Senate Passes Bill To Teach Bible In Ky. Schools

[kristian's_mom]

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Bible classes could be taught in Kentucky public schools under a bill that's made it halfway through the legislature.

State Senator Joe Bowen wants Kentucky public school students to have an opportunity to take classes about the bible.

"No doubt about it, the most important book ever written and obviously, it's had so much influence on our society and all of western civilization," Bowen said.

Last year, former State Senator David Boswell introduced the same bill. It passed the Senate, but died in the house.

Bowen defeated Boswell last November.

Now he, too, has passed the same bill out of the Senate, even though Bowen admits there's nothing preventing Kentucky public schools from teaching bible classes now.

"There's not, but this provides a road map, OK, this sets the foundation," he said.

Last year, when Boswell introduced the bill, State Senator Tim Shaughnessy voted for it. This year, Republican Bowen introduced it, Shaughnessy didn't vote on it.

"I didn't read it as closely as I should have," Shaughnessy said. "I spent a little more time looking into it."

Shaughnessy specifically said a provision allowing students to substitute their own text for the course throws academic credibility out the window.

State Rep. Reggie Meeks has a harsher view of the bill – he believes the Senate, with its 34-1 vote in favor of the measure, is pandering to Kentucky's Christian voters.

"It's like waving meat in front of a dog, OK? You give them what they want," Meeks said.

"What this bill provides for is a social studies course. It's education, it's not indoctrination," Bowen said.

"I suspect it will not make it out of the house this year, either," Meeks said.

"We know that was an obstacle," Bowen said.

http://www.wlky.com/politics/26818810/detail.html

[Cindy]

Pandering to voters, what a concept.

[Austin]

The Bible says," My word will not return unto void.If someone will sow the seed then God will give the harvest. This will be a great victory for all believers, and even greater victory for the world to hear," What saith the Lord.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Pandering to voters, what a concept.

Yes. a very tyrannical concept.

[ReformedDave]

No matter what side one comes down on this is an ignorant remark ""What this bill provides for is a social studies course. It's education, it's not indoctrination," Bowen said.". Like 'education' is not indoctrination?!

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

No matter what side one comes down on this is an ignorant remark ""What this bill provides for is a social studies course. It's education, it's not indoctrination," Bowen said.". Like 'education' is not indoctrination?!

education is not indoctrination.

[kristian's_mom]

I hope they wouldn't offer this course until high school, and it should only teach the basics and not the teacher's interpretatation of the basics. I would have loved to have taken this in school.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by kristian's_mom

I hope they wouldn't offer this course until high school, and it should only teach the basics and not the teacher's interpretatation of the basics. I would have loved to have taken this in school.

The basics... now thats a can of worms. So what do you refer to as the basics?

[kristian's_mom]

Originally Posted by jfrog

The basics... now thats a can of worms. So what do you refer to as the basics?

The things that all of Christianity agree upon- like Christ's death, burial, resurrection. You must have have faith in Jesus, etc. When teaching things like baptism, speaking in tongues, living holy, etc. , they can present the scriptures that talk about these things and then show what the different denominations believe and why they believe it without favoring one interpretation over another.

I think the most important thing is teaching Jesus, getting that seed planted. Once that seed is firmly planted he will take care of it from there.