The Bible should be taught in school

Of course the Bible should be taught in public schools. After all, all the other philosophical works on which much of our current though is based are taught. Why shouldn't the Bible be taught along with Aristotle and Plato, Homer and Virgil?

Many people look at this question, and immediately think of the Bible as religion rather than as literature. It does not have to be viewed that way, though. Teaching the Bible does not go against the principle of separation of church and state, unless the Bible is taught as doctrine rather than as literature. However, because the Bible permeates all areas of society so much, it would be a good idea for kids to have a good background in what it says. Also, it seems like the Bible would be the place to start in any well-rounded classics or world literature class. After all, most classic literature contains huge amounts of biblical references and allusions, and without knowledge of the Biblical text, people won't understand much of later literature.

As long as the Bible is presented the same way as Homer or Shakespeare, we shouldn't have to worry about our kids coming home from school indoctrinated. The Bible is an interesting piece of literature, and it is important for kids to have a good grasp of it so they can think critically about its place in our society, and so they can refute anyone who tries to use the Bible as a basis for hatred or bigotry.

Public schools offer classes on Greek and Roman mythology. Why? Because those myths permeate our culture. Students should understand the many allusions to ancient myths in everyday American life, from the planet Jupiter to Midas mechanics. Why should we "Trust the Midas Touch"? Because everything King Midas touched turned to gold. "Oh yeah. Yeah, I get it."

Yet, kids don't understand why Faulkner would name his book Absalom, Absalom. Who in the world was Absalom? They don't have a clue. And maybe... neither do you. Too many young people are just not being taught about the greatest book in literature - a book that has influenced several religions and countless generations. America is so skittish about maintaining a separation between Church and State, [it has] neglected its children's education .(Lugg,169)

This chasm of biblical ignorance has grown mighty obvious, and many public schools are now working to offer Biblical literacy classes as electives. They are permitted to do so constitutionally as long as they neither promote nor attack the religious elements of the Bible.

Here in Jackson, Mississippi, one local state-funded community college offers an A.A. in Philosophy and Bible instead of Philosophy and Religion. Why? Because, well, there are only three religion classes--World Religions, Old Testament, and New Testament--and one 3-hour course does not a concentration make. So it makes more sense to call it a Bible degree than a religion degree.

The kicker is how to cover the Bible. As someone who has written both a guide to the Bible ...