict over the Bible that has plagued public education for
more than 160 years? It won't be easy. Unfortunately, plenty of
people on both sides still push failed approaches to the Bible
in the classroom.
Imposing one religious view of the Bible in schools is both
unjust and unconstitutional — but it's still being done in some
school districts. This approach appeals to folks who want to
return to the "good old days" when we all got along because the
Protestant Bible was taught in the schools. What they forget (or
choose to ignore) are the Bible wars that broke out between
Protestants and Catholics in the 19th century over whose version
of the Bible would be read each morning. So much for the good
old days.
Keeping the Bible out of public education hasn't worked, either
— but that's what still happens in many schools and much of the
curriculum. True, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down
state-sponsored devotional Bible reading as unconstitutional in
Abington School Dist. vs. Schempp in 1963. But the court never
intended to banish the Bible from public schools. In fact, the
justices repeatedly made clear that teaching about the Bible (as
distinct from religious indoctrination) is fully constitutional
as long as it's done right. But many schools continue to ignore
the Bible as much as possible in a misguided effort to avoid
controversy and conflict.
If any textbook can overcome this bitter history and provide an
alternative to both the imposers and removers, "The Bible and
Its Influence" may be it. Why? Because it's written to conform
to the constitutional and educational standards laid out in "The
Bible and Public Schools," a consensus guide published six years
ago by the First Amendment Center and the Bible Literacy Project
and endorsed by a wide range of groups — from the National
Association of Evangelicals to People for the American Way
Foundation. In a concerted effort to meet these standards, the
editors left little to chance. Scholars from across the
religious spectrum reviewed draft after draft.
The result is the first textbook of its kind in American
history. At long last, here is an answer for beleaguered school
districts that want to offer a Bible course, but don't want to
get sued. Until the release of this book (along with the promise
of a university-based, online teacher-training program), there
wasn't any Bible textbook or curriculum guide that I would
recommend for use in a public school. Now there is.
Whether or not it's a good idea to offer a Bible elective and
just how much students need to learn about the Bible in
literature and history are issues for school boards and
educators to decide. But any public school that contemplates a
Bible course must keep the First Amendment in mind. That means
looking for student textbooks and materials that are scholarly,
age-appropriate and objective. This new text is a good place to
start.
©2005 The Decatur Daily
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