Under God

Teaching Religion (Still) OK in Okla.

A bill allowing public school teachers to do what they already are allowed to do -- discuss in the classroom the religious context of historical events and documents -- was approved Wednesday by the Oklahoma legislature.

"This allows students and teachers to study these things without fear of retribution or a lawsuit on the other side," state Sen. Clark Jolley, the bill's author, told the Tulsa World.

Jolley's colleague, state Sen. Johnny Crutchfield, a longtime teacher, noted the irony: "You can teach about religions right now. You can teach about historical documents right now. Everything Sen. Jolley wants to do, you can do already."

Class, can you spell pandering?

Jolley's bill amends a state law that allow public schools to display the national motto, "In God We Trust." The amendment says the law "shall not limit or restrain instruction in American or Oklahoma state history or heritage based on religious references" in historic documents, famous speeches, court rulings and the like.

The bill lists several documents by name, including the Mayflower Compact and the Pledge of Allegiance. It doesn't list the Bible or other sacred texts, even though -- and this might be a good history lesson for Jolley and his legislative classmates -- it could.

As the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1963, when it banned school-sponsored devotional readings of the Bible: "[I]t might well be said that one's education is not complete without a study of comparative religion or the history of religion and its relationship to the advancement of civilization. It certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities. Nothing we have said here indicates that such study of the Bible or of religion, when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education, may not be effected consistently with the First Amendment."

Jolley's class might also want to take a field trip to the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where public school teachers (and politicians) can learn the difference between teaching religion (unconstitutional) and teaching about religion (constitutional).

Guidelines include:

* The school's approach to religion is academic, not devotional.
* The school strives for student awareness of religions, but does not press for student acceptance of any one religion.
* The school sponsors study about religion, not the practice of religion.
* The school exposes students to a diversity of religious views; it does not impose any particular view.
* The school educates about all religions; it does not promote or denigrate any religion.
* The school informs students about various beliefs; it does not seek to conform students to any particular belief.

By the way, Sen. Jolley, there's no need to amend state law to include these guidelines. Teachers and lawyers already know this stuff. But you might want to post a copy in the Oklahoma House and Senate chambers.

Do you think religion-promoting legislators like Jolley are unaware of our First Amendment rights and responsibilities, are they trying to push their beliefs on the rest of us, or are they merely pandering for votes?

By

David Waters

 |  April 17, 2009; 1:48 PM ET  |  Category:  Today's Topic Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
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Please see U.S. Terrorists? Michael McVeigh & CO.,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing
Please also See Government commiting Terorism? at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koresh

Soo, OKLAHOMA & TEXAS et al, for 100 years+, constantly needs to Always Remind Remind Remind remind.. their "Public School" & "Private School" Students/Pupils & their PARENTs too, that

their own, competing curses or Sins derives from Human {not HUEMATE} hassling over a Name For their 'god(s) iNSTEAD of 'OUR' G-D/reality , which ironically, are are ALL "iMPORTED-RELIGION(s)" {Zero G-D made & Zero Made In America}, aka man-made SYSTEM(s. So Time to say:

"Goobye ALL, EVERY & ANY "NiCO{L}ATA{i}N(s) competing for a Name for their manmade as if god(s)history, iNSTEAD of O.U.R. G-D [innate] System. A Real History!

Goodbye MECCA! Imported Religion to AMERICA &
Goodbye JERUSALEM! Imported Religion here to &
Goodriddence TiBETian! Imported here &
GoodRiddence NEPAL, Imported Here &
Goodbye ARMiSTAR! Imported Here
Goodbye VATiCAN! Imported Here &
Goodbye CANTERBURRY! Imported Here &
Goodbye E.ORTHODOX's, Imported Here &
Goodbye HELLENiC's, Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Shamans?, Voodooists et al!

Instead; Sir/Mams, WELCOME on BOARD Holy-i-Cosmic, but NEBULA-BUiLT , Space-Ship Earth(s), of Many, OUR innate Miracle Motion!

Continued:

Posted by: INGOODFAITH | April 18, 2009 4:55 PM
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Continued:

TRiViA: Did Ye Knowth that to Us HUEMATe-i-ON's, not Human-i-OFF's, that WE [i] HUEMATE(s) Worship the UNIVERSE instead, and thus "IT" is being OUR genuine & only Holy-Cosmic-CONSTiTUTiON & the LAWS within & of "IT" (G-D, Almighty, Creator of Photons=LiFE/LOVE) via "IT"s own NATURE therein & from but For US, are O.U.R. [One Universal Religion] genuine Holy-i CLAUSEs?

Note: OUR man-made "U.S. CONSTITUTION" is a Miracle in 'iTSELF", but Not ANY of man made Bibles, Geetas, Qurans..!

WHEREFORE: In order, not only to KNOW & PREDiCT & CONTROL The Cosmic Song Scientifically, but rather, WE [i] YE Us must always Magnify, Make Honorable & Thus Uphold this 'O.U.R.' True (opposite of MYTH-illogical thinkings) via this Ho-Co-Fe-Fa System, a faith, like a Religion but based on TRUTH (opposite of MYTH).

Psssst: Note: Today is CALANDATE 'UYC' {Universal Year Circa} 4.7 Billion, April.18th.2009; AND

The 'Real END OF TiME's' will occur 2.5 to 3.5 Billion Years from Now! Especially, when we are inevitably destined to 'Merge' with OUR Sister Galaxy ANDROMEDA!

Hence, LiFE as OUR Photons awareness is LOVE. LOVE in Miracle/Motion & never is OUR Birth, except ye Births, a man-made Biblio(s) Sin or Curseth Story!

Goodbye: Chumash/Bibles..,
Goodbye: Geeta/Kangyurs..,
Goodbye: Qurans/Korans....!

AMAZiNG, No Grace ()

Posted by: INGOODFAITH | April 18, 2009 5:04 PM
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If the teaching of religious viewpoints is to be permitted, I am certainly hopeful that the Deism of the founding fathers, as well as Pantheism and Pandeism, will find a place in the curriculum.

Posted by: ArcosPlage | April 18, 2009 11:56 PM
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While it may be unconstitutional to teach certain religious doctrines in terms of conversions to a religious belief, but why is it, as the educational system is structured, that with the lacking of religious education in the public school systems of this country, it leads students away from religion or does little to teach the truth about religion? In reading many of the comments made by non-Christians as well as some of the writers of the "On Faith", section of Washington Post.com, most are extremely ignorant of the truths and true teachings of the Bible and of religion. Whether anyone likes it or not, the reasons for this ignorance is a lack of faith and belief in God, Christ and in not having the workings of the Holy Spirit within to know and understand the truths and realities of the truths of the Bible. Not just a lack of education on the subject. Someone needs to believe and have faith to know and understand the religious realities of the Bible. If children were taught religion without belief and faith you would get a country full of adults who are, in reality, truly ignorant about God and religion.

Let me ask you as well if the Bible is in fact and reality the true inspired word of God and that everything in it is true and real and that everyone either goes to Heaven or Hell when they die, then why would the First Amendment have any precedence over teaching religion (so as to say, Christianity) in public schools if it would save many people from eternal damnation? The Constitution would be meaningless in the face of the Bible. With all the ignorance about religion and Christ I see so much of, it would be only common sense to at least understand what someone is rejecting before rejecting it. However, this can't be done by simply teaching about religion. It needs to be believed to understand it. God made it that way.

Posted by: KingDavidRetired | April 19, 2009 2:01 AM
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As someone who teaches and coaches creative writing, the decline in the teaching of Graeco-Roman mythology ad Judeo-Christian literature since the early 1960's has led to a generation of readers virtually cutoff from their Western cultural heritage. One who reads the legends of Arthur, Roland, or Don Quixote, or tries to understand Eliot, Pound, Joyce, Lewis, Tolkien, or Waugh must know mythology and biblical writings to understand the complex metaphors operative in the works.

One can replicate these findings in the history of art, philosophy, or music. This has lead many academics to argue for the elimination of historical canons, replacing them with subjective choices. While this may please a very limited number of religious and cultural misfits, it has done nothing to hand on the rich cultural legacy to which our children are heirs.

Posted by: arosscpa | April 19, 2009 11:08 AM
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"Let me ask you as well if the Bible is in fact and reality the true inspired word of God and that everything in it is true and real and that everyone either goes to Heaven or Hell when they die, then why would the First Amendment have any precedence over teaching religion (so as to say, Christianity) in public schools if it would save many people from eternal damnation? "

---------------------------------------
KingDavidRetired,

Fortunately, the first amendment would still be in effect no matter how many gods are claimed to exist. The problem is the stories (and gods) in the Bible are just stories (myths). You have every right to believe they are "true", whatever that means to you but just because you believe it, doesn't make it "true" for anybody other than you and the first amendment would still apply.

Seems to me believers would have the most to lose by teaching about religion in public schools because doing so would expose their kids to the primary objective truth about religions (that they are all based on myths) and would threaten the little kiddies' religious indoctrination by demoting their beliefs from undisputed fact to simply one of thousands of comparable archaic religious myths.

Posted by: Freestinker | April 20, 2009 12:51 PM
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Freestinker - should teaching of the history of Ancient Egypt, or Greek or Roman history also be banned? There's just as much evidence that the stories in the bible are true as there is that Cleopatra, Julius Caeser, et al existed.


In fact, there's more conclusive evidence that the Israelites were slaves in Egypt and left than there is that global warming is real.

There's more evidence that the flood referenced to in the Noah's ark story than there is that melting ice caps will cause flooding which will destroy coastal cities.

Why is it that you do not complain about non-religious myths being taught, when there is far less proof of those myths?

It is impossible to teach history without teaching about religion. The possible solutions are
#1 Teach revisionist history
#2 Not teach history at all
#3 Teach history, including religion's role in history

Posted by: GabrielRockman | April 20, 2009 2:31 PM
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"Freestinker - should teaching of the history of Ancient Egypt, or Greek or Roman history also be banned? There's just as much evidence that the stories in the bible are true as there is that Cleopatra, Julius Caeser, et al existed."

---------------------------------

GabrielRockman,

They should all be taught (and are taught) for what they are, myths! I know a local public school teacher who teaches a class about all of the great myths (and gods), including those found in the Bible. The students are often suprised to learn that Christianity is just one of the many different myths exist across the world. So public schools can and do teach about religious mythology. What they cannot do is preach, proselytise or endorse any one religious opinion over another and this prohibition benefits all equally. The important distinction here is teaching "about" religion (as myth) vs. preaching a particular religion (as fact). So I would generally support your option #3) as long as the teachers don't turn into preachers.

Posted by: Freestinker | April 20, 2009 4:04 PM
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King David Ret says:

Let me ask you as well if the Bible is in fact and reality the true inspired word of God and that everything in it is true and real and that everyone either goes to Heaven or Hell when they die, then why would the First Amendment have any precedence over teaching religion (so as to say, Christianity) in public schools if it would save many people from eternal damnation? The Constitution would be meaningless in the face of the Bible. With all the ignorance about religion and Christ I see so much of, it would be only common sense to at least understand what someone is rejecting before rejecting it. However, this can't be done by simply teaching about religion. It needs to be believed to understand it. God made it that way.

I agree...but in our society, teaching this is the responsibility of parents, clergy, and religious communities. NOT the public schools. You (and I) are welcome to be as active in our communities as we want in evangelizing...but our schools may not prefer one to the other...and teaching from a faith perspective IS preferring one to another. How do you know that the preference of every teacher is the same as yours? You don't. And that is why we have a separation between public school and religious (from a particular faith perspective) is not allowed in the schools.

Posted by: CalSailor | April 20, 2009 8:30 PM
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Mr. WATERS & NEWS CORP. & CO.,

As Warned Ye so many times on this blogg, that YE are going to have a 'Class Action?' Law Suit sooner than expected against Your Company's & Suing Ye Personally Mr. Waters et al {of Hair Spray?}!

Wow, Ye are so desperate & lost & need to find a new Philosophy {NEW Song] that ye resort to Plageriziation & Internet Censorship & blockings of other peoples 'Intellectual Property Rights' or Original works, Regardess of Ye Bogus self serving 'Rules'. Such Low Lifes. Includes Good Morning America {CH. 7; NYC} et al

Wow! So soo JEALOUS! WE [i] am lovin it!

SEE YE all in Court soon!

Thanks for making us potentialy Rich, Mr. Rupert Murdoc et al!

Posted by: INGOODFAITH | April 21, 2009 7:54 AM
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Mr. WATERS & CO.; Why does'ny Mr. LEiTH ANDERSON & his CO., and other "Moderator's" allow {Block Deliberateley?} "INGOODFAITH" posts by Devilishly displaying , after pressing "SUBMIT"; " ...
--

Thank you for commenting.

Your comment has been received and held for approval by the blog owner.

Return to the original entry."

--

Note: ALL Words Comply no bad language? So, WHY WAPO WHY!?????

Posted by: INGOODFAITH | April 21, 2009 8:05 AM
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Letter to : L E i T H -- A N D E R S O N & CO.;

--- Part 1 of 2.

Dear Mr. Anderson & CO.;

QUESTION: Did not the “FLOODS” of MINNESOTA send Ye Evilgjelousicals & CO., a Message?

GOOD NEWS! {Not in 'Greek' not in 'England' but spakething in "AMERiCAN" only}; In 11 Years time, in Holy-i NEBULA-MADE Temperature THAT;

According to our AMERICAN-MADE, not YE imported "JEALOUSY" Un-Religion system(s), of the 'O.ne U.niversal R.eligion' [OUR] "HOLY-i COSMiC FEELER(s) FAiTH" [Ho-Co-Fe-Fa] System, a Belief like a Religion, but based on TRUTH (opposite MYTH) will predict for "2020" Prophecy THAT;

When Contemplating/Considering, not DENYiNG, "The-Last-100-Years" starting 1919 through 2019 that Hindsightly, aka as OUR HISTOTY, the 'TRUE' Jury writes on OUR Cosmic-Wall , not YE walls, THAT;

Post WORLD WAR-1 (Ended 1919) with the 'Diesel-Engine Invention-Starved 2nd Reich et al & when the Smoke Settled it was estimated? +/- 50, 000, 000 Systematically Murdered/Killed in Vain!!? AND; Remember & Never Forget Sir's, Mam's et al; Post WORLD-WAR-2 (Ended 1948?) Displacing, Diasporas separating so so many via a Tsunami Population-shifts!? AND;

Through Today [2009] until [2019] or 10 Years scores, That ISRAEL & PALISTINE will be Calm! Separate Nations; 1-SECULAR Israel & the other [SHARIA] Palestine. AND;

Sweet Sweet AMERICA will Have CUBA reciprocalally understandings once again & it's Ally, Russia, will once again be told to 'Take It on a Hike via an ‘improved MONROE DOCTRINE‘. AND;

MEXICO might consider UNITiNG with U.S.A. 50 States , thus possibly Creating an Additional 15 States (65+) & Inevitably , All the Way To PANAMA ,; Where SEN. John McCain was borneth, not HAWAii Where PREZ. O.H. OBAMA is today! AND; continued to 2 of 2.

Posted by: INGOODFAITH | April 21, 2009 8:08 AM
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part 2 of 2.

AND;

THAT; In Fact; After 2019; Starting 2020 that, WE [i] Us, of the 'Ho-Co-Fe-Fa' believers via the O.U.R. "ULTRA-PARA-TESTAMENT" Book of the NEW-SONG, comething Prophetically via ALL Ye 3-Major Infixus-BOOKS: Chumash/Bible, Geeta,/Kangyur, Quran/Koran...

PROMISES US,[i]WE aka "JO{K}TAN"ians, unlike YE PELEGians of Pre-2020} that OUR "ULTRA-PARA-TESTAMENT" Of the NEW Song, borneth from All YE (Not OUR) OLD Songs) will Be Plantewd on the MOON & the MARS et al planets etc.. way& Way out Deep Deep Deep.... HOLY-i Cosmic NEBULA-BUILT Space via OUR Holy-i Cosmic built & miraculous Space-SHIP EARTHs, of Many (not via Ye BIBLICAL space & time)!

Yes! OUR (not YE) Prez's Mr. John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Lindon B. Johnson, Agnu, Richard M. Nixon... et al GREATS [pbu them et al] AND; Living Prez's. Mr. Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr., Bill Clinton, George W. Bush & Prez Borak Obama now & ?????? ... Are All Mentioned in the "OUR" [O.ne U.niversal R.eligion], noy YE, BOOK! Not Ye Chumash/Bibles, Not Ye Geeta/Kangyurs, not YE Quran/Korans..! An Apocalypse of Minds & in Them Righteously no more Wrongly! END! Then;

HALLALUYA!

Praise The HOLY-i-NO-MAN/WOMB! O' "IT" [G-D by 1000 names & no more by 99 names]! A Prophecy in Holy-i Motion whose TIME {TEMPerature] is cometh via Man-made time {Clock moves]!

"Behold! The “ULTRA-PARA-TESTAMENT” of OUR “NEW-SONG” Borneth from All ’O.U.R.’ “OLD-SONGS“, as promised, not Landa!

Posted by: INGOODFAITH | April 21, 2009 8:09 AM
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Will someone at the Post please delete the idiot ramblings that make no pretense of being on topic?

Posted by: homesower | April 28, 2009 6:03 PM
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