@Adirondackwannabe @reijinni @gorillapaws Hopefully not all religious questions have to unravel into general craziness. I think if the bible were being studied as a religious text, then studying the Koran (and/or other religious texts) would be helpful in offering a more balanced view. But do you think the bible could be studied strictly from a literary/cultural approach?
@dxs How so? Quotes for sarcasm? Is reading the bible objectively not a possibility?
@Dutchess_III From a literary perspective, yes. From a cultural standpoint, I’d have to disagree.
@Mimishu1995 But that’s exactly why I think the bible should be read in America. The bible does play an important role in our culture—regardless of our own religious beliefs. Also, isn’t there a large portion of Vietnam that’s Catholic? I’d imagine it’s relevant there as well. Perhaps not as contentious though. Also, if we taught students based solely on what they are most (initially) interested in, the curriculum would probably include such literary gems like Twilight. :P
@zenvelo As a historical relic and cultural text.
@elbanditoroso @ibstubro @stanleybmanly I agree. Though I also think if a teacher wants to push their religious agenda (whether or not it’s legal to do so), they’re going to do it regardless of the material they’re teaching. In fact, I’d imagine any teacher teaching the bible would be under a greater deal of scrutiny than if they were teaching general ed.
@kimchi Impossible to read the bible pushing the religious agenda? Or disrespectful to?
@JLeslie So you believe the bible should only be studied in a religious context?
@Pied_Pfeffer Because, regardless of our religious views, the bible is culturally relevant.
@Jaxk I have to agree with @JLeslie Don’t think the Koran would have an easier reception.
@Pandora I absolutely agree. But can this be replicated at a high school level? Why or why not?
@kritiper The cultural merit of studying the bible goes beyond whether or not you believe in some kind of divine being. In particular, a discussion of how a literary text can create so many divisive (and dismissive) views would also be beneficial.
@Earthbound_Misfit Yes, that’s a great example of what I was going for.
@whitenoise In that particular example, it seems like the school was trying to expose them to different religions. That has its own merits and challenges separate from what I’m proposing.
@Apparently_Im_The_Grumpy_One I think your response caught me the most off guard. I hadn’t considered that. Hmmm…do you think the bible should only be studied in an appropriate (read: religious context)? Do you think there is value to the bible beyond religion?
@ragingloli @elbanditoroso I agree. Mein Kamf should be read—especially in Germany. It has historical and cultural significance beyond its original intent.
@Dutchess_III I agree with @zenvelo, it’s not a textbook. Its cultural value is not dependent on its historical or scientific inaccuracies. And I wouldn’t use the NY Times bestseller list as any kind of barometer of literary value.
@Espiritus_Corvus True. But that would create way cons than pros.
@chyna There seems to be an infinite approaches to the bible from a theist perspective. But I think it can be done more objectively without the religious aspect of it. What do you think?
@elbanditoroso Agreed. Controversy shouldn’t be a criteria for omission.
@JustPlainBarb I disagree. I think the bible is important regardless of whether you’re a Christian or not. Just important for different reasons.
@JLeslie Yes, I’m in America where nearly 70% believe in the bible. (I don’t know if there was a particular Christian designation to this statistic.) That’s exactly why I think the bible is culturally relevant. I don’t think studying other religions would be relevant to the point I’m trying to make. I’m not advocating teaching about religion. I would advocate for reading from different versions of the bible though. But it wouldn’t be to give equal representation to Catholics and Protestants, etc. It would be about taking a multi-approach to understanding a significant cultural text.
@LickA4Skin I wouldn’t want anyone pushing their religion on me either. But I’m not advocating that religion should be taught in school. I’m advocating for the bible to be studied as a significant text—without the religious agenda. Do you believe they are one and the same? Why or why not?
@LostInParadise Not sure. That would warrant more pondering and a separate question. :)
@cazzie I absolutely agree! Seems fitting that you’re the last response before I replied because you basically summed it up for me.