Comments on: The Bible Literacy Project is Thinly Veiled Proselytizing http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/ Because heresy is a victimless crime. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:38:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: the chaplain http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-65 the chaplain Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:45:48 +0000 http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-65 You've called this one correctly. I checked out their web site several months ago and their agenda is crystal clear. You’ve called this one correctly. I checked out their web site several months ago and their agenda is crystal clear.

]]> By: Irreligiosity http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-55 Irreligiosity Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:30:57 +0000 http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-55 Well in this case the supposedly secular teaching of the Bible really is just a mask for a bait and switch to start teaching kids about God and Jesus. Well in this case the supposedly secular teaching of the Bible really is just a mask for a bait and switch to start teaching kids about God and Jesus.

]]> By: Heathen Dan http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-54 Heathen Dan Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:37:27 +0000 http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-54 The problem with teaching the bible in secular classrooms is the real possibility of proselytizing. Even if the course is meant to study the bible as literature, can we be sure that teachers (most of whom are Christians, to some degree) will follow the syllabus. And if they do, I can bet students will throw a fit, and the parents will threaten school boards. The problem with teaching the bible in secular classrooms is the real possibility of proselytizing. Even if the course is meant to study the bible as literature, can we be sure that teachers (most of whom are Christians, to some degree) will follow the syllabus. And if they do, I can bet students will throw a fit, and the parents will threaten school boards.

]]> By: Irreligiosity http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-53 Irreligiosity Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:06:51 +0000 http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-53 I don't know. I still draw a distinction between teaching the Bible as literature and teaching it as a holy book. I suppose the "holy book" status of the Bible is always going to be the gorilla in the room that no one wants to mention, but in the case of these guys it's pretty clear from browsing their website that producing well-rounded citizens isn't their main intent. I do agree that everyone who is interested in literature, history, or religion should have at least a passing familiarity with the book. I've read through several versions myself. It was actually a Bible that was annotated by a creationist theologist that eventually made me throw my arms up in frustration at the whole thing. I don’t know. I still draw a distinction between teaching the Bible as literature and teaching it as a holy book. I suppose the “holy book” status of the Bible is always going to be the gorilla in the room that no one wants to mention, but in the case of these guys it’s pretty clear from browsing their website that producing well-rounded citizens isn’t their main intent.

I do agree that everyone who is interested in literature, history, or religion should have at least a passing familiarity with the book. I’ve read through several versions myself. It was actually a Bible that was annotated by a creationist theologist that eventually made me throw my arms up in frustration at the whole thing.

]]> By: Z. Manson http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-52 Z. Manson Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:30:20 +0000 http://www.irreligiosity.com/2008/04/03/the-bible-literacy-project-is-thinly-veiled-proselytizing/#comment-52 I dunno, it seems like the Bible Literacy Project is damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they said it was just a piece of literature, so teach it in the schools, many freethinkers would protest that OF COURSE it is not just a piece of literature, it is your holy book. When they do say it is a holy book to many people, which it is, then you come down on them for that. There are lots of courses that teach about holy books and the kids aren't converted. As you point out, sometimes the kids leave their faith by studying the Bible. So I'm not sure this is such a big deal. Even freethinkers need to have some basic knowledge of the Bible to understand what everyone around us is saying. I dunno, it seems like the Bible Literacy Project is damned if they do and damned if they don’t. If they said it was just a piece of literature, so teach it in the schools, many freethinkers would protest that OF COURSE it is not just a piece of literature, it is your holy book. When they do say it is a holy book to many people, which it is, then you come down on them for that. There are lots of courses that teach about holy books and the kids aren’t converted. As you point out, sometimes the kids leave their faith by studying the Bible. So I’m not sure this is such a big deal. Even freethinkers need to have some basic knowledge of the Bible to understand what everyone around us is saying.

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