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The cultural, historical, legal, and educational reasons why Bible history should be taught in Hamilton County public schools.
THE CASE FOR BIBLICAL EDUCATION IN AMERICA
AND SPECIFICALLY FOR TEACHING BIBLE HISTORY COURSES
IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF HAMILTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Click underlined headings for further study. Click here for a PDF version you can download.
- Biblical language permeates our conversation. Without the study of the Bible in our schools, we run the risk of creating an avoidable deficiency in American education.
- Deep knowledge requires cultural literacy. When the schools of a nation fail adequately to transmit the literate national language and culture, the unity and effectiveness of the nation will necessarily decline.
- Cultural literacy begins with Bible knowledge. No one in the English-speaking world can be considered literate without a basic knowledge of the Bible.
- Teaching the Bible is constitutionally permissible. Through the pronouncements of both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal District Court, the Bible teaching program in Hamilton County?s public schools stands the test of constitutionality.
- "Separation of Church and State" is a misleading metaphor. Never appearing in the Constitution nor in any other founding era document, the wall of separation between Church and State in a private letter from Thomas Jefferson was not meant to limit religious activities in public, but rather to limit the power of the government to prohibit or interfere with those expressions.
- Our Founding Fathers based 94% of the documents on the Bible, and 34% of the documents' contents were direct quotations from the Bible. The "father of public school education" said, "[The Bible] should be read in our schools in preference to all other books."
- Bible classes improve scholarship and character. A study by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency concludes that Bible students perform better than their classmates as a whole in almost every category with reinforced moral and character development that is antithetical to engaging in criminal or delinquent behavior.
- Teaching about the Bible in public schools is endorsed by a diverse group of organizations representing constituencies of educators, lawyers, Jews, Muslims, evangelicals, and social liberals. Because of its impact on drama, poetry, fiction, history, law, art, and contemporary society, the Bible should be taught in our public schools.
- True education demands a knowledge of the Bible. A full orbed education, whatever else it requires, demands that one have an acquaintanceship with one certain book. That book is the Bible.
- Bible in the Schools is a local phenomenon with broad local support. Hamilton County is unique in the courses offered, the teachers' certification, the support of principals and administrators, the diversity of students taking Bible History courses, the private funding, and the endorsement of community leaders.
- The real subject is the children. Support for the teaching of Bible History is one significant way to ensure a better, brighter future by enriching the next generation with the truth and knowledge of the Bible.
- Summary and conclusion. So much of the art, music, history, law, culture, and moral standards of Western civilization are based on the Bible, that to be a culturally literate, truly educated American requires biblical knowledge. Our invitation to you is to join us in presenting this precious gift to the public school students in Hamilton County.
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