Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 10-08-2009, 11:26 AM

Professors guide high school instructors on approaching Scripture as an academic subject

Quote:

It was day two of a four-day crash course on how to teach the Bible in public schools, a training program crafted by University of Texas at Austin scholars to help teachers prepare for state-mandated classes on the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament this fall. The university is the only state school in the country that provides such a program.

The August seminar was sponsored by the Religious Studies Department and the university’s Institute for the Study of Antiquities and Christian Origins in collaboration with the Atlanta-based Society of Biblical Literature.

. . .

White and Kent Richards, executive director of the Society of Biblical Literature, led teachers on a fast-paced trek through the First Amendment, the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament.

driver8 · 10-08-2009, 11:36 AM

As a former 24-yr resident of Texas, I can easily guess what the intention of the state legislature was here. I think, however, that this might well backfire on them by introducing some level of rational discourse. UT-Austin is not typical of most of Texas, thank ???.

Failte · 10-08-2009, 11:54 AM

As far as I know, Austin is a little enclave of norrnalness in the middle of Texas.

What I want to know is, is there a state-mandated course on the study o the Koran? The Vedas and Upanishads? The other hundred or so recognized 'scriptures'?

Regardless of whether you teach it as literature or as history or as a religious studies class, limiting it to ONE religion is not acceptable. Tiptoe all you like around whether you're "promoting one religion" in the actual class...if you ONLY offer the one class with a christian interpretation, you're wrong. When will they understand that?

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10-08-2009, 11:36 AM	#2
driver8 Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 167	As a former 24-yr resident of Texas, I can easily guess what the intention of the state legislature was here. I think, however, that this might well backfire on them by introducing some level of rational discourse. UT-Austin is not typical of most of Texas, thank ???.

10-08-2009, 11:54 AM	#3
Failte Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,405	As far as I know, Austin is a little enclave of norrnalness in the middle of Texas. What I want to know is, is there a state-mandated course on the study o the Koran? The Vedas and Upanishads? The other hundred or so recognized 'scriptures'? Regardless of whether you teach it as literature or as history or as a religious studies class, limiting it to ONE religion is not acceptable. Tiptoe all you like around whether you're "promoting one religion" in the actual class...if you ONLY offer the one class with a christian interpretation, you're wrong. When will they understand that?

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