Monday, July 09, 2007

 

On Point


The Chesterfield (Virginia) School Board has already set itself up to institute some sort of "teach the controversy" ID-substitute ploy for its schools while officially maintaining that ID won't be taught.

Not satisfied, the board is now flirting with a "teach the Bible as literature" elective course. Lest anyone get the mistaken idea that this has anything other than religion as a motive, there is the letter from one supporter that says:

It is my solemn belief that without moral values, our country is on the brink of self-destruction. I and so many others out here want you all to know that we support you in making a decision to allow the Bible to be taught objectively and (in a) First Amendment friendly (way) in our public schools. Not only are we asking, but are diligently seeking the means to make it happen.
Sure, teach the Bible in a "First Amendment friendly" way that will reflect and strengthen moral values. Anyone notice the little contradiction there?

So far the only curriculum mentioned for such a course is the one prepared by the Bible Literacy Project. As Americans United for Separation of Church and State notes, that curriculum, while still problematic, is light-years better than the one offered by the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools, which is presently the subject of an ACLU lawsuit in Texas. If Chesterfield goes for the National Council's version, that will remove any remote doubts about their motive.

I didn't know that "moral values" included "tiptoeing around the law."

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