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Texas Public School Bible Curriculum Comes Under Fire From ... Bible Scholars.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3 2005 5:00 PM

Submitted by skeptik. Edited By SomeOneUK.

In an earlier discussion thread, SG members debated the advisability and constitutionality of Odessa, Texas public schools offering an elective Bible study course. The course, produced by the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools, is purported to examine the Bible as historical text with substantial influence on today's culture. The primary consensus seems to be that, if taught from a perspective that avoids religious indoctrination, there is no violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

A watchdog group, the Texas Freedom Network, which includes Biblical scholars and clergy from several faiths, complained on Monday that the course promotes a fundamentalist Christian view and violates religious freedom. They also reported that it is "full of errors and dubious research."

Texas Freedom Network President Kathy Miller said her group looked at the course after the Odessa school board voted in April to offer the class. It asked Southern Methodist University biblical scholar Mark A. Chancey to review the curriculum.

Chancey's review found that the course characterizes the Bible as inspired by God, that discussions of science are based on the biblical account of creation, that Jesus is referred to as fulfilling Old Testament prophecy, and that archaeological findings are erroneously used to support claims of the Bible's historical accuracy.

He said the course also suggests the Bible, instead of the Constitution, be considered the nation's founding document.

If such analysis is accurate, there may be a significant First Amendment problem with the curriculum. NCBC representatives, not surprisingly, objected to this characterization. Also not surprisingly, their objection also invoked the First Amendment.

Elizabeth Ridenour, president of the Bible class group, accused the Texas Freedom Network of censorship.

"They are actually quite fearful of academic freedom, and of local schools deciding for themselves what elective courses to offer their citizens," she said in a statement.

Although 52 school districts in Texas offer the course, in Odessa the curriculum materials have not yet been finalized.

8 Comments

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA

July 2004

AUG 03, 2005 05:26 PM

skeptik said:
If such analysis is accurate, there may be a significant First Amendment problem with the curriculum.

You can pretty much just replace the "may be" from that sentence with "is".

mamet

Charleston, SC

March 2005

AUG 03, 2005 05:32 PM

I don't know why, but I held out hope that this wouldn't be the case. Too bad.

XmilitaryXmikeX

Fort Worth, TX

August 2004

AUG 04, 2005 01:08 PM

the only problem with this course's curriculum violating First Amendment rights is in the people who teach this class. Courses like this should ALWAYS be under scrutiny for issues like this. The teachers and school board should be held accountable if reviewed by the state (or NCBC) for violating the Establishment Clause.

but what else do you expect from rural West Texas besides conservative Christian fundamentalism and high school football?

before you know it, they'll be saying Odessa Permian's "Mojo Magic" is the work of the devil (when it's really just steroids).

skeptik

New Orleans, LA

February 2004

AUG 04, 2005 01:15 PM

No, no. It actually emanates from their meteor crater.

"Space aliens made my team lose! Weekly World News reports in next weeks issue!"

[Edited on Aug 04, 2005 by skeptik]

LordAuch

Los Angeles, CA

April 2005

AUG 04, 2005 02:21 PM

Dont confuse Texans with pesky facts and legalities.

skeptik

New Orleans, LA

February 2004

AUG 04, 2005 03:32 PM

Interestingly enough, it was a group of Texans who raised these objections.

JuiceBox

Baltimore, MD

August 2004

AUG 04, 2005 08:28 PM

Y'know, I'd really like to see a legitimate bible study elective, cause then we could show the right wingers that we're not just reacting to religion in general.

But they always have to proselytize! Hey, maybe I don't want to go to heaven if it's filled with assholes like Jerry Falwell (haha)

AceTracer

Hollywood, FL

January 2004

AUG 04, 2005 08:53 PM

I would've taken a secular bible study course in high school if it were available; I even considered minoring in theology in college as I find the subject fascinating. But yeah, anyone that thinks proselytizing in a state run school is at all um, legal is severely mistaken.