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| Bible Teaching in the Public Schools: A Survey |
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Hi all! Pastor Kip is doing some research on the attitudes and opinions concerning Bible Teaching in the public schools, and he has set up an on-line survey so we can participate! If you have a few minutes and want to be a part of his research, the password for the site is thegoodbook, and you can find the survey here: http://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=1a636c1b-478b-416a-aa62-67fb56753609
Following is a message from Pastor Kip:
I am collecting data for a research project, and I need your help. This year, the theme of the Baptist History and Heritage Society’s annual meeting is “Baptists and First Amendment Issues.” In thinking about such issues, it occurred to me that I have never read a study of everyday Baptists’ views on Bible teaching in the public schools. I’ve read court decisions and the opinions of “experts,” but to my knowledge, no one has surveyed the opinions of the average pastor or lay person. So, I thought it might make an interesting research project. You can help me by sharing your opinions.
This is intended to be an anonymous survey. Please do not identify yourself on the survey. I have tried to make the questions as objective and neutral as possible, so you may feel the need to explain some of your answers. I have provided space for that and welcome your written explanations. In fact, your explanations will probably be more interesting and valuable than my questions. Please complete the survey only once. Please feel free to invite others to take this survey—especially if they are Baptist! I appreciate the help. I will present my findings at the Baptist History and Heritage Society’s annual meeting in Atlanta, GA. The title of my presentation is, “Baptist Views on the Bible in Public Schools: A North Carolina Case Study.” You can see the meeting program online at http://www.baptisthistory.org/annualmeeting2008.pdf. Thank you very much. Kip Mobley
The survey can be accessed at:
The survey is password protected. The password is: thegoodbook |
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Glenn |
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April 28, 2008 at 11:03am |
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Hey Kathy, just wanted to let you know I took the survey but I think from my New York State perspective it is asking things that probably just could not happen. It was interesting to do the survey. Thanks for sharing it. I hope my answers don't throw things off.
Glenn |
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Kathy |
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April 28, 2008 at 12:24pm |
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That's interesting, Glenn. Do you know of any Bible classes taught in public schools in NY?
Others of you who are outside NC, what was your reaction? |
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Glenn |
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April 30, 2008 at 5:53am |
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| No Kathy, I don't think that a true Bible class could be taught in NY. They might give a glimpse in a comparative literature class, but that would be about it. My boys always seem to find a way to bring it into some discussion or other, usually science, but there is no formal class on it and I don't think one would fly here. |
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Kathy |
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April 30, 2008 at 7:36am |
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| Thanks, Glenn. It is controversial here as well, which is what makes it an interesting topic to survey. We do offer the classes here in my area. I would guess it is mainly a "Bible Belt" phenomenon. Maybe Pastor Kip will share some insights with us after he closes the survey. Any insights from other areas? |
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| I filled out that survey...I was caught between checking the box or explaing my answers. I think it would be great if the Bible were taught in the Public Schools, but I would say we need to be careful about who teaches it, how they teach it, etc... |
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Kathy |
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April 30, 2008 at 7:57am |
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| Thanks, Brother Todd, for sharing an Alabama voice! I agree with you, but it would be interesting to hear your thinking, if you have time to share further! Do you know of any Bible classes in Alabama? |
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I do not know of any. I would relish the opportunity to step in and teach a survey course or something. High School is so important, as the youth are making value judments and opinions all the time. It would be nice to give them an alternative to think about.
I guess what I was saying above was that I would almost rather have no one teaching the Bible than to have it taught poorly. The Bible is a spiritual book, and the carnal mind can not understand the things of God. I think it would do a lot of good to teach it as a History book and as a Science book, but, the Bible when taken out of context or taught by someone with an agenda, or who is even unsaved, is a dangerous thing. There is no way someone who is not who's heart is not right could effectively teach the precepts, principles, and doctrines of the Bible.
Does that make sense to you? Would like to hear your thoughts.
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Jen |
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April 30, 2008 at 9:52am |
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| I will do the survey. I'm not in a Baptist church (was in college); rather I'm in CMA. It should be interesting. |
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Kathy |
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April 30, 2008 at 10:23am |
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Thanks for that clarification, Brother Todd! There are certainly many issues to be considered in teaching Bible in the Public Schools. Since I posted the blog, I will wait and share my personal thoughts after the survey ends, so as not to taint others' responses. I posted an earlier blog, though, that deals with these same larger issues: http://www.mychurch.org/blog/26013/Lets-Not-Put-Prayer-Back-into-Our-Schools. Feel free to take a look and share your reactions!
Hi Jen! Any thoughts after taking the survey? In what part of PA is Bellefont? Welcome to MyChurch! |
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J Lee |
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May 05, 2008 at 3:13pm |
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I agree with Brother Todd that I'd rather have no one teaching the Bible than to have someone teach it poorly. I think one of the reasons Christianity is so strong in this country is because it has been a kind of forbidden thing, so it has a kind of rebellious appeal to it, great for youth. In European countries, where there is a state church, the Bible is just another one of those dull subjects they have to endure at school. Still, the English language is rich with phrases and sayings that come from the Bible, so a point can be made to study these stories and sayings that come up in the common culture. I am amused by a line used in the intro to the G4 network program, Ninja Warrior: "Many are called, but few are chosen." I'm sure that Biblical line is not found in the original Japanese script of the program. |
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Kathy |
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May 05, 2008 at 7:10pm |
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| Interesting thoughts, J Lee! Thanks! |
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Kathy |
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May 05, 2008 at 7:18pm |
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| lol - I just saw this post listed in my What's Fresh section, but the title was cut off to say "Bible Teaching in the Pub"! That's another blog entirely! :) |
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| Filled out the survey. I think I am one of those who will balance out his results. I am a firm believer that the Bible should not be taught in the public schools as a form of discipleship. Don't mind it being taught as history or as comparative literature. I just don't want the government to be empowered to provide discipleship to my kids (or anybody's kids) when that is the duty of the church. Thanks Kathy for the opportunity to participate. |
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Kathy |
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May 07, 2008 at 6:00am |
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| Thank you, Voice, for taking the survey and for sharing your thoughts here! You make some good points, and I know you are discipling your children everyday! |
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