Should the Bible be taught to Minors?

[DeitySlayer]

Where does it stop?
Why do you wish to deny rights to others that you yourself enjoy?

Where does it stop? It stops at teaching the Bible as a concrete fact. As part of RE, yes, because it is a fundamental part of civilization's development in the Western, and indeed entire, world, and an ideology that has influenced billions.

 

[Storm]

Where does it stop? It stops at teaching the Bible as a concrete fact. As part of RE, yes, because it is a fundamental part of civilization's development in the Western, and indeed entire, world, and an ideology that has influenced billions.

Moving the goalposts.

Whether the Bible is fact has no relevance to the question of whether it traumatizes kids.

 

[linwood]

Where does it stop? It stops at teaching the Bible as a concrete fact. As part of RE, yes, because it is a fundamental part of civilization's development in the Western, and indeed entire, world, and an ideology that has influenced billions.

The OP of this thread says nothing about teaching the Bible "as fact".

However that too is irrelevant as one cannot dictate what a parent can and cannot teach their children about their faith or lack thereof in my country.

I`m pretty sure it`s going to stay that way thankfully.

 

[linwood]

Also, I want to point out that the poll is skewed thanks to me.

I voted "yes" in answer to the threads title.
I now see the poll question itself leads to an entirely different answer.

My apologies.

 

[Tathagata]

I will post the sadistic Bible sex later. I can think of several instances off the top of my head that aren't just wholesome sex, but rather rape of young women and even an instance where God threatens to spread poop on faces of people who don't give him glory.



.

 

[Tristesse]

I vote yes. So long as it isn't taught as fact, or as a history book, or as a science book. If it's taught from a purely literary stand point, i think teaching the bible to kids can actually be a beneficial thing. As a work of fiction, the bible isn't that bad. Although, there are some parts of the bible that are x rated, so, maybe not teaching the whole book to the kids would be a good idea.

 

[Storm]

I vote yes. So long as it isn't taught as fact, or as a history book, or as a science book. If it's taught from a purely literary stand point, i think teaching the bible to kids can actually be a beneficial thing. As a work of fiction, the bible isn't that bad. Although, there are some parts of the bible that are x rated, so, maybe not teaching the whole book to the kids would be a good idea.

Shouldn't that be a "no" vote, then? Seeing as "concern" is code for "ban it."

 

[fallingblood]

I think the objections to teaching the Bible are some what humorous. By their objections, we should get rid of history books that teach our own history. We should get rid of psychology books, as they deal with some twisted ideas as well. Sociology books can go out as well.

Wouldn't it be logical to just not use the Bible to teach hatred? I don't think that is that hard. Or maybe one could teach the Bible in a historical context, as a piece of literature. Maybe we could just teach the Bible in a responsible manner. That doesn't seem like a radical idea.

We can't sugar coat everything for minors. Should we not teach about the Holocaust because it was a horrible tragedy? Should we not teach them of the evils that have happened in the world so maybe they can help fight against the evil that is happening now?

I would like to know how not teaching the Bible will do any good? It takes away people's rights. It steps on a person's right of freedom of religion. And really, the hatred and bigotry that some people have is still going to exist.

I find it funny that the OP is advocating taking away some people's right, even though he has over and over again complained about people infringing upon his rights. To me, it seems a little hypocritical.

 

[Tristesse]

Shouldn't that be a "no" vote, then? Seeing as "concern" is code for "ban it."

No, I would never want to ban a book. No matter how strongly I disagree with the message.

 

[Storm]

No, I would never want to ban a book. No matter how strongly I disagree with the message.

That's what I'm saying though. The op is saying the Bible shouldn't be taught to kids, and in the poll, phrased that as "concern."

 

[Tristesse]

Oh, ooops. I thought his question on the op was the title. He shouldn't have rephrased it.

 

[Storm]

Yeah, it did get confusing.

That makes two people who meant to vote No, so the real tally is No 6, Yes 4.

 

[Ordeet]

The Bible contains many things that many people in our modern society would find cruel and barbaric. It contains racism, sexism, homophobia, violence, bloodlust, and rape. Does anyone think this should concern people that this is taught to children as the infalliable word of god?

I accidentally voted wrong, because I do not think the Bible should be taught to minors for the reasons you listed. Of course there are some good principles from the Jewish Tanakh or "Old Testament", which they should learn about, but those are universal human values.

Children at a young age are quite impressionable. They do not need to be taught religious fundamentalism or hate. If you read the Bible closely, it's not suited for children. However, other religions do have something to offer. For example Hindus embrace the values of non-violence, and perhaps that is something that can be taught because who could object to non-violence? On the other hand the Bible and the Qur'an should be reserved for older, more mature adults.

Society must teach the young it's values, sciences, arts, and social expectations. If society as a whole is meant to be secular, then secular, not religious values must be taught in schools. Children without such education end up poor, prejudiced, and downtrodden in adult life; we must educate to STOP this. After all, the most important goal of education should be to make children tolerant. In these early days of their lives they will be impressionable to even the slightest fragment of hate, as they are little sponges absorbing and taking in wisdom from their elders. Allowing them to recieve bad knowledge leads to future trouble.

So, no, the Bible should not be taught to minors. To do so heaps scorn on the pluralistic, secular society of the modern world. The Bible should be made available to those who are mature and intelligent enough to make their own competent decision, and even then it should come with a warning label:

 

[fallingblood]

I accidentally voted wrong, because I do not think the Bible should be taught to minors for the reasons you listed. Of course there are some good principles from the Jewish Tanakh or "Old Testament", which they should learn about, but those are universal human values.

Children at a young age are quite impressionable. They do not need to be taught religious fundamentalism or hate. If you read the Bible closely, it's not suited for children. However, other religions do have something to offer. For example Hindus embrace the values of non-violence, and perhaps that is something that can be taught because who could object to non-violence? On the other hand the Bible and the Qur'an should be reserved for older, more mature adults.

Society must teach the young it's values, sciences, arts, and social expectations. If society as a whole is meant to be secular, then secular, not religious values must be taught in schools. Children without such education end up poor, prejudiced, and downtrodden in adult life; we must educate to STOP this. After all, the most important goal of education should be to make children tolerant. In these early days of their lives they will be impressionable to even the slightest fragment of hate, as they are little sponges absorbing and taking in wisdom from their elders. Allowing them to recieve bad knowledge leads to future trouble.

So, no, the Bible should not be taught to minors. To do so heaps scorn on the pluralistic, secular society of the modern world. The Bible should be made available to those who are mature and intelligent enough to make their own competent decision, and even then it should come with a warning label:

What about freedom of religion? Should be get the government more involved in what we read or what we can teach our children? And where does it stop? Should we take away history books because they teach the same type of ideas? What about fictional books that contain similar ideas? For instance, the biography of Malcolm X. It has a great message, but some material that is questionable. Where would it stop?

Now, I for one, and others here are not moving towards the idea that we should teach the Bible as fact. Or that we should use it to indoctrinate the youth. However, that is a choice that parents can make. Even if the Bible is taken away, those ideas will still be taught by parents who want to teach those ideas. The Bible isn't needed for hate and bigotry, especially when considering that Jesus himself says that one should love their neighbor as oneself.

The Bible is also full of good messages, and the idea of spreading love. Some people simply are not interested in that. Take the Bible away and it does nothing at all. However, if we can teach the youth, the children that the Bible is a literary book, that it has good messages in it, and the historical context in which many of the books were written, a lot of the problem would be solved. We could effectively start fighting ignorance.

 

[lockyfan]

I think it is a practical guide to living no matter when you live.

If you do not understand the laws of God or the reasons behind them how can you teach your child whether these things are right or wrong

thats the thing about the bible it does not become propaganda for either good or bad. It shows that the consequences of not Following God are actually quite severe.

Some include having to become a married person for defiling a woman, some include death for being a sinner. But when you die you have the hope of resurrection and if you marry the person you defiled, then you are actually doing the right thing. If the woman wants you then ok

Also the thing about women being lesser and not able to talk in the :"churches" is not that they are not allowed to speak as such, but they should not be teaching that is the mans place in things

the bible has a subjection list and tells us that Children are in Subjection to their parents Women in Subjection to men Men in Subjection to Christ and Christ in subjection to God.

Women are not mistreated as a matter of fact men are told to look after their wives as they would them selves and to treat them as if they are something delicate, beautiful or valuable. they are not to be pushed around and treated like refuse. that is not the proper way!.

Everything in the bible is there because God loves us and wants us to learn from these mistakes.

Think about what it is saying between the lines, not a face value.

there are some good examples and principles that if used today, you dont have the troubles everyone else has. You still have troubles, but not the same ones.


So of course.... It Should be taught to minors

 

[PolyHedral]

Not for me.

Now I'm curious: Why not? It's an order of magnitude bigger than the Holocaust.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

What about freedom of religion? Should be get the government more involved in what we read or what we can teach our children? And where does it stop? Should we take away history books because they teach the same type of ideas? What about fictional books that contain similar ideas? For instance, the biography of Malcolm X. It has a great message, but some material that is questionable. Where would it stop?

If you want freedom of religion, then there are only two possible positions for you to take on the subject of educating children on or with the Bible. Either they are taught every single religious text on the planet, or they are not taught any religious text at all. Those are the only two ways this issue could be resolved that protects and respects all people of all faiths.

This is not an issue of freedom of religion, it's about not giving preference to a religion. History is a subject founded in facts that teaches facts, as is politics. Fiction can help children develop critical/analytical skills, and never drops the pretext that it is fiction. Religious texts serve to tell people how to live their lives, and assert that their way is usually the only or the best way. These things are not comparable.

If a kid wants to read the Bible in their own time, or if that kid's parents want him to read it, fine. I only object to the teaching of any singular religion in a public, educational setting.

Now, I for one, and others here are not moving towards the idea that we should teach the Bible as fact. Or that we should use it to indoctrinate the youth. However, that is a choice that parents can make. Even if the Bible is taken away, those ideas will still be taught by parents who want to teach those ideas. The Bible isn't needed for hate and bigotry, especially when considering that Jesus himself says that one should love their neighbor as oneself.

The Bible is also full of good messages, and the idea of spreading love. Some people simply are not interested in that. Take the Bible away and it does nothing at all. However, if we can teach the youth, the children that the Bible is a literary book, that it has good messages in it, and the historical context in which many of the books were written, a lot of the problem would be solved. We could effectively start fighting ignorance.

Problem being that if you wanted to truly fight ignorance, you would have to do the exact same thing for almost every other religious text on the planet. You cannot give preferential treatment to the Bible on any level, or else you risk indoctrinating children, isolating children of other faiths, exposing children to prejudice and feeding them religious bias.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

I think it is a practical guide to living no matter when you live.

If you do not understand the laws of God or the reasons behind them how can you teach your child whether these things are right or wrong

thats the thing about the bible it does not become propaganda for either good or bad. It shows that the consequences of not Following God are actually quite severe.

So, it is propaganda then?

Some include having to become a married person for defiling a woman, some include death for being a sinner. But when you die you have the hope of resurrection and if you marry the person you defiled, then you are actually doing the right thing. If the woman wants you then ok

How is that practical? Marrying a woman for no reason other than some abstract notion of "defiling her" is nonsense and helpful neither to you nor her.

Also the thing about women being lesser and not able to talk in the :"churches" is not that they are not allowed to speak as such, but they should not be teaching that is the mans place in things

Oh, so it's not inequality. It's just... Inequality.

the bible has a subjection list and tells us that Children are in Subjection to their parents Women in Subjection to men Men in Subjection to Christ and Christ in subjection to God.

How can you not be utterly disgusted by the notion that women should be beneath men?

Women are not mistreated as a matter of fact men are told to look after their wives as they would them selves and to treat them as if they are something delicate, beautiful or valuable. they are not to be pushed around and treated like refuse. that is not the proper way!.

Yet you don't understand that this isn't about treatment. It's about respect and freedom. Women do not want to be the property of men any more than you want to be anybody's property, regardless of how "well" they may be treated.

Everything in the bible is there because God loves us and wants us to learn from these mistakes.

Think about what it is saying between the lines, not a face value.

there are some good examples and principles that if used today, you dont have the troubles everyone else has. You still have troubles, but not the same ones.

So of course.... It Should be taught to minors

Did you come here from the 17th century?

 

[Rakhel]

The bible didn't subjugate women. That was Paul's doing and Constantine's implementation of Paul's words.

As for the vote. It is too black and white.

 

[Willamena]

The Bible contains many things that many people in our modern society would find cruel and barbaric. It contains racism, sexism, homophobia, violence, bloodlust, and rape. Does anyone think this should concern people that this is taught to children as the infalliable word of god?

No, I think we should sing to them, instead.

Rock a'bye, Baby, on the tree top
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, Baby will fall
And down will come Baby, cradle and all