Bible Literacy

135

Comments

  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    Bu2 wrote:
    as you well know. When I was a kid in school, we were exposed to Greek and Roman mythology and their effects on art and literature. That was in English Lit. In Social Studies we were exposed to the three branches of the US Government and their roles and rights. I was a 9th grade high school freshman, High Honor Roll Student, who soaked it all up in that first year and have never forgotten what I learned.

    The following year, I moved to southern Florida, where in my English class I was taught where to place a comma in a sentence. I had no Social Studies class. Instead, I had Business Math, where I learned how to calculate mileage on a rental car and the interest on a loan.

    I dropped out.

    Yea, I remember learning Roman and Greek mythology in social studies as well. In Ontario though, there is no Soc. Std. class. It's separated into Geography, History and Literature or some shit. But it sounds like the structure is better. I think I'd be illiterate without some understanding of mythology/theology.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    Bu2 wrote:
    I feel that if schools are going to introduce the Bible as a work of literature or as a reference tool to students, they should do the same with the Koran, Buddhist teachings, etc. as well as Greek and Roman mythology.

    No omissions.

    I see what you are getting at, and that is probably right. But there are a lot of texts that could be omitted if they don't pertain to literature. For example, Hinduism has a huge amount of texts that would take several years to learn.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • ForestBrain
    ForestBrain Posts: 460
    baraka wrote:
    I'm still thinking about the pros & cons myself. What are your reservations?
    My reservations are that the Bible is not Shakespeare nor Dickens. It is too...personal for people to be taught in school. They don't have people read books on the Hindu religion. People don't have any respect for the Bible anymore, anyway, so what's the point? What good will it do?
    I agree with what Urban Hiker said. All I'm saying is this...if it is indeed the Word of God, then it should not be so disrespected.
    When life gives you lemons, throw them at somebody.
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    ForestBrain wrote:
    My reservations are that the Bible is not Shakespeare nor Dickens. It is too...personal for people to be taught in school. They don't have people read books on the Hindu religion. People don't have any respect for the Bible anymore, anyway, so what's the point? What good will it do?
    I agree with what Urban Hiker said. All I'm saying is this...if it is indeed the Word of God, then it should not be so disrespected.

    Hinduism has nothing to do with english literature.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • hippiemom
    hippiemom Posts: 3,326
    ForestBrain wrote:
    My reservations are that the Bible is not Shakespeare nor Dickens. It is too...personal for people to be taught in school. They don't have people read books on the Hindu religion. People don't have any respect for the Bible anymore, anyway, so what's the point? What good will it do?
    I agree with what Urban Hiker said. All I'm saying is this...if it is indeed the Word of God, then it should not be so disrespected.
    It can be taught as literature. Kids can learn the stories as stories. If their parents want to teach them something beyond the story aspect, they will do so. We don't need to read Hindu literature because it's not referenced in practically every other book we read.

    It's not about respecting the bible, it's about being literate.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    Dan Dennett in his response to Pastor Rick Waren at TED suggests that we teach all facts about all religions in school. No values, but only facts. I'm assuming one of those facts is the literary significance of the stories.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • Jeanie
    Jeanie Posts: 9,446
    Ahnimus wrote:
    Its weird. I've heard Richard Dawkins advocating teaching biblical literacy in school, for the reason stated above. Likewise, if you were studying arabic literature, you would need a sufficient understanding of the Koran.

    However, its not going to be anti-theists like Dawkins that stops it from being taught in school. Its more likely theists who are afraid that it will be taught with a secular slant.

    Ah! Thanks for the reminder ryan. I taped that Richards Dawkins special a coupla weeks ago and still haven't watched it.
    Might snuggle up on the couch and do that now. :)
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    Jeanie wrote:
    Ah! Thanks for the reminder ryan. I taped that Richards Dawkins special a coupla weeks ago and still haven't watched it.
    Might snuggle up on the couch and do that now. :)

    What Richard Dawkins special?!?!?!?!?!?

    A new one?!?!?!?!?

    And uh... How come Dawkins name is capitalized, but mine isn't?!?!?!?!?!? ;)
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • ForestBrain
    ForestBrain Posts: 460
    hippiemom wrote:
    It can be taught as literature. Kids can learn the stories as stories. If their parents want to teach them something beyond the story aspect, they will do so. We don't need to read Hindu literature because it's not referenced in practically every other book we read.

    It's not about respecting the bible, it's about being literate.
    I find this very interesting. The Bible is the world's most recognized work of literature. It has no faults, no inconsistencies and it does not contradict itself anywhere. It is huge, it is poetry, it is art. It can cause every feeling that is known to man. It is the greatest masterpiece ever, and yet, people see it as nothing other than a story book.
    What. A. Shame.

    (BTW, I have read a WHOLE lot...novels, biographies, informational books, autobiographies. I am really big on educating myself and experiencing every thing that I can. I am even writing my own book. Just I would like to let you know so that you would not call me ignorant. Thanks.)
    When life gives you lemons, throw them at somebody.
  • Bu2
    Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    but there is a duplicate chapter in the Bible. It falls in the First Testament. I believe Kings carries the duplicate verses, but I could be wrong.

    If you read the Bible from start to finish, you will see the duplicate verses in two different First Testament chapters, that I promise you. I myself have not had to prove this for many years, and so will drag out my old Bible and try to find it again.

    But that there is a duplication, word for word, that carries on through many verses, I know as a fact.

    Let's race to see who finds it first, shall we?
    Feels Good Inc.
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    There is also the contradiction between Jesus being born in Galilee and Nazareth.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • Jeanie
    Jeanie Posts: 9,446
    Ahnimus wrote:
    What Richard Dawkins special?!?!?!?!?!?

    A new one?!?!?!?!?

    And uh... How come Dawkins name is capitalized, but mine isn't?!?!?!?!?!? ;)

    Nah it's probably old. It was a two parter on Compass on the ABC.

    http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s1928351.htm.

    Actually Compass has some pretty interesting programs on it and mostly are presented well fairly balanced

    http://www.abc.net.au/compass/default.htm

    You know if you can get passed Geraldine Doogue who has peeved me a few times with her efforts regarding euthanasia, but anyway.

    http://www.abc.net.au/compass/about/doogue.htm

    I taped it but forgot to watch it. But when I'm finished I'll read the book.
    Got that here too, in the book reading queue! :D

    And I can assure you it's just my sloppy typing today that messed with your capital Ryan! ;) Or maybe it was a Freudian slip! :p
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    Jeanie wrote:
    Nah it's probably old. It was a two parter on Compass on the ABC.

    http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s1928351.htm.

    Actually Compass has some pretty interesting programs on it and mostly are presented well fairly balanced

    http://www.abc.net.au/compass/default.htm

    You know if you can get passed Geraldine Doogue who has peeved me a few times with her efforts regarding euthanasia, but anyway.

    http://www.abc.net.au/compass/about/doogue.htm

    I taped it but forgot to watch it. But when I'm finished I'll read the book.
    Got that here too, in the book reading queue! :D

    And I can assure you it's just my sloppy typing today that messed with your capital Ryan! ;) Or maybe it was a Freudian slip! :p

    Ah ok, I've watched this 3 times on Youtube :) It's a gooder
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • ForestBrain
    ForestBrain Posts: 460
    Ahnimus wrote:
    There is also the contradiction between Jesus being born in Galilee and Nazareth.
    Show me where it is.
    When life gives you lemons, throw them at somebody.
  • Bu2
    Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    "The lord appears to Solomon"

    Everyone, pull out your Bibles, and go to KINGS 9:1

    and then go to CHRONICLES 7:11
    Feels Good Inc.
  • ForestBrain
    ForestBrain Posts: 460
    Bu2 wrote:
    but there is a duplicate chapter in the Bible. It falls in the First Testament. I believe Kings carries the duplicate verses, but I could be wrong.

    If you read the Bible from start to finish, you will see the duplicate verses in two different First Testament chapters, that I promise you. I myself have not had to prove this for many years, and so will drag out my old Bible and try to find it again.

    But that there is a duplication, word for word, that carries on through many verses, I know as a fact.

    Let's race to see who finds it first, shall we?
    I don't know what you are talking about, but when you find it, let me know.
    When life gives you lemons, throw them at somebody.
  • markymark550
    markymark550 Columbia, SC Posts: 5,224
    Ahnimus wrote:
    There is also the contradiction between Jesus being born in Galilee and Nazareth.
    Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.

    His childhood home was Nazareth, which is a city in the region of Galilee.
  • deadnothingbetter
    deadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    Bu2 wrote:
    "The lord appears to Solomon"

    Everyone, pull out your Bibles, and go to KINGS 9:1

    and then go to CHRONICLES 7:11
    first or second... there are two parts to both of these books
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • ForestBrain
    ForestBrain Posts: 460
    Bu2 wrote:
    "The lord appears to Solomon"

    Everyone, pull out your Bibles, and go to KINGS 9:1

    and then go to CHRONICLES 7:11
    Did you mean 2 chron 7?
    When life gives you lemons, throw them at somebody.
  • Bu2
    Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    ForestBrain wrote:
    Did you mean 2 chron 7?

    celebrating the showdown in the US Senate tonight, I'm not sure. Just peruse the two chapters until you find that they are the same, starting with the Solomon thing I just quoted.

    *goes back to the Senate floor on CSPAN2*
    Feels Good Inc.

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