Paying for Sunday School
Paying for Sunday School
Sunday school is coming to a Texas public high school near you.
A school board in Odessa, TX, recently voted to add Bible study to the 2006 public high school curriculum. The council said it was an acceptable, secular history class, worthy of taxpayer dollars. So, what is our children learning? The texbooks:
– Teach creationism over evolution
– Give credence to dubious assertions that the Constitution is based on the Scriptures.
– Repeat the urban legend that NASA findings show that “the earth stopped twice in its orbit, in support of the literal truth of the biblical text that the sun stood still in Joshua and II Kings.”
– And “throughout most of the last 2,000 years, the majority of men living in the Western world have accepted the statements of the Scriptures as genuine.” (These words, by the way, are directly from the radical, evangelical Grant R. Jeffrey Ministries’ Prophecy on Line. )
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Let the wars begin. Ask John Roberts his ideas on this crap.
August 1st, 2005 at 11:17 amI really don’t mind covering ALL religions in a Comparative Religions class or Sociology class but to cover strictly on group seens against the separation of Church and State.
Here we have the American Taliban. They refuse to accept that as they think that the Taliban all wear funny head gear, robes and live in far off places. They should realize they are the very same thing in the christian version. v1.01-c vs. v1.00-m.
August 1st, 2005 at 11:36 amThis is a bible study class. What do you exspect them to teach? Astrophysics?
August 1st, 2005 at 11:36 amWell, sure, there’s no problem here, ’cause after all, it’s separation of church and state, not church and school. And after all, isn’t the bible a really good book, and don’t we study really good books in literature class?
And anyway, how can it be bad for you, it’s the bible, and only good, sincere, wise men study the bible, men like the Pope, and Paul Weyrich, and Mr. Bush (yeah, I;m sure he studies the bible, I think between clearing brush and nominating guys), and that Spanish guy, you know, the Cardinal who had such a good time during that Inquisition thing, and Pat Robertson (he’s such a nice man, and so sincere), and that fella that fell on such hard times, what was his name…Bakker, yeah, Jim and his wife Tammy, they were such compassionate people. And I know there’s lots more. So what harm could there be?
This is a good idea.
Right?
August 1st, 2005 at 11:49 amWhat is your problem with this class? As long as it is not a requirement for graduation, why do you care?
August 1st, 2005 at 11:51 amNot to complain but, I could use a bit of funding myself. Pocket change just doesn’t cut it anymore, and everyone with the damn security systems and bars on the windows….. sheeeeesh.
August 1st, 2005 at 11:58 amSure. What’s the problem? You wouldn’t have a problem with a class being offered at your school where the children were learning the teachings of the Quran, would you? Of course you will say no, because you know it won’t happen here.
If it did happen, however, you would be livid.
August 1st, 2005 at 11:59 amYes, yes, yes….again most people in the USA think…..God is an American..if it matters at all, they are worse for thinking that, I fear it is a terminal case of Hubris. Thank you doctors.
August 1st, 2005 at 12:09 pmAh, Texas. Didn’t they insist funding NOT be spend on sex education, saying that should only be taught in the home by parents? Does anyone else see this double standard?
August 1st, 2005 at 12:15 pmSo the earth stopped in its orbit? Twice!? Cooool!
August 1st, 2005 at 12:18 pmDo they have talking snakes in Texas? I mean besides Crawford.
August 1st, 2005 at 12:21 pmO God, forasmuch as without Thee
We are not able to doubt Thee,
Lord, give us the grace
To convince the whole race
We know nothing whatever about Thee.
But that ignorance does not keep the Mammonites from asking and accepting money, money, and more money from rich and poor alike in the name of righteous recitification of sinners. These charlatans impose salvation on people they would not talk to. Let’s get their recent tax returns and financial connections in front of the bloggers. Let’s spread the good word about these bloated con men and women. I’d be grateful for some help in gathering such data.
August 1st, 2005 at 12:42 pmNot only is God American, but he’s a white repubican also. That’s why he’s on our side. 7, 8, &9, your answers are right on the mark!
August 1st, 2005 at 12:43 pmI think its fine if they want to place this type of class in schools. they can make it a private school and charge accordingly.
the back door attacks on seperation of church and state need to end. I am a church going christian, but I don’t believe it should be taught in public schools.
August 1st, 2005 at 12:46 pmYour conservative leaders manual (GOP sites) in their own words. Read carefully, you do not want to miss the understanding they are are trying to communicate. They don’t care:
http://www.originaldissent.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15483
“The Integration of Theory and Practice:
A Program for the New Traditionalist Movement”
by Eric Heubeck
Introduction
The Problem–An Overreliance on Political Activism
————–
and here:
http://www.acton.org/publicat/randl/article.php?id=219
January and February • 1997 A Publication of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty Volume 7, Number 1
Religion & Liberty
Three New Testament Roots of Economic Liberty By Howard Ahmanson
August 1st, 2005 at 12:47 pmI’m starting to long for the ’50s. At least in those days we got the real thing and not this Bizarro version of Christianity.
August 1st, 2005 at 12:54 pmI hope they can come up with some numbers on Judeo-Christian-Muslim murders. Maybe some other numbers on the impact of these murderers on civilization.
August 1st, 2005 at 12:58 pmIncest, AIDS, violence against spouses, slavery, mental illness, etc.
If someone could challenge “one nation, under god” in the pledge of allegiance, then surely this is easy prey. I’d give it one session before a lawsuit is filed. Any atheists in Texas?
August 1st, 2005 at 1:01 pmIt has been on the local news in Dallas. Someone will sue.
August 1st, 2005 at 1:06 pmWhether it is a single atom of hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, or a being as complex as a Judas Goat, it has been created somehow. It wasn’t just there and then began to evolve. It doesn’t happen that way. How it all has come into existence is a complete mystery. You can study creationism or evolution until the cows come home, but you will never arrive at an answer, just pure speculation. The Viceroy doesn’t care. As long as the bird of prey confuses him with a Monarch, he’ll be ok.
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.
- Galileo Galilei
The Crime of Galileo
Whereas you, Galileo, son of the late Vincenzio Galilei, of Florence, aged seventy years, were denounced in 1615, to this Holy Office, for holding as true a false doctrine taught by many, namely, that the sun is immovable in the center of the world, and that the earth moves, and also with a diurnal motion; also, for having pupils whom you instructed in the same opinions; also, for maintaining a correspondence on the same with some German mathematicians; also for publishing certain letters on the sun-spots, in which you developed the same doctrine as true; also, for answering the objections which were continually produced from the Holy Scriptures, by glozing the said Scriptures according to your own meaning; and whereas thereupon was produced the copy of a writing, in form of a letter professedly written by you to a person formerly your pupil, in which, following the hypothesis of Copernicus, you include several propositions contrary to the true sense and authority of the Holy Scriptures; therefore (this Holy Tribunal being desirous of providing against the disorder and mischief which were thence proceeding and increasing to the detriment of the Holy Faith) by the desire of his Holiness and the Most Emminent Lords, Cardinals of this supreme and universal Inquisition, the two propositions of the stability of the sun, and the motion of the earth, were qualified by the Theological Qualifiers as follows:
1. The proposition that the sun is in the center of the world and immovable from its place is absurd, philosophically false, and formally heretical; because it is expressly contrary to Holy Scriptures.
2. The proposition that the earth is not the center of the world, nor immovable, but that it moves, and also with a diurnal action, is also absurd, philosophically false, and, theologically considered, at least erroneous in faith.
Therefore . . . , invoking the most holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His Most Glorious Mother Mary, We pronounce this Our final sentence: We pronounce, judge, and declare, that you, the said Galileo . . . have rendered yourself vehemently suspected by this Holy Office of heresy, that is, of having believed and held the doctrine (which is false and contrary to the Holy and Divine Scriptures) that the sun is the center of the world, and that it does not move from east to west, and that the earth does move, and is not the center of the world; also, that an opinion can be held and supported as probable, after it has been declared and finally decreed contrary to the Holy Scripture, and, consequently, that you have incurred all the censures and penalties enjoined and promulgated in the sacred canons and other general and particular constituents against delinquents of this description. From which it is Our pleasure that you be absolved, provided that with a sincere heart and unfeigned faith, in Our presence, you abjure, curse, and detest, the said error and heresies, and every other error and heresy contrary to the Catholic and Apostolic Church of Rome.
1630 A.D.
August 1st, 2005 at 1:11 pm18.
That is what the conversatives want you to do. That demonstrates that you are against religious and make them stronger.
Read the 15. post and check their documents out. Then use that against them.
The purpose is to expose the leadership of the conservative movement as being anti-christian. That the conservative leadership is using the christian followers to destroy America, America values, and the christian religion.
If we go to court we need to prosecute the leaders for treason against the Unites States of America. Just sueing to stop bible schools will not work.
August 1st, 2005 at 1:12 pmMadeline Murray O’Hare is somewhere in Texas.
August 1st, 2005 at 1:13 pmHere’s the thing: I’m not anti-religion. I just firmly believe in the separation between church and state. It protects not only the secular world but religious. I don’t think politics should be able to interfere with my church — you see how political influence tends to corrupt what it touches. For example, I don’t think pastors should endorse candidates from the pulpit. Weakening the wall puts both sides in danger.
I also disagree with using taxpayer money for textbooks which contain obvious falsehoods and which work to undermine fact. I have no problem with a religion class, or with a biblical history class. I do have a problem with proselytizing on the public dime.
August 1st, 2005 at 1:20 pmDumbya is gonna be a perfesser Emeritus in this program when he “gits out” in a coupla yars…
August 1st, 2005 at 1:55 pmRuining Texas for the Rest of Us
Despite the continuous carping from the Anti-Texas brigade, there is alot to like about Texas.
August 1st, 2005 at 2:11 pmWe aren’t anti religion here. Those of us who don’t support the funding of a single religion/studies class only need ask one question of those who do support it.
That is :” If it were your choice would you support the funding of ___________ studies class with public tax dollars?” Fill in the blank with any one of the alternative religions/spiritualities out there. I mean really, go out and say Satanism or Mormanism if you really want to gover the top (don’t e-mail me, that’s a joke people). If they support christian class but don’t support each and every other inclusion, then no, they are hypocrites and can’t have the class.
If they were smart and said Sure, I’d support it, then they could have the class. I’m safe saying that because they would NEVER say yes to many other religions, of that I’m sure.
August 1st, 2005 at 2:12 pmThis is awesome news. We in Asia hope that the rest of America follows the Odessa example… pretty soon you can bid farewell to American dominance over progressive scientific thinking.
August 1st, 2005 at 2:14 pmThe evangelicals of the land don’t see that they are the American version of the Taliban. As they would prefer to teach their version of the Bible in the classroom, they would also have to teach the Catholic version, the Jewish version, the Koran, the teachings of Bhudda, the polytheistic Hinduism, the B’Hai,and on and on. If they would teach a class on “Religion” they will have to teach ALL of them. Oh, wait, silly me, this is Texas.
August 1st, 2005 at 2:25 pmAlas, Chinese Guy, you are correct.
August 1st, 2005 at 2:49 pmAnd for the previous 2 thousand years the majority of men of the western world believe that Athena sprang forth from the head of Zeus. Just because stupid men believe something – doesn’t make it the truth or science! These guys are such idiots!
August 1st, 2005 at 3:19 pmPerhaps the school could also teach that classic text on Christian ethics:
“What Would Jesus Do? An Ethical Guide for George W. Bush”
August 1st, 2005 at 4:02 pmTexass would do us proud if they also made special provisions for those who study the Gita, the Upanashads, or even the Philokalia(sp?).
Until then, what’s there to like about Texass?
August 1st, 2005 at 5:44 pmThe problem with all you heathens making these posts is that when you were children, you needed the devil beaten out of you. Literally. The American Taliban is alive and well.
August 1st, 2005 at 6:26 pmTop Ten Reasons to Teach the Bible in Texas:
10) Turn water into wine – why not water into oil?
9) Moving animals across great distances – that’s Texas.
8) Bush. Gonzalez. We need the extra prayers.
7) The Koran just feels too heavy. Kids need simple.
6) Let the other countries rear intelligent kids. We’ll have the dumb, righteous ones.
5) Confessions were running at record low numbers last year.
4) We love Waco and we want more of the same.
3) Illegal immigrants love the gesture.
2) Karl Rove said so.
1) It’s just too damn trendy not to.
Cheers!
August 1st, 2005 at 6:29 pmHey kids, take your voodoo dolls to school, and use them often and conspicuously. Don’t worry about offending anyone. Remember, it’s freedom of religion!
August 1st, 2005 at 6:49 pmIgnorance is rampant, Texass is proof. Let’s here from some of those Texass liberals that are suppose to be out there. I guess this was another one you fell asleep on.
August 1st, 2005 at 6:50 pmRyan Neat – I think you have something there. Have you ever compared some of the stories of Greek mythology to the stories of the Bible? I think they may all have emanated from the same folk lore — just modified to fit the popular view of the day.
August 1st, 2005 at 7:47 pmWhat would you Libs prefer? Teaching the kids how to put
August 1st, 2005 at 9:15 pma condom on a cucumber? We all know he answer to that don’t we? Youy idiots figure you can’t win elections because you can’t your message out. Wrong again you looney Libs! Your problem is we hear you fine!
Hey Mike, thanks for enlightening me. I must be one of the loonies here because I never thought it belonged on a cumcumber. I always thought they were made for the Neo-trolls to wear over their heads.
August 1st, 2005 at 9:48 pmDissing Texas for the assholes who are currently in charge is just like dissing the USA for the assholes who are currently in charge. Do you commenters (referring specifically to those who have made such comments) also morally judge cancer patients for being victims of a noxious disease? Texas needs help, not hate. Ask Molly Ivins for a long list of what’s good about Texas.
Coondoms on cucumbers makes sense. Keeps vegetables from breeding — might reduce the population of idiot trolls, eh?
This Christianist nonsense they’re trying to teach needs to be vigorously countered by Christians. It’s a distortion of their beliefs — that can’t sit well with the more enlightened among them.
August 2nd, 2005 at 6:47 amNo, we are dissing Texass because your assholes are ruining the USA. Don’t take it personally, clean-up your mess, people will respect you again.
August 3rd, 2005 at 4:16 pmRelax, people.The con men are gasping their dying breaths-they know the world is wising up to their bullshit,which is why they’re so determined to change things in their favor-time is running out for them and they know it-which makes them the greatest threat we have ever known.Terrorism is their last excuse-and terrorism is a self-defeating means to its own end.Their lies are starting to catch up with them and we all know that we may be ignorant humans,but you can’t bullshit us forever.
August 5th, 2005 at 1:47 pmWhatever happend to seperation of CHURCH and STATE? Why does BushCo constantly bring up Christianity?
August 18th, 2005 at 6:40 pmbdsm full length movie
Think Progress »…
October 17th, 2005 at 3:39 pm