An Oklahoma school district scuttled plans to offer an elective religion course developed by the head of the Hobby Lobby retail chain.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) said on its website on Tuesday that the Mustang Public Schools district canceled the course, “The Book: The Bible’s History, Narrative and Impact.”
“The topic of a Bible course in the Mustang School District is no longer a discussion item nor is there a plan to provide such a course in the foreseeable future,” superintendent Sean McDaniel was quoted as saying.
The district’s decision came after the foundation made a second open-records request in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United.
Hobby Lobby allegedly did not provide the district with “legal coverage” for offering the course, nor did it allow the district to review the final curriculum beforehand.
Though I am very glad that this course will not be offered in Oklahoma public schools, I am still more than a little concerned that it might have been offered at all.
If students wish to learn about Christianity there are these almost impossible to miss buildings called "churches" where that information is readily available.
I also understand that there might be some kind of a handbook available that explains it as well.
I wonder if the people who decided to introduce this class had even considered that doing so would open the schools up to challenges from OTHER religious groups demanding equal time?
Could you imagine a class schedule that offered "Islam 101?" Or "Buddhism for Beginners?" Or "An Introduction to Scientology," with guest instructor Tom Cruise?
No I think the Oklahoma public school district really dodged a bullet with this one. And the students certainly did.
"nor did it allow the district to review the final curriculum beforehand"
ReplyDeleteThat's the scariest part of this whole scary story. When curricula are developed in any academic subject, they are put through a process of repeated review and revision. Exactly WHAT is in this curriculum that makes Hobby Lobby so afraid to allow the district to review it ahead of time? And why is the head of a freaking CRAFT store developing any kind of curriculum in the first place?
If they really wanted to offer a class on the historical significance of the Bible, there are plenty of them already available that have been developed by people who are actually qualified to create them and that have been through the review/revision process.
First, Hobby Lobby wants to control health care for their employees and now they want to create a Bible curriculum for the public school system? Please stick to selling craft supplies and we'll all be much happier!
The problem with any class in the bible or christianity in the public schools--- even when it's "history of christianity" or "the bible as literature"- there are going to be people angry that it's not taught the way they want it taught, and people angry that it is being taught at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry so many christians are incapable of teaching their children about their faith, but I don't see where my kids have to suffer for their incompetence. They should take a parenting class.
The point isn't that they can't teach their children about their own faith, it's that they want to teach YOUR children about their faith too. They're out for converts.
DeleteVery OT: Peter Ferrero - alleged Palin daughters' stalker
ReplyDeleteThis is supposed to be happening today.
11/28/2014 09:30 AM Courtroom 6, Palmer Courthouse Pre-Trial Conference: Superior Court Criminal
12/02/2014 09:00 AM Courtroom 6, Palmer Courthouse
Trial Call: Superior Court Criminal
The defendant filed a motion to dismiss and replied to the prosecutor's opposition on 11/24/2014. For some reason the Motion to Dismiss was 'Filed Under Seal' which keeps it off the public record.
http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/eservices/?x=jXrS190DF4BZFyFaCTf6D*UWe9Z2h3Md0NCFPIJEVRDxNAjoZRhlEG4UckFks0t7CKTSZbespUH6fR8RvY4LLA
Why the secrecy?
Wasn't Peter Ferrero arrested the day after The Drunken Brawl where APD records show what a whining liar the slut Bristol is? Peter was probably at Bristle's house for an audition and she was so hung-over she forgot about it. Now, the less the public 'remembers' about that night and Tripp being there, the better off, the lawyer probably advised.
DeleteIt's wonderful that more organizations are being formed to protect people from the tyranny of the superstitious majority and that they have the courage to speak out. More power to them!
ReplyDeleteI am happily and proudly Christian, but cannot understand the fundamentalist mindset that says cram the religion down any way you can. I think it has more to do with them than the objects of their zeal. Living by example and showing mercy seem not to be part of their playbook.
ReplyDeleteSince we live in a tolerant society where all points of view are valued, certainly the Hobby Lobby folk wouldn't mind Hinduism for Heathens, Islam 101, Buddhism for Beginners, Agnosticism for Atheists or Atheism for Agnostics.
Good story. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHobby Lobby has not made a sale from this crafty ol' broad for quite sometime.
ReplyDeleteRJ in BBistan
I have a very strong feeling that their idea of the "history and impact" of the Bible is a lot rosier than my version. Kudos to any and all school districts that tell them "No."
ReplyDelete