There have been several Letters to the Editor concerning the Cape school board’s consideration of the Bible Literacy course as a possible addition to the curriculum as an elective. I am writing to clarify some points that have been mentioned.
First, there is concern about the legality of teaching the Bible and its importance in literature, the arts and in history, both national and international. The U. S. Supreme Court in the Abington School District vs. Schempp case (1963) did end the mandatory daily reading of the Bible in school, BUT they also wrote that “one’s enducation is not complete without a study of comparative religion or history of religion and it’s relationship to the advancement of civilization”. The Court went on to assert that “it certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for it’s literary and historic qualities”.
Secondly, the Bible Literacy Project was started in response to the concerns of many non-Biblically knowledgable parents who saw their children at a disadvantage because they did not have a general knowledge of the Bible, it’s characters and it’s events. Groups such as the National Education Association, the People for the American Way, The American Jewish Comittee, and the Council on Islamic Education among numerous other liberal groups have endorsed this course due to it’s benefits.
People who still have questions should go on the website, Bibleliteracy.org and get more information.
Kit Kennedy
Lewes
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