Saturday, February 4, 2012

Who's Really Behind the Bible Elective Push in Arizona?

Who is really behind Arizona State Representative Terri Proud’s (R-LD 26) push to allow public and “charter” schools in Arizona to offer as an elective a course titled, “The Bible and its Influence on Western Culture”?  Are the people requesting this bill really public school educators too scared to even mention the bible in their classes or is it an organization with different intentions, such as maybe CAP (Center for Arizona Policy) or ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council)?

The reason I ask is that while going through national news, I came across this story out of New Hampshire:

"The Holy Bible is the bedrock of Western civilization. Love it or hate it, it's in every aspect of humanity," said sponsor Rep. Jerry Bergevin of Manchester.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

"A lot of it has to do with debunking a lot of ignorance that our districts are trying to force upon the teachers," she said. "There are people out there who hate the Bible and everything about it. That's fine, but don't deprive our children of biblical literature because of your personal feelings."

So, my question is:  Representative Proud, who really requested this bill and what are their real motives?

I think we have a right to know.

7 comments:

  1. Holy rollers aren't that bright or else they wouldn't be holy hollers.

    If there was a god there would be no religion

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  2. I don't have an issue with a high school offering an elective on religion in general and its affect on Western civilization, but I do have an issue with a class solely based on the Bible. We can't deny that Western civilization has been affected by all of the world's religions, but I have a feeling that a class that focuses on the Christian bible will whitewash all of the bad affects, which a numerous.

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  3. Teaching the Bible as history, or as literature, or its role in art and culture, is permitted under the First Amendment, and has been clearly authorized in directives issued by administrations of presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama.

    "Teaching about religion: Public schools may not provide religious instruction, but they may teach about religion, including the Bible or other scripture: the history of religion, comparative religion, the Bible (or other scripture)-as-literature, and the role of religion in the history of the United States and other countries all are permissible public school subjects. Similarly, it is permissible to consider religious influences on art, music, literature, and social studies."

    This is a non-controversial clearly legal thing to do. So why pass an unneeded law in Arizona authorizing something that is already authorized? Clearly there is another, undisclosed agenda.

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    Replies
    1. This is Arizona. It is kind of like Texas, but in so many ways, worse. This "elective" could easily become a requirement, just legislators in Arizona want to make the teaching of the "free markets" a requirement.

      And even if it were to remain an elective, how many kids in rural schools would face ostracism by choosing not to take the class?

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  4. I wish people would understand some of us are as constitutionally unable to believe what they believe, as they are constitutionally unable NOT to believe. These are beliefs, after all, not facts.

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  5. Its really creepy that they equate western civilization with humanity. So to them everyone else is less than human. That explains Arpaio and Brewers actions reasoning.

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  6. The separation of church and state was meant to protect an individual's right to believe, or not, according to the dictates of their conscience. It has done so admirably since the beginning. It's terrifying how comfortable these people are on the slippery slope. But foresight was never a big part of conservative ideology.

    In Alabama, a constituent asked State Senator Shadrack McGill about his retirement. McGill's response was, "Well you know what, I think we're going to be raptured out of here before it comes that time for you anyway." These sort of dismissive comments are common among those who believe that they alone are righteous, and the rest of us are heathens who have to be forced into doing what's right.

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