New Idaho Bill Would Let Teachers Reference the Bible in Astronomy, Biology, and Geology Class

[KamaAina]

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/02/17/new-idaho-bill-would-let-teachers-reference-the-bible-in-astronomy-biology-and-geology-class/

For some people, it’s not enough that bibles are already allowed in public schools and kids can read it for pleasure if they want to.

Idaho legislators have now introduced Senate Bill 1321, which would allow teachers to use the Bible in the classroom whenever they think it would enhance the lesson. That’s already allowed in, say, English class, where you might discuss biblical allusions in literature and where you might want to analyze the Bible’s more poetic passages… but the bill would permit teachers to use the Bible anywhere and everywhere:

The Bible is expressly permitted to be used in Idaho public schools for reference purposes to further the study of literature, comparative religion, English and foreign languages, United States and world history, comparative government, law, philosophy, ethics, astronomy, biology, geology, world geography, archaeology, music, sociology, and other topics of study where an understanding of the Bible may be useful or relevant. No student will be required to use any religious texts for reference purposes if the student or parents of the student object.

Unless we’re pointing at the Bible and saying, “this offers nothing of use,” I have no clue why anyone would ever need to reference the Bible in Astronomy, Geology, Archaeology, or Biology class. Or any class that relies on facts and observation and reason and logic.

So basically, no kid from Idaho will ever again be accepted into college out of state. Or maybe even in-state.

[rock]

1. Excellent!

This would allow the teachers to show how unreliable the Bible is and at odds with the facts of the world!

[gratuitous]

2. Sheesh

So, are the young-uns going to be taught that the vault of the heavens is there to separate the water above the sky from the water on the earth (Gen. 1 : 6-10)? You know that's how it's going to be implemented. I suppose it could be used as a way of saying this is how humans in ancient times, before there were telescopes, used to explain their observations. Sprinkle in some folklore from some other cultures, it might make for a diverting half a class session. As far as imparting practical information, though, not so much. Of course, not every second in the classroom has to be devoted strictly to pedagogy; some of the best class times came for me when the discussion got a little free-wheeling and departed from the lesson plan.

We used to know how to handle the language of myth and legend, to get behind the text and see what the authors meant to convey, and how the authors' audience would receive the message. Now we're all reduced to the status of 6-year-olds who can't handle the nuances of allegorical language because their brains aren't developed enough.

[msongs]

3. replace all textbooks with the book of mormons. that'll show them nt

[spanone]

4. a theocracy creeps ever forward

[hatrack]

5. I can see good science teachers using the Bible, as in "That's what we used to think . . . "

That's not likely to be how this particular . . . . law gets implemented, however.

[Bucky]

6. we cover astronomy in the world history class I teach and I certainly mention the Bible

I don't exactly say, "meanwhile, Galileo had to deal with a church that believed some ridiculous bullshit cause it was in the Bible," but the kids get the general idea.

[dembotoz]

7. as we try to compete in a world where they teach real subjects

[NYC Liberal]

8. I went to Catholic schools from 4th grade through high school

I don't think I ever heard "God" or "Bible" mentioned once during any science lesson there. A couple of the teachers liked to say a prayer before class, but after that it was all science.

[NightWatcher]

9. And multiple choice tests add the option for D. Because baby Jesus says

And no kid ever fails a test again...until they get into the real world.

[hifiguy]

10. The dumbth is like creeping Charlie.

Gads how the Chinese must laff when they read shit like this.

[KamaAina]

11. They're livin' in their own private Idaho

[IDemo]

12. The sponsor of the bill is Idaho's answer to Michele Bachmann

Sheryl Nuxoll

Comparison of health-insurance exchanges with the Holocaust

Nuxoll, in an email to her supporters, compared the role of private insurers in health-insurance exchanges with "Jews boarding the trains to concentration camps."

Anti-Hindu statements

Nuxoll, alongside Republican Idaho state senators Steve Vick and Lori Den Hartog, refused to attend a session of the legislature that commenced with a Hindu invocation prayer recited by Rajan Zed. Nuxoll refused to apologize, stating her belief that Hinduism was "a false faith with false gods."

[Odin2005]

13. Ida-DOH!

[IDemo]

14. Course descriptions:

Biology - Snake handling, speaking with serpents in trees

Geology - Singing of "Rock of Ages"

Foreign languages - Speaking in tongues

World history - 6,000 years and counting

Music - Watch videos of Mormon Tabernacle Choir