A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis

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A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

4. As a part of a public high school curriculum, a Hebrew Bible course should encourage acceptance of the Bible as a religious document. 5. Teachers may quote the views of others, such as the Founding Fathers, even when they are reverential toward a religious text if the words connect to the lesson. 6. A secular educational program may not include religious studies. 7. The term "secular" means the same as "religious." 8. Academic programs that "teach about religion” instruct students on the role of religion in the historical, cultural, literary, and social development of the United States and other nations. 9. In public schools, classes about religion should instill understanding, tolerance, and respect for a pluralistic society. 10. When discussing religion in an objective context, religious instruction is neutral, balanced, and shared factually. 11. In public education, religious classes should educate students about the principle of religious liberty as one of the fundamental elements of freedom and democracy in the United States. 12. Religious indoctrination is acceptable in public school settings if the administration supports the practice. 13. Legally, a public-school curriculum may not be devotional or doctrinal. 14. A teacher in public education must not promote nor denigrate any religion, or lack of religious belief. 15. In religious discussions, a public-school teacher may interject personal views or advocate the religious beliefs of certain students, while dismissing the beliefs of others. 16. Teachers in public education must be extremely sensitive to respect a student's religious beliefs and practices. 17. Teachers cannot encourage public-school students to conform to specific religious beliefs or practices. 18. In public education, a Bible literature course is the same as teaching religious doctrine to students. 19. The lessons in a public school's Bible literature class must not be secular, or religiously neutral. 20. Public schools may teach secular values, such as honesty, courage, kindness, respect for human dignity, and good citizenship across the curriculum. 21. Public school officials may instill in students such values as independent thought, tolerance of diverse views, self-respect, maturity, self-reliance, and logical decision-making in biblical literacy classes. 22. In biblical literacy education, no student should feel that his or her personal religious beliefs or practices are questionable, violated, or compromised. 23. In public education, a student should never feel ostracized because of his or her religious beliefs. 24. Class discussions in public education should include minority as well as majority religions. 25. Public-school students should have opportunities to explain their religious or cultural traditions. 26. Public school teachers should be able to discuss religion without personal biases. 27. “Teaching religion” and “teaching about religion” are different in meaning.

Academic Initiatives for Biblical Literacy in Secondary Education

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