The editor:

A bill (SB-142) currently before the legislature is the latest attempt by the religious far right to infuse religion into the public schools. Modeled on similar Texas legislation (the folks who brought you the “No Child Left Behind” and “Abstinence Only” farces) it allows for the teaching of the Christian bible (and ONLY the Christian bible) in our public schools.

To get around the inconvenience of violating the U.S. Constitution and its basic tenet of separation of church and state, the bible is being couched as a 1. “historically significant” document; 2. “great work of literature”; and 3. “perpetual best-seller.” The argument is also made that this bible course will be an elective (no one will be forced to take it).

You may remember these were largely the same arguments used as an end-run around the Constitution to have the Ten Commandments posted on courthouse walls. Funny how sacrosanct the Constitution is until it gets in the way of one’s religious zealousness.

Examining the arguments: If we are to teach documents which are historically significant, than perhaps we should be teaching “Mein Kampf’ and “The Communist Manifesto” since those two works had as much, if not more, historical significance (albeit negative) on the 20th century as any other document. The truth be told, there are hundreds of historically significant documents which might be selected for examination (non of which violate the U.S. Constitution). The second argument can be addressed by examining the number of colleges and universities (other than church affiliated) which use the bible in their literature classes as an example of great literature. A deeply meaningful document for Christians it may be, but its literary worth is very much open to question. The third argument also fails. If popularity is to be used as a criteria for works to be read and analyzed in our schools then why not simply teach the New York Times Best Sellers? They, after all, represent the most popular books being read in America. As we all well know, being popular does not automatically give a work literary value. As to the course being elective, do you want your tax dollars spent to provide religious instruction (and deny it all you want that is what it will be) for ANY students? You want religious instruction for your kids, send them to a parochial school or to Sunday school.

The more insidious side of this is that this bible course is only the “next step.” The Ten Commandments posting was the first foot in the door. Bible course instruction is the second step. After that we will no doubt have the school day start with prayer and before long ministers will be asked to conduct convocations and field trips will consist of a day at the Creationist Museum (and if you think this isn’t just the first step on the slippery slope, how do you feel about that first piece of gun control legislation?)

Why is infusing religion back into our schools such a bad thing? History lesson coming up. A quick look at world and American history will reveal that the last time religion was allowed to infuse itself into government, education and to rule our daily lives it was called the Dark Ages. Remember those fun times called the Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials?

A look at the history of American education will reveal that when early schools were little more than institutions for bible and religious indoctrination our country stagnated as a backward colonial agrarian society. It was largely when secular courses displaced religious indoctrination that American education began to play a vital role in America becoming a successful world innovator, embracing the industrial revolution and blooming as a great world power and leader. Without the secular revolution in our schools it is highly probable that America would have stayed a backward little isolated colony.

If the religious right feels religion should play a larger role in society and that our children should be better indoctrinated with religious teachings, then demand more of parents and your churches (after all that’s what they are there for).

Want our schools to assist with moral instruction? Fine. We can teach courses in SECULAR ethics (the churches have no monopoly on morals). Want kids to know more about religion? Okay, we can devise courses in Comparative World Religions in which the history and basic tenets of ALL major world religions are taught. Since education is supposed to promote enlightenment, not indoctrination, let’s let kids get a look at ALL the religions of the world with equal time and emphasis given to each.

That’s fair. That’s not indoctrination. That’s not trying to weasel our way around the Constitution and it’s not misrepresenting our motives. For when our state senators say their intent is to teach the bible in a secular manner and then holler “Amen” and “we should be preaching instead of teaching,” they give away their true intent. Maybe they should pay more attention to those Ten Commandants they want to see posted everywhere. Doesn’t one of those commandments say something about not bearing false witness?

Stephen and Barbara Young
Clearfield