Georgia OKs Bible Classes, Commandments

[Heath]

ATLANTA - Georgia became what is believed to be the first state to offer government-sanctioned elective classes on the Bible, with Gov. Sonny Perdue signing a bill into law Thursday.

The governor also signed a bill permitting the display of the Ten Commandments at courthouses, an issue that has raised thorny constitutional questions.

Critics say the measures blur the line between church and state. National civil rights groups said they want to see how the laws are implemented before deciding whether to challenge them in court.

The Bible is already incorporated into classes in Georgia and other states, and some local school districts have passed measures permitting classes devoted solely to the Bible. But education analysts say the law in Georgia is the first time a state government has endorsed such courses.

The new law allows elective classes on the Bible to be taught to high school students. Local school systems will decide whether to teach the courses.

The state Education Department has until February to craft curriculums. The law requires that the courses be taught "in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students."

The state's new Ten Commandments law was prompted by controversy over the posting of the commandments at the Barrow County Courthouse. A federal judge ordered the display removed in July.

Backers of the law made clear they were trying to craft a statute that would survive any constitutional challenges.

In a split decision last June, the U.S. Supreme Court declared exhibits of the Ten Commandments constitutional if their main purpose was to honor the nation's legal, rather than religious, traditions, and if they didn't promote one religious sect over another.

Both bills passed the state Legislature by comfortable margins.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060420/ap_on_re_us/bible_bills

 

[netrox]

That is a clear violation of the U.S. Consitution.

I hope the state gets sued.

 

[Heath]

That is a clear violation of the U.S. Consitution.

I hope the state gets sued.

So you are one of a thousands another anti-christ spirits mentioned in the KJV Holy Bible in these End Times.

 

[MorriganTait]

Heath, you can't call me anti-Chrisitan, but I don't think displays of ANY scripture, including the 10 Commandments, is appropriate in a public court of law. When Church and State begin to mix, we see that the State starts to intrude on the free practice of religion.

You may not see it as much of a problem if your church, your religious views, your denomination were to be promoted by the Government, and everyone had to go along with it, but the truth is, Catholicism is the most widely practiced form of Christianity worldwide, and if it came down to a poularity contest, I don't think you'd much care for your (future) children being forced to pray the rosary in school, etc. You need to think about it logically. YOU probably don't want MY views forced on you and your (future) children, so please respect that others don't want YOUR views forced on them either.

If we are a nation that values freedom, we ought to remember that freedom should extend to all - not just freedom for people who agree with our particular religious views.

...and for the record, I am ordained, and am a member of the United Church of Christ...before you start calling me anti-Christian.

 

[deafdyke]

Right on Morrigan!
Government needs to be NEUTRAL towards religion. Why is it that Bible classes and prayer in public schools is applauded, but if kids learn about the Book of Shadows or the sacred writings of the Budda or whatever, all hell breaks loose?

 

[Heath]

Tell me how " Thou shalt not kill " and a murder suspect in court is a clear violation of the U.S. Consitution when hanging the 10 Commandments in the courtroom which is the basic foundation of all human behavior that God commanded over all mankind, even those who are non-believers know better than to commit murder.

 

[MorriganTait]

Tell me how " Thou shalt not kill " and a murder suspect in court is a clear violation of the U.S. Consitution when hanging the 10 Commandments in the courtroom which is the basic foundation of all human behavior that God commanded over all mankind, even those who are non-believers know better than to commit murder.

But they are relgious scripture belonging to only TWO current religions. Do you NOT get that?

Bill of Rights
Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Do you want the doctrines of the Church of Scientology cast in bronze and posted in the court houses? They have some OK doctrines you probably wouldn't even disagree with in part, but the deal is, it's not the business of the State to say who's religion is better or worse. If they post the 10 Commandments, they are endorsing a very specific religious view. I want my Government to remain neutral.

If you want to live in a country where the Government promotes a religious viewpoint, try Iran.

 

[hottiedeafboi]

No its not unconstitutions. Bec there is about church and the state, but haven't signed the bill yet. But about separation church and state is, the church need to be protecting from the govrnmnt control the church, bec gvrnmnt respect the church bec its belong to God, which is we built the church for worship. All thru the history of our forefathers have quoted many bible verses plus their faith in Christ and their heart of God, Wahington wrote, the country without the Bible, the nation will fall. Abraham Lincoln, the nation will not survive without the Word of God, which is the Bible. And there's so much more, till the industrial generation it begin to change, till 1962 prayer in school stop, all those times u begin to see this nation begin to fall, nec following human point of views and rebel against God.. Thru the time line little by little there more of removal, school now in days are lot worse than it was in 1950s. But, prayers and Bible can be taught for those who are christians, but those who isn't are welcome.

 

[netrox]

Tell me how " Thou shalt not kill " and a murder suspect in court is a clear violation of the U.S. Consitution when hanging the 10 Commandments in the courtroom which is the basic foundation of all human behavior that God commanded over all mankind, even those who are non-believers know better than to commit murder.

Gee, you totally forgot other commandments, aren't you? It said:

Do not worship any other gods.
Do not make any idols.
Do not use God in vain.
Observe Sabbath.

Those are clearly RELIGIOUS commandments that demand you worshop the Bible God and nothing else and that you observe Sabbath. Not everyone worships your God or observe Sabbath.

It's a joke that you called me an Anti-Christ because that's FAR from the truth. I never condemned Jesus or spoke ill of him.

 

[Dennis S.]

Why is there no high school elective course on the Old Testament and the study of Judaism? Why is there no elective on the Koran and the study of the Islam?

The only reason this law is being passed is purely to get more "Christian" voters happy and voting for the party that is passing this into law. "Yippie, look, Mr. Senator passed this law fer Christ-men like me. My pastor says to vote for him. Shure thang!"

The bill endorses one religion over another (it is endorsing the study of one religion, but not of all religions) and I guarantee you someone will leverage the course to include some portion of indoctrination or encouragement to students to become Christians. This law ought to be challenged and struck down.

Encourage the study of all religions, not some, and this law will be fine. Restricting it to Christianity for the purpose of "studying the legal and historical aspect of it in U.S. history" is a false cover.

 

[Reba]

Why is there no high school elective course on the Old Testament and the study of Judaism?

The article said, "The new law allows elective classes on the Bible to be taught to high school students." the Bible includes the Old Testament.

The article didn't say that the classes would teach Christianity, so there is no reason to teach Judaism.

The classes are "elective" so no one is required to take them.

 

[Dennis S.]

It doesn't matter that they're "not required" but they are funded by tax dollars and show that the state explicitly supports Christianity vs. a secular or an all-religions curriculum. This is clearly an attempt at an end-run around the Constitution of the United States by picking one religion to be taught instead of all of them.

The Bible courses will probably not be teaching the differences between Judiasm and Christianity beyond, "Jews don't believe in Jesus." Most teachers who will be teaching this "elective" course probably won't even know how to explain the difference between Islam and Christianity.

The bottom line is, when people take these classes, you'll be left with a bunch of young kids who are told that the Bible is the Word of God and sinners go to Hell and think that's the only view in the world with no alternative viewpoints. That's exactly what Christians want.

I grew up thinking it was God or Hell, until I learned that I can literally believe whatever I want and choose to believe whatever I want, whether it's God or Yaweh or Allah or anything else my mind chooses.

 

[Reba]

The Bible courses will probably not be teaching the differences between Judiasm and Christianity beyond, "Jews don't believe in Jesus." Most teachers who will be teaching this "elective" course probably won't even know how to explain the difference between Islam and Christianity.

I really don't know that. I haven't seen the curriculum or course description. Have you, or do you have a link?

 

[Teresh]

So you are one of a thousands another anti-christ spirits mentioned in the KJV Holy Bible in these End Times.

Why is this even relevant? The Constitution is very clear about freedom of religion. If you have a problem with the Constitution, why are you even living here? If you have a problem with the Constitution, get the hell out of America. Go find a country that doesn't have freedom of religion, like Saudi Arabia or Iran. I'm sure they would welcome you with open arms.

 

[hottiedeafboi]

In the history, followers of Christ start in Israel and begin spread and persecutions and executions are after the christians, as christians moved further west, then north, many been persecuted and executed, then the nations in europe begin open minded and so strong bad influental causing christians frustrating, and then flee from catholics who execting christians and the power been oppress and so then found america and all the forefathers and senators are devout christians and establish freedom for worship the Lord Jesus Christ, and now all intereligion catch up with us and many using freedom in wrong meaning. Freedom isn't meant anything you want, bec freedom is very costly. Till starting industrial generation, its becoming more humanist and as of notice, American freedom deteriorating, and violating what our forefather establish. Gvnmt can't control religion, bec, if gvrnmnt based under religion will have a strong leaders, without religion as our forefather said, the nation will fall. Forefathers point the finger to Christ Jesus, who is lifted up which this nation stand. "Onward christians soldiers, marching into, with the Cross of Jesus, going on before, Christ the Royal Master, lead against the foes, onward into battle, see His banner go!"

 

[MorriganTait]

flee from catholics

Who had to flee from Catholics? The "Pilgrims" fled from the Church of England - which was the "official" church of the English empire, and itself had been created in opposition to Catholicism. If anything speaks to the need for separation of church and state, this would be it. And you talk like Catholics aren't Christians.

all the forefathers and senators are devout christians and establish freedom for worship the Lord Jesus Christ

Some of the "Forefathers" were atheist, and there have also been Jews living in the New World since the time of Columbus.

freedom is very costly

I agree, freedom is costly - which is why it is important for us to protect it by protecting those rights recognized in our Constitution, the free practice of religion being one of them. Our Constutution tells us the state ought not favor one relgion over another, ever, for any reason.

gvrnmnt based under religion will have a strong leaders

Strength and character are not the exclusive domain of the religious. There are peiple of high morals and stong character to be found in all walks of life, all religions, and in those who practice no religion.

without religion as our forefather said, the nation will fall.

Please find me which "Forefather" ever uttered such a thing.

 

[VamPyroX]

So you are one of a thousands another anti-christ spirits mentioned in the KJV Holy Bible in these End Times.

He isn't being anti-Christian. He's being realistic. You can't bend the rules when the law says that the government and the church are separate.

 

[Teresh]

and now all intereligion catch up with us and many using freedom in wrong meaning.

Wrong. You just don't understand the idea of freedom. You believe in controls, restrictions. You believe in authoritarianism. You believe in theocracy. All of these things are counter to the idea of freedom. You are not a patriot, in fact, you are everything this country was formed to oppose, the epitome of evil in the eyes of the American revolutionaries.

Freedom isn't meant anything you want, bec freedom is very costly.

Our forefathers spilled their blood in the name of freedom, in the hope that their children and children's children will have a nation in which they can live and be free from persecution. You disagree with this struggle in the name of freedom. You are against freedom and against democracy.

Gvnmt can't control religion, bec, if gvrnmnt based under religion will have a strong leaders

The Inquisition. The Slave Trade. The Holocaust. All things that have resulted from religiously-motivated leaders. Being a strong leader doesn't make you a good leader or a moral individual. Was Gandhi a strong leader? Oh, of course not, he's not a Christian.

 

[deafdyke]

hottiedeafboy, reba, and Heath.....none of us are demonizing Christianity per se.....we just believe that the government should be NEUTRAL towards religion. Why is that so damn hard to understand? Neutrality is best, so that nobody feels left out or slighted.

 

[hottiedeafboi]

Morrigan, u r right, its a church of england, not catholic. Duh. Hehehehe oopsy boopsy. And teresh, I m getting what u mean, but u missing the point what I'm saying. And that christian faith I'm in, I'm not in the category of so called arm twisting to make them believe. That's not what God says and also, if u watch how Jesus does, that's how christians should be doing. I have met some christians very pressuring which I don't agree, that's prevent God's work in the person's life. Christians responsible is to be the salt and the light. There are many beautiful testimonies of the lives who have been changed and how God has done in their lives. Pocohontas is one of them. Don't know who, couldn't remember, somewhere in here said, how christians should leave the indians be and other religions. It isn't the person, it is God that called them to do. It isn't forcible either, but let the Spirit lead them to do. Rev. Whitehead been called by God to share the Gospel to the Indians near his area, but he refuse, he hated indians bec what indians has done. But God persist him, so he gave up and go and share the gospel. You guess it, numerous of indians receive Christ in their lives. Is Rev. Whitehead happy? No, bec he's been hurting bec lot of his love ones was killed by indians. See, this is what this all about. It is good if different religions comes, but yes, time will comes, when if it geeting more more "nuetral" taking over, and gospels end, that is becomes entangled with nuetrals, it will be the time judgements will comes. There are confusion about how nuetrals see the wrong idea what christians repsonsibilities what God called them to do. Its like a firemen have to go to save people lives from the burning house, Jesus desires for all people to come Home with Him, but many refuse, its bec many look at as call its just a religions. Freedom does cost to fight for rights. As of todays is far worse than it was 100 yrs ago and even 50 yrs ago, more people going to court now in days far more than what it was several yrs ago, and more and more lawyers are growing and starting have more more different kinds, why? Bec there is no love thy neighbors anymore, and not only that, where I was raised, the some couples are christians, but very very condemning type and some even children been abuse by christians parents which what parents did is wrong, bec the bible said parents, don't be so hard on childrens, if u do, that will lead ur children rebel. Christians responsiblilities is share the gospel with love with Christ example and leave it to God to work in them. Not mean u share then dump them, hehehehe, no. Even tho I have many friends who are not christians, God gives the timing and yes, many seeing I'm not like most christians they knew, but differently. Not being neutral, but right judgement how to live a life to set examples. This is not just religions, its part of life what God is doing, this is the land has final opportunity for lead people to Christ. And that's how gospel spread little by lttile thruout the world. But as God sees still not many is coming home. Bec only 0ne fourth in the world are christians, as Jesus said many are going the wide road and the end comes destructions. How Jesus felt and how the Father felt? Agony. Many may ask, then why don't God do something? The answer is He did. Look around you, that's why we are here. That is part of the freedom also, is leave u a choice. Jesus gave us freedom, which cost Him His crucifision to pay our sin debt in full, He suffered severely than anyone on this face of the earth, its not crucifixion itself, its felt rejected by His own Father while on the cross by saying, :ather, Father, why have you forsaken me? Do you know why that happen? Bec yours and my sins is in Him causing the Father turn His back on His own Son, bec Father is too Holy and our sins in Jesus, but that's not the end, He conquered the power of sin and death and our sins been paid off as He rose from the dead on the 3rd day. Here's the beautiful part, ANYONE who call upon me, I will NOT turn my back from you. That's the whole message. There is no other religion like this. Others try to live up, which is impossible, bec sin remains. That's what the Father is giving you all a free gift, which we never understand and His love that noone ever sees. That's the message of the gospel, which also called Good News. There is no force in it. Who gives u death threat? Sin. Its like Satan is a prosecutor, Jesus is ur defense lawyer. Simple, u been covered by the Blood of the Lamb, or trying the other way to defend urself and not needed christ? Smile. Not sure how u sees it, hoping u see it as really is a loving message.