Reading, writing, religion

Back in June the Texas State Board of Education approved a new list of required reading for public schools and, as Adam Kirsch points out in The Atlantic, the most controversial inclusion was not a new book, but a very old one — the Bible.

Yes, going hand in hand with a requirement to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, Texas schools will also be required to teach children stories from the Bible.

One of the main arguments in favour of including passages from the Bible in educational curriculum seems to be that many of these stories are considered a foundational part of Western culture and history. There is certainly some truth to this. Many parts of the Bible have become a part of our everyday lives in some way, shape, or form.

For example, if one is unfamiliar with the Exodus narrative, in which Moses leads the enslaved Hebrews out of Egypt, then the fact that Harriet Tubman was given the nickname ‘Moses’ for her efforts to liberate enslaved African Americans through the Underground Railroad makes no sense.

Of course, many are in favour of this decision for reasons far less utilitarian. Some see it as a way to reinforce their religious values, attempting to elevate specifically Christian values. Some see it as a way to reinforce political values, further aligning the Republican Party with white evangelical Christians and the Christian right. Either position serves to solidify the notion that the United States was founded as a ‘Christian nation.’

At the same time, this decision, which was made by a Republican-controlled board, has been deemed by many to be inappropriate, divisive and infringing on the First Amendment, which states that there should be “no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The point of such an amendment, as mentioned in an 1802 letter written by Thomas Jefferson, is to build “a wall of separation between Church & State.”

Clearly this long-held concept, which is the backbone of religious freedom in America, is on shaky ground.

Beyond the fact that I would never want to see Canadian’s freedom of conscience and religion, as outlined in Section 2(a) of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms be placed on such shaky ground, I offer two further reasons why my initial reaction to this news was skepticism.

First, as someone whose vocation involves studying the Bible on a regular basis, I am continually reminded of the complexities involved in reading an ancient text.

I know first hand the challenges that arise when attempting to determine context, authors’ intent, translation choices, and cultural nuances, etc. I can only imagine how difficult it will be for these stories to be taught by teachers who are far from being considered theologians or biblical scholars. When the Bible is taught poorly, children will be more confused than educated.

Second, as a parent of three children, I have had to navigate how and when to share difficult Bible stories with my children. This dilemma came to mind when The Texas Tribune reported that “The new curriculum would have students as young as six interact with biblical stories titled Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath and Daniel and the Lion’s Den in their English classes.”

I’m continually shocked at how hard many parents work to protect their children from violent and inappropriate books, movies, and video games, but then sit down and read them stories that depict the drowning of humans en masse, a violent wartime murder and a king who keeps a den of hungry lions at the ready. Just because a story is in the Bible doesn’t mean it is appropriate for children or that they will be able to grasp its meaning.

I am all for people learning about the Bible. I love wrestling with this ancient text, gaining a deeper understanding of its words and stories and sharing its knowledge and wisdom with others. I believe the Bible is one way we have been given to experience the goodness and love of the divine and it should never be co-opted to forcefully impose political or even religious values on other people.

One thing I’ve learned is that there is a danger in confusing the Bible for God. In doing so, the Bible actually becomes an idol — something we love, admire and worship above God — and, according to the Second Commandment that now hangs in every classroom throughout Texas: “You shall not make for yourself an idol.”

Riley Enns is the pastor at Church of the Way in Winnipeg.