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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBible classes threaten secular education in Alabama
A so-called bible literacy bill that would allow state-funded public schools to indoctrinate students as early as sixth grade with bible classes is headed to Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys desk. Just weeks after invoking God to justify signing into law a draconian abortion ban, Ivey will again decide the fate of constitutional rights for Alabamians.
The bill, SB 14, encourages Alabama public schools to offer four new religious courses: the study of the Hebrew scriptures of the Old Testament, the study of the New Testament, a course combining the two, and a course in religious history, all of which students in grades six through 12 may take as elective credits.
The Supreme Court has ruled that bible classes can be constitutional in public schools only under very specific circumstances. Legal theory is not the issue, reality is. In practice, it is virtually impossible for schools to ensure that bible classes are being taught free from endorsement of specific religious ideas, making schools susceptible to costly legal challenges.
In a state ranked 49 out of 50 for childhood education, Alabamas resources would be far better spent improving secular education that serves all students rather than opening up already strapped public schools to expensive legal liability, comments FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation stands staunchly opposed to SB 14 and to the infiltration of Christian nationalism into our secular public schools. SB 14 is part of Project Blitz, the Christian fundamentalists nationwide legislative push to inject state legislatures with a whole host of religious bills meant to advance Christian nationalism.
While politicians often claim that these laws are intended to teach the bible in the context of U.S. history, we know their true agenda is to abuse their access to young and impressionable children and indoctrinate them with religious orthodoxy. Public school bible classes have been attempted across the country and have invariably ended up unconstitutionally promoting religion.
Project Blitz and Christian nationalism repudiate the values this nation was founded on, says FFRFs Director of Strategic Response Andrew L. Seidel.
This bill and others like it are a thinly veiled attempt to convert young and impressionable students to Christianity on the taxpayers dime.
It is particularly inappropriate for the state to encourage these classes to students as young as sixth grade. Students this age are not typically mature enough for a neutral, unbiased class on comparative religions. Instead, these classes will almost certainly be conducted like a church Sunday school class, in violation of the First Amendment.
Solly Mack
(90,773 posts)I kid. I kid. Somewhat. Not really though.
I'd say the same about any state passing laws such as the ones Alabama passes.
Any state. To include the state where I was born. (Georgia)
The state I where I live. (Louisiana)
Secular education really means ACTUAL education based on facts and critical thinking.
As opposed to the malarkey of religious indoctrination being passed off as actual education.
gtar100
(4,192 posts)Their actions reveal that they know church education ( i.e., indoctrination) is wildly unpopular so it must be forced down the throats of unsuspecting participants (children). Otherwise it would quickly die a natural death.
Wounded Bear
(58,670 posts)church attendance would plummet. There's enough violence, deceit, sex, infidelity, racism, etc to satisfy a Tarantino fan.
procon
(15,805 posts)Donations are drying up. Fewer people believe in religious mysticism. Mega churches are going broke. What do do?
Use the awesome powers of the state to force religious indoctrination on impressionable young school children in a captive setting. The mighty state then build the next generation of the fleeced in exchange for a large block of votes to keep the politics in power.
Praise be!
keithbvadu2
(36,829 posts)They want gov't to teach religion to the children rather than let the parents decide which religion.
AllaN01Bear
(18,261 posts)schools should teach school stuff and church should be seperate . if churches want their own schools fine , but not with public monies .
stopdiggin
(11,317 posts)Fundies flat out don't believe in the separation of church and state. They have their own version of the founding fathers and the Constitution. (not joking)
YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)Thunderbeast
(3,417 posts)Don't all the white kids go to segregated Christian academies already?
The Taliban is strong in this state!
trev
(1,480 posts)the teacher brought in a guest speaker who had just been released from jail. I assumed he was going to talk about the judicial system. Instead, he preached for an hour about his jailhouse conversion to Christianity.
I had grown up in the Methodist church, so his speech didn't bother me in and of itself. But I did wonder what its relevance was to the subject of the class.
This stuff has been happening for a very long time.
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)Yet children are supposed to grasp biblical societies and geography.
Not even adults understand what is happening and why.
Pure bullshit!
in2herbs
(2,945 posts)"House Bill 498 requires taxpayer-funded, public universities in Alabama adopt speech policies for their campuses that will protect the First Amendment rights of their students and the free and open exchange of ideas."
I suggest that, instead of fighting against the current bill, this newly signed bill (HB 498) be challenged to extend to all grade levels and then start "indoctrinating" school children with atheism classes, spirituality classes, and classes that teach evolution, instead of creationism. Why not even include classes on puppy love?
Duppers
(28,125 posts)Trump backs push for Bible classes in schools - CBS News
Jan 28, 2019 · In an early morning tweet, the president praised lawmakers trying to allow Bible classes in public schools...
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/trump-backs-controversial-push-for-bible-classes-in-schools/&ved=2ahUKEwjv8LPi39riAhWHxFQKHYI7D7MQFjADegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw0BEYFiCycgc1uunV_aQtpR&cf=1