Kentucky gives blessing to Bible classes in public schools

GySgt John Olson - Humans don't need religion to start wars. Humans seek power and yes, many find that power in religion but they also find it in politics and everything else.

But besides all that, we can't be friends anymore because of one seemingly innocent statement you made. "I vilify Chick Fil A because I think their food sucks..." I can tolerate a lot of things but I have no room in my life for those that don't like those chicken sandwiches. Lol

MAJ (Join to see) - Scott your intentions were ok. I'm just trying to stress the importance parents are entrusted with, discussing and learning and living by the Word of God and allowing their children to hear and experience this wonderful gift! Our children deserve this, and by scripture(s) were asked to do this by God. All is well Scott.

GySgt John Olson - I find it interesting that people blame religion for war. In all of written history, how long is the history of secular government? I won't say this is absolutely correct, But I cannot think of any examples prior to the ratification of the US Constitution and when it went into effect March 4, 1789. Prior to that date I believe all governments were theocracies, some tolerant, some not. Let's compare the death tolls of secular governments vs theocracies from that date.

I am very interested in history, and in EVERY case I have studied, the root cause of the war is not differences in religion. A superficial examination might lead one to believe so, but deeper examination shows that so-called "religious wars" or "religious persecution" have at their root economic reasons (competition for resources, expansion of territory, etc.) or the purpose of securing/consolidating power. If you can cite examples counter to my assertion, I will gladly research them.

Religious difference has been used as a tool. It is simply a shortcut to organize a power base to accomplish the economic or power based goals of the ruling elite. Blaming religion for war is like blaming weapons for war. With or without religion (or weapons) man would make war on man. It is what we do.

But those quick to condemn religion as a force of war, forget the examples where religion has had a dampening effect on violence; the use of Christianity to temper the conduct of Christian mercenaries at the end of the dark ages, or the place of the Christian Church in eradicating slavery within the British empire, or abolition factions in early 19th century America, or the establishment of the Red Cross and laws of land warfare in the 20th century.

GySgt John Olson - I wasn't referring to you. Tell you what: I'm no fan of Chick Fil A either. Tried it once. Didn't go back, but it had nothing to do with anything but I think the Colonel's secret blend of spices and herbs produces a better result. However, if you had been following the news out of NYC, you wouldn't be confused. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/chick-fil-as-creepy-infiltration-of-new-york-city

GySgt John Olson - You are thinking along the lines of some of the difficulties I've found on doing any external paid activities in a school setting, much less religious ones. Then there is the question of who's teaching this, are they certified, is it done during school hours because that means something else isn't getting taught to those kids, are they reimbursing the teacher's salary if a teacher is doing it? The rat hole this goes down quickly gets deep.

CPT Jack Durish - Perhaps even more damning to the idea that this is constitutional is this is a bill that was signed into law. Not that any group could have such a class, only "Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament of the Bible, the New Testament, or a combination of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible". Any religion that isn't that is not part of this law.

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/17RS/HB128.htm

That is sure to fail the Lemon test at least (though that is falling out of favor). The law clearly shows government favoritism to certain religious beliefs and based on the history of judicial decisions around this issue, I can't see how this will hold up to judicial review.

Yeah I haven't seen any clarification as to how this course is being paid for if not by the current public school funding that is taxpayer money.
CPT Jack Durish I would like to entertain Muslim American parents asking for an elective class on Islam from the context of World History and Literature. See how the very Christian population of Kentucky would react to such a suggestion even if the parents insist it be an elective and paid for by participating families. Oh and it's not limited to Muslims; anyone can take the class. Do the same for Judaism.

Why not make it a "Religious Literature" class that discusses select texts from all religious books and documents from the context of influence on World History and Cultural Literature?

MAJ James Woods - Yes, a reading of the law is that the Kentucky Board of Education is directed to create "... administrative regulations to establish an elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament of the Bible, the New Testament, or a combination of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible; require that the course provide to students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy; permit students to use various translations of the Bible for the course;"

That sounds like the taxpayers are paying for it. There is no provision in it I can see that talks about private funding.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/17RS/HB128.htm