Christian right aims to change history lessons in Texas schools

Christian right aims to change history lessons in Texas schools

www.guardian.co.uk

The Christian right is making a fresh push to force religion onto the school curriculum in Texas with the state's education board about to consider recommendations that children be taught that there would be no United States if it had not been for God.

(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 7-23-2009 by rogerstigers]

Honestly, this ticks me off. A while ago, there was a discussion on one thread about lines in the sand that we all have. This is one of them. If they want to start blatently teaching revisionist history to support the Christian cause I will take action.

Heh, as I am writing this, my daughter is telling me about the staff at her school giving her flack for not saying the pledge of allegiance. I told her next time they give her trouble, have them talk to me.

What the hell is this country coming to...*sigh*

www.guardian.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 7-23-2009 by rogerstigers]

reply to post by rogerstigers


I'm in 100% agreement with you, on this one. Religion has NO plae in public schools.

...my daughter is telling me about the staff at her school giving her flack for not saying the pledge of allegiance.

Personal anecdote, from when I was in Grade School, and Junior High...Only part of the 'Pledge" I objected to was the "Under god" phrase, so I just remained silent there, went along with the rest.

However, not knowing your daughter, she may have other personal reasons regarding the 'Pledge', and that is darned well her right!!!

Originally posted by rogerstigers


Honestly, this ticks me off. A while ago, there was a discussion on one thread about lines in the sand that we all have. This is one of them. If they want to start blatently teaching revisionist history to support the Christian cause I will take action.

Heh, as I am writing this, my daughter is telling me about the staff at her school giving her flack for not saying the pledge of allegiance. I told her next time they give her trouble, have them talk to me.

What the hell is this country coming to...*sigh*

www.facebook.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Cough... OK, I am NOT for teaching religion in schools but the pledge of allegiance your against!

Yeah, what is this country coming to...

reply to post by rogerstigers


I have to repectfully disagree. With the state of moral decay in our schools, our culture, our social interactions, there needs to be some moral teachings that need to take place. You may be the exception to the rule but I can assure you that there are parents out there who have given up their rights as a moral authority to teach their children.
Christian, muslim, catholic, buddist, -hell- frackin' witchcraft should have some place in our school system, only because you can see the moral decay occuring right after they took religion out of schools.
Political correctness has done NOTHING absolutely NOTHING to aid in making our children better human beings. If you are an athiest, fine, I'm sure there is something out there that eschews athiest moral values.

I think it is a good thing. Any other suggestions as to what they should teach/bring in for the teaching of moral values. . . please bring them. But at this time, christian teachings sounds like a good idea to me.

00.02

edited for spelling

[edit on 23-7-2009 by mikerussellus]

reply to post by mikerussellus


I agree 100%

Schools SHOULD teach "ethics & principles" starting at Kindergarten.

Principles, Reading, Writing, and Math until 4th grade. Role model presentations, good influences, etc.


I disagree with "Religion" in schools for one reason...... Many think it is a good idea to teach "Religion" in schools but it isn't so good if that religion isn't yours.... If you are a strong christian, would you want your child attending a public school that required a headscarf.... get the idea.

[edit on 23-7-2009 by infolurker]

reply to post by infolurker


Thank you.

Have you looked at a teenager these days? Not going into specifics, but my god! they are a disrespectful lot. And that can be applied to twenty and thirty year-olds as well.
Hell, I'm just 46, but I know how to say sir/ma'am open doors for older folks, etc.
And not to get off topic, but abortions would probably decrease if we started teaching morals and values. Respect for life, any and all life.
I think one of the reasons Obama is president today is because there is no teaching of values anymore. No one knows to asks questions, no one knows to think idependantly. . . .

-I'd better get off my soapbox, my bad. . . -

That's funny that they want to have history changed to saying that without God there would be no US. How do they know? For all they know, in the great scheme of things, Satan was the one that set up America. I mean, look at all the trash we put out into the world. Isn't the porn industry the largest industry in America, or something like that?

I don't think teaching religion in public schools in a bad thing. Doing so would clear up a lot of the misconceptions that people have about people of other faiths. Where I'm from in Southwest Florida, the schools, in 10th grade world history, teach about all the world faiths [except Christianity and Judaism--that's offensive of course]. I didn't mind it at all though. I learned a lot. Here in Germany, all the students, in the public schools all take a Christianity class [Catholic or Protestant]. Except the Muslim kids who do study hall instead. No one complains, that I'm aware of anyway, over here. Many view it as beneficial because, even though Germany isn't a Christian country, Christianity is still a huge part of the culture and the people learn why some things are the way that they are.

In any event, it's dumb that these "Fundies" are trying to push this obviously false revisionist version of history. Next, they'll cry foul when there is a backlash. Oy vey.

reply to post by octotom

I don't think teaching religion in public schools in a bad thing.

For once I agree with you, and amend my earlier comment.

A rational, secular curriculum on the various religions that exist/have existed can have a proper place in Public Schools. BUT, it is a very dangerous path to tread when the 'fundies' as you said, get involved.

ALSO, even in Germany, as you pointed out, the Muslims sit out the Christian classes??? THAT is ignorance at it's finest!

[edit on 23 July 2009 by weedwhacker]

Ok, sorry.. I guess I should have elaborated a tad earlier to let you all understand where I am coming from. I have taught my kids that they should NEVER pronouced oaths to anything that they do not understand. I teach them that their word is their bond and they should never give their word, especially in a pledge, unless they 100% understand and agree with what they are pledging.

Now tell me, do you honestly think that a grade schooler can truly understand what it means to pledge your allegience to a country?

reply to post by mikerussellus


Respectfully, I disagree. I think the education my kids get from my religious beliefs and my wife's religious beliefs is much more moral and ethical than what they would get from a Christian influence.

Here are the basics:
1) Treat others the way you want to be treated
2) Your word is your bond, but your actions will always say more than your words.

That's essentially it. The rest is culture training.. i.e. how to fit in without getting arrested or beaten by crazy Texans...lol

[edit on 7-23-2009 by rogerstigers]

The problem with teaching a religion course in public schools is, who teaches it? With the variety of Christian denominations out there, you could have a conflict over how that is taught, much less the fit that most fundamentalists would throw if "Their child" were exposed to any other religion.

Teaching of religion and the like is the right and responsibility of the child's parents, and they are the only people who should be teaching their child anything in that vein.

As far as general ethics go, I took a class like that in school. A good general ethics class would be fine, but keep the religious aspects out of it.

reply to post by octotom



Here's a link to christian tenets of our founding fathers. . .


www.wallbuilders.com...

reply to post by rogerstigers


Wonderful. That's great [no sarcasm]

Unfortunately, you are the minority. I do the same with mine, but we don't account for all the parents with kids in school.

Kids FOR THE MOST PART, have no moral foundation. We as a society are raising a buch of sociopaths.

Religion teaches morality. What else does?

The only place religion belongs is in your personal life.

Not in school and certainly not in the government.

Teach ethics but keep God out of it. No prayers, no pledges and certainly no solicitation by religious groups on school grounds.

This is a FREE country. We should not have to fear it turning into a theocracy like those in the middle east.

Originally posted by mikerussellus
reply to post by rogerstigers

 

Wonderful. That's great [no sarcasm]

*smirk* thanks.. I actually do appreciate the comment. Given that I am a Pagan as is my wife (differant philosophies, though), I wish more Christians were understanding of the fact that they are not the only ones teaching ethics and morality out there. *shrug*

reply to post by rogerstigers


I reject ALL sorts of religious worship. Yet, somehow I have morals and ethics....wonder how that happens, when the (sarcasm) only way is through a 'religion'???

For all they know, in the great scheme of things, Satan was the one that set up America. I mean, look at all the trash we put out into the world.

It's like Christianity is an oxymoron in America

Noone does superficial quite like you guys, or consumerism or violence

I don't believe religion has any place in public schooling- you go to school to learn how to read and write, not to pray- that is the parents job- if they want to teach their child about all things religion they should do it at home, not expect them to get their spiritual education via schooling.

reply to post by rogerstigers


I guess we'll also have to include the lessons on Deism and also include why the Constitution is by no means biblical. All in all. It should not be done.

Personally, I think a broad understanding of all the world's religions would be a good part of any curriculum. I wouldn't want my child to be taught just one, with the idea that this was the only religion. I also think that ethics from a philosophical and atheistic standpoint should be taught.