The Bible in the Classroom: A Move in the Right Direction
“The Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children under a free government ought to be instructed. No truth is more evident: that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.” -Noah Webster
The progressive Left is up in arms once again-but this time, it’s about adopting a classical model curriculum in which students in public schools would be exposed to Biblical references or stories. In fact, the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) invited the public to give testimony on whether or not instructional materials being considered under the recent adoption of HB 1605 can utilize biblical references and stories in the classroom. Some argue that this provision would religiously indoctrinate students while others cite the many benefits of a classical model with Biblical influence. Amidst the noise and clashing worldviews surrounding this issue, we must ask two questions: What does the law tell us? What are the advantages or disadvantages of permitting and incentivizing these materials to be taught in the classroom?
The First Amendment says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” also known as the Establishment Clause. It is important to point out that although the forced mandate of a certain religious belief system cannot ever be imposed by our government, the approach in how schools utilize the Bible and in what context is of vital importance. For example, if the Bible is used as an objective reference in the study of ancient cultures or in learning about the history of religion throughout civilization, this approach is allowed. The Left loves nothing more than to claim that the “separation of church and state” (which is not in the Constitution) forbids any mention of the Bible in any context, but this misguided belief only reveals their confusion surrounding what is permitted under the Constitution. There is a difference between mandated Bible reading in school and utilizing the Bible as an neutral source for religion, history, or ancient cultures.
In 2008, former Texas Governor Rick Perry signed HB 1287 into law requiring all school districts in the state of Texas to offer an elective course on the Bible’s history and literature at the high school level. This new law mandated all public high schools to offer a religious and Bible studies class should there be 15 students or more who express interest. Once again, this Texas law did not force any students to participate in a religious Bible course, but affirmed and preserved the rights of Texas students to learn the Bible in a public school setting should there be an interest. Today, there are at least 14 school districts in the State of Texas offering this course.
In 1963, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 8-1 in Abington School District vs. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203(1963) that mandated reading of the Bible and devotional exercises in schools was unconstitutional. However, this ruling also made the following distinction, “It certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities. Nothing we have said here indicates that such study of the Bible or of religion, when presented objectively as a part of a secular (public school) program of education, may not be effected consistently with the First Amendment.” Id at 225. Even the highest court of our land recognizes the literary and historical value of utilizing the Bible as an educational tool in a secular school program.
The contentious debate surrounding HB 1605 is not surprising, as it would impact about 2 million K-5 students in the state of Texas. After examining some image excerpts, the following topics are a few examples of what children would be learning under this revised curriculum: remembering Queen Esther‘s bravery, the history of the Liberty Bell, Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, the Golden Rule, and Dr. Martin Luther King’s Letters from Birmingham Jail to name a few. Somehow, the possibility of teaching children about the Golden Rule- to treat others with kindness- and using the Bible as a reference has enraged the Left. Although the adoption of this new program is optional, there is a funding incentive of $40/child if state materials are used. For many school districts who lack funding, this is a very appealing prospect. [MC1]
Children could have exposure to a classical model of education that includes religious or Biblical references in a cultural or historical context, resulting in a more well-rounded student. All parents, regardless of point of view have the right under Texas law to opt-their child out of instruction “that conflicts with parents religious or moral beliefs if the parent presets or delivers to the teacher … a written statement” TEC 26.010.
The adoption of this curriculum for public school students does not violate any laws, but solidifies the First Amendment right of Texas children to learn important aspects of our nation’s history that have previously been omitted.
Written by: Vanessa Sivadge, Texas Children’s Hospital Whistleblower and Texas Values Contributor