Should Lessons Based on the Bible Be Taught in Public Schools?

Look, the Bible transcends time and location in our world. It has been read by people all over the world, from Japan to Russia and the depths of Congo. In many cases it's the only book people have access to thanks to religious organizations. As a fundamental text in the Western literary cannon its stories have been used as a tool to teach things like sharing, the golden rule and more. Naysayers might say this is bringing religion into the classroom. But religion is already there. We already teach socio-cultural norms including practices, beliefs and worldviews, we just don’t fundamentally question it like others do religion. I’m indifferent to its use although I would lean towards it on the basis it allows us to look at why western civilization has our current norms. Where there must be limits is the use of religion outside of a study and into belief. Prayer must be allowed for those who want to participate on their own time, but not integrated into the main bell to bell day. Those actions would imply a tacit belief in those beliefs or special privileges that affect others at school. It would be like forcing everyone to eat fish every Friday.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/learning/should-lessons-based-on-the-bible-be-taught-in-public-schools.html
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