America's second-largest state will allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools under an "optional new curriculum." The measure was approved by the Republican-controlled board of education in Texas by an 8-7 final vote, in spite of criticism that the lessons would "proselytize to young learners and alienate students of [non-Christian] faiths," while supporters argue that the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich lessons.
Both of those things can be true, but here's the question: Is it a good idea?
In our opinion, the answer is probably not.
State religions (also called "official religions") are religions or creeds that are officially endorsed by a sovereign state. They have been known throughout human existence in almost all cultures going back to Ancient Mesopotamia.
Church and state have been intimately linked since the rise of Babylon and the worship of Marduk.
King Nebuchadnezzar II set up a golden image and commanded all his officials to bow before it -- or be thrown into a blazing furnace.
Many of us played youth sports and went through the motion of saying the Lord's Prayer as a team, but not really understanding the context of what we were saying. Porn actors wear crucifixes onscreen and the guy that robbed you at the ATM was most likely tatted with a bibilical verse.
Bibles, prayer, etc. in school is just another form of virtue signalling.
What’s important is that the Word of God be in our hearts, homes and houses of worship. If we as Christians could accomplish that, then state-sponsored religion wouldn’t be necessary.
In chapter 5 of the book of Galatians, we are instructed to "walk by the Spirit" so we do not "gratify the desires of the flesh" which are "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings" and other such acts one would find being committed on a daily basis by the students and faculty at most American schools.
There's definitely a problem in our schools, whether it be drugs or teachers having sex with undrage students, and we agree that Christian revival is the key to making America great again, but we do not think the public school system is a proper forum for biblical instruction. Most of them have a hard enough time teaching basic reading and arithmetic.
Churches and private Christian schools are much better-suited for this task.
Sunday was designed a day of rest and reflection on the goodnes of God, which by faith leads man to repentance.
We put our faith in action the other six days of the week -- at work, at play and at school. Every day presents the believer with an opportunity to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
This is what our young people (and teachers) need to be taught at home/church, so they can bring those attributes with them to school, and apply them when they interact with each other.
Source: Associated Press
Related: BLACK CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM: A Conservative BLM?
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