Talk of Lufkin

By Calvin Evans

July 30, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this

I, being a christian definitely support a Bible Class for our children in school. Perhaps that will be the only time any of them will ever read or study the bible which is greatly needed in our society today. More of our elected officials need to realize what our country was founded on (FAITH, HOPE AND TRUST) and most of all God. Our forefathers did a lot of praying while founding our country. If more officials were Biblical indoctrinated, then I feel that we would not have as many problems that we have today in our schools, homes and out in the public. If young people hear adults telling lies, they thing it is okay for them to do the same, see them stealing, then it is okay for them to do it, cursing, if you stop and think about it, our children are taught well of how to use profanity because they hear parents, grandparents and other adults saying some very bad words. PLEASE, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WAKE UP TO THE FACT THAT GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING AND HE IS ABLE TO FORGIVE US OF OUR WRONG DOINGS AND SET OUR LIVES BACK IN THE RIGHT PATH SO YOU (WE) CAN BE A POSITIVE EXAMPLE BEFORE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE OF TODAY.

By Anonymous

July 30, 2008 4:17 AM | Link to this

I have questions about this proposed Bible Class, knowing that some students will be against taking a class such as this. If the Bible Class is required, then it will meet a brick wall of parents and students who are not as in touch with Christian beliefs, and will cause issues. As an elective the class may be acceptable, though the question remains, will the Bible class focus on a certain religion’s take on the Bible, or all of them?

Then of course there is the larger question, is this a violation of the separation of church and state? Honestly, I know that every church offers a Bible School of some sort. Why exactly do we need one at school? Our children should be learning math, science, english, and all of the basic courses that will help them to succeed in life after they graduate.

I have nothing against the Bible being taught, though I do believe that it shouldn’t be taught at school. School is for teaching our children the skills that they need to be successful in life.The Bible can and should be taught at church and at home, not in a school.

By Pastor Monterastelli

July 30, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this

Does this open the door to the study of other religious liturature in schools? Or is that already allowed? so that only church liturature is barred? How is the line of what is in and what is out to be drawn? Perhaps, in the setting of a secular school, the Bible could be studied, not merely as liturature but from a socialogical perspective in how it’s texts have been viewed by different groups throughout history and in different communities. The evidence of what is known of how the texts were recorded, preserved and transferred from generation to generation could be presented. It could be very educational for Christian and non-Christian alike. It should NOT be a required course in public schools, however. Where would the class fall in the curricula? Under history? Language arts? Social studies?

By Pastor Monterastelli

July 30, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this

Does this open the door to the study of other religious liturature in schools? Or is that already allowed? so that only church liturature is barred? How is the line of what is in and what is out to be drawn? Perhaps, in the setting of a secular school, the Bible could be studied, not merely as liturature but from a socialogical perspective in how it’s texts have been viewed by different groups throughout history and in different communities. The evidence of what is known of how the texts were recorded, preserved and transferred from generation to generation could be presented. It could be very educational for Christian and non-Christian alike. It should NOT be a required course in public schools, however. Where would the class fall in the curricula? Under history? Language arts? Social studies?

By Intellectual

July 30, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

If this class is a cross section of all religious doctrines, then I’m all for that, it’s good to feel out all of your options. But since it is called “bible class” and not “religious studies” I doubt it.

(Or Q’ran studies, or Torah studies, etc. etc.)

If it does solely focus on the Christian bible, then rest assured it will be quickly struck down by any number of organizations, including the ACLU, among many others.

Here’s a prayer for you; Thank God everyday that our fore fathers had enough foresight to put “separation of church and state” into our Country’s foundation.

That way a Bush-appointed Governor can’t try and place a right-winged agenda into our schools on his graceful exit out…

By lufkin resident

July 30, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

I think that a Bible Class would be good for alot of our children. I feel when they took God and prayer out of school it had a huge impact of alot of children. Without God we would not exist. It would allow the young people to understand,and minister to others that do not have God in their lives, and get rid of some of the negative things in their lives, such as drugs,cussing, and wanting to party all the time.

By Marcus Taylor

July 30, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

This is absurd, to teach unproven theory as fact in grade school. If and when there are bible classes, I DEMAND Torah and Qur’an classes as well. Christianity is no better or more correct than Judaism and Islam. How’s that for separation of Church & State? … and I have to pay taxes for this rediculous crap.

By lufkin resident

July 30, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

It is so sad that people think that it is wrong for children to be taught about god in school.GOD IS THE REASON WE ARE HERE TODAY. I feel the same way that another citizen does if GOD was taught more in school then children probabl wouldn’t act the way they do.

By Unknown

July 30, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

I think that this is a very good idea and the quicker they can get it in the schools the better. To Marcus Taylor, I will say a prayer for you and if this could be offered to adults that had already graduated I would suggest that you take this class.

By Unknown

July 30, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!!!!

By Unknown

July 30, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!!!!

By Jeff

July 30, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

Just for the record, the phrase “separation of church and state” is not to be found anywhere in the founding documents of America. It actually came from a personal letter written by Thomas Jefferson. Funny how we quote a little phrase like that so often while we ignore entire segments from the Constitution. So, to “Intellectual” I say only: here is a better prayer. Thank God everyday that this country was founded on Biblical principles, because that is the only reason we still enjoy as much freedom in America as we do.

That being said, it is entirely fair that the Bible be taught in our public schools, if for no other reason than to present the other side in the creation vs. evolution debate. It is a well known fact that evolution is only a theory. Yet, it is often taught as fact to the exclusion of all other theories. Now that is biased and unfair. If we are to put up with evolutionary theory being taught to our kids, then we must almost allow the alternative view to be expressed so they can choose for themselves.

So many people hate and fear the Bible because it makes them accountable for their actions. It places them under the authority of a perfect and all-powerful God who hates sin. This scares them. It makes them feel guilty when they would rather just be able to have fun and do what feels good without worrying about any consequences. Yet, they miss out on God’s love, grace, and mercy and instead are filled with hate, anger, and fear.

May God help America!

By lufkin resident

July 31, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

Please put God back in schools. Alot of the people into todays time is full of sin.Would you die on a Cross for someone? He did for us,so put God first and he will show you the way to live the kind of life that he expects us to……. Quit being so self centered and get back to whats real and that is OUR GOD.

By Intellectual: Jeff's Revenge

July 31, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Jeff, before you go off sounding smarter than you are, very quick digging in any number of resources can soon render your faux intellectual banter paper thin…

Furthermore, it’s naive to think that the ideas of a Thomas Jefferson (A President, A signer of all documents that this country was based on, and someone who was far better friends with the founding fathers than you) didn’t influence his colleagues.

A few quick points:

Myth:
The Constitution reflects Christian principles and morals.

Response: “Another common argument offered by those opposed to the strict separation of church and state is the idea that the Constitution somehow embodies or at least reflects fundamental Christian morals and principles.

Although the argument seems to flow relatively smoothly, the opening premise stands on very shaky ground. For one thing, it is clear that there is no obvious and unequivocal statement in the Constitution which specifies the importance of Christian principles or morals - at no point is Christianity in any way singled out as basis for anything which the text claims.”

There’s a lot more available that continues to make you sound dumb if you’re interested. Try looking for at least one minute before you pose as an authority.

For the record, I don’t fear the Bible because it holds me accountable for my actions, the impartial laws of this country do.

The Bible has great lessons, just like any number of religious texts that will not be covered in this proposed class.

And if you hate evolution so much and you REALLY think the world began 5,000 years ago, take an archeology class at SFA, maybe then you’ll have better points to back up your “beliefs”.

By unknown

July 31, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

It is a great feeling that God loves everyone, even those who resist them!!

By unknown

July 31, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

sorry, i meant those who resist Him!!

By Jeff

July 31, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Oh wow! It was SFA that made you an intellectual…haha!

You are proving my point more than anything else. Said archeology class at SFA would be based on evolution, no? So, that is clearly bias in the state school system since evolution is merely a theory. Why is only one theory being taught and creation is being left out? Calling foul when the Bible is included in schools and the Torah is left out is ridiculous when such hypocrisy is being practiced in the science classroom everyday. Once we teach every possible theory for the beginning of the world, then we can include every possible religious book.

Speaking of standing on shaky ground, your “argument” appears to be more along the lines of, shall we say “faux intellectual banter.” The strong foundation you stand on about the Constitution not being founded on Christian principles is that it doesn’t specifically say anything about Christianity? Wow, that is so strong I can’t believe it - one whole reason (or is it whole?).

You say that Jefferson’s beliefs most likely affected his colleagues. Well then, it is just as natural to assume that the Bible influenced the writing of the Constitution because the founding fathers read the Bible. I would even venture to suggest that the Bible, which these men had read and studied since they were children, had much bigger of an impact on their beliefs than one man. But, be naive if you want.

If you ever do any “very quick digging in any number of resources” be sure to let me know. As it is, all you presented was your opinions and observations - no facts. You have your beliefs and I have mine. Apparently, they’re not quite the same.

By Linda Chudej

August 10, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

This is a good decision in my opinion. With so many different interpretations of the Bible I think it would be foolhardy to have a class teaching the Bible—too easy for a teacher to “personalize” one’s beliefs to the class and insinuate that is the ONLY way to interpret the Bible. And to make the class mandatory would be a violation of separation of church and state.