Should public schools start teaching children that many biblical myths can not possibly be true?

Question

We want our children to be educated with the truth, don’t we? And the truth is that many biblical myths like Noah’s Ark, Jonah and the ‘big fish,’ Adam and Eve and the talking snake etc, these myths can not possibly be true, right? So if your kid came home from school one day and said, “Teacher today told us that Noah’s Ark is just a nonsense myth that can’t possibly be true,” how would you react?

Answer 1

I think that unless the kid is taking a religious class, they should not be teaching religion or deconstructing it in school. BTW, many of the religious stories are not literal truth.

Answer 2

We shouldn't exclude the myths of the Old Testament in our education system. They should, however, be taught as myths alongside Greek, Roman, Norse, Native American, Australian Aboriginal and so on.





Rudolf Steiner schools teach this way (though they do claim to be a bit more Christian, unfortunately), but it gives the children a broad education, which is vital.



Most creation myths are almost identical across these civilizations- see the wonderful Joseph Campbell books on Primitive Mythology.



Addit- you can choose for your child to attend religious education classes at public schools here, or else they do something else.

I still think it's important for children to be aware of the Bible even if you're an atheist, like myself, which is why I like the idea of it being taught alongside other ancient myths and legends. By excluding it altogether, you are giving the Bible a 'taboo' status, and you know where that may lead...

Answer 3

Why not?



They teach them that Norse, Greek and Egyptian myths are false and lets face it.. A few thousand years ago, they were the main stay religions. The new, upcoming religions such as Christianity, were nothing back then.



Times change. Get used to it.

Answer 4

They shouldn't be teaching anything about the Bible in the first place. My children may be atheist, but there is no reason to degrade the beliefs of others. I would contact the school and ask why they are teaching religion in a public school.

Answer 5

I'm 17 and trust me by the time all those kids get to high school they know that all that is untrue, even in middle school they know this. let kids believe in what ever religious stories their parents find ok. Its like telling little kids in public schools that santa, tooth fairy, easter bunny, etc are not true. let them believe in these stories for know because they will definitely find out the truth later.

Answer 6

They don't need to be introduced at all. Let families take care of that stuff. It's clear not enough time is being spent teaching people how to read and write. Noah and Jonah and Humpty Dumpty can stay home.

Answer 7

I am a Christian who is also an elementary teacher.



How would I react? I guess I would ask them if they really believed that. If they believe in God and that God could do anything He chooses to do. All these things cannot be possible if we apply human understanding and place human limitations upon them.



But God is not human and He is not limited by our rules of science and physics and biology.



I believe in God. No amount of logical science will ever shake this belief. I completely understand the contradictions and I cannot explain away science, but my personal experiences with God will trump every single argument. Why? Because science cannot explain them.



The fact that you have not had an encounter with God does not mean He hasn't tried to talk withyou.

Answer 8

I would respond the same way that I would respond if they came home and told me that their teacher told them that God created the world, which I believe.



I would sue the school district for teaching religion if I couldn't force them to stop through proper channels. That is not their purpose.

Answer 9

I would react badly i assume, I don't like it when school teaches theory as fact. I think that they should do what they're doing, and continue teaching what is TRUE, instead of what CAN'T BE TRUE.



(OK, for geography we're going to learn everything that can't be true, and then you'll be quizzed on what IS TRUE. 1) The earth was formed 30,000 years ago. 2) The earth was formed 30,001 years ago 3) the earth was.....)

Answer 10

Teaching religion is not the business of Public schools .If any school does it , it is a sin , It is such mistakes that divide people and faster enmity between groups .

It is only the American school students that have shot their parents and fellow students dead .That is what the schools could do in America .They could not develop discipline among the students and mould their character .

Answer 11

The bible has no place in public schools period. Nor do any religious texts. Even if to dispute or critique them. Religion should stay at home or in the houses of worship.

Answer 12

“Teacher today told us that Noah’s Ark is just a nonsense myth that can’t possibly be true”



"Good boy. You deserve a cookie, son"

Answer 13

no, it's about time schools started teaching subjects and making sure the children learn. religion doesn't need to be addressed in school at all outside of a world religion class or anthropology.

Answer 14

I'd say some religions believe they are parables meant to prove a point rather than to be believed as 100% truth.

Answer 15

They are not true according to a small group of naysayers...The word of GOD cannot be revised because some do not believe in these miraculous stories....AND, so that you know.....Last I checked, the teaching of the Bible is not a course that is offered in the regular school systems, they would have to cover to many beliefs.....

Answer 16

I'd be delighted that they paid attention in class and then correct them.



Son/daughter, you and I both know that ceiling cat created the world and humans so that he could have regular meals and a warm place to sleep. You know this is true because you have seen him in the attic.

Answer 17

The public schools should take no position on the validity of the bible.

Answer 18

I want to know how anything like that came up in the curriculum.

Answer 19

How about public school just leave the issue alone!? Why don't you ask God WHEN you get to heaven...Oh wait! Heaven is the myth too, just because we can't see it.

Answer 20

I honestly don't know if you're trolling, or just out of touch.



If you can't teach religion in public school, you can't teach against religion in public school, either.

Answer 21

well they've taken God out of the schools now for some time, haven't you noticed that when He was made to vacate, evil replaced Him, so you have your array of killing sprees, truancy, teen pregnancies and such, what more do you want?

Answer 22

The bible and stories do not belong in public schools, good or bad.

Answer 23

I really have to go with Frank Burns (who I just happen to be watching at the moment) on this one.

Answer 24

Whatever. You show me that evolution is true (without using the geographic column which is found no where in the world) and I'll take it all back. E-mail me, go ahead. Christians have hope, atheists have nothing but doubt, and fear of what's coming next.

Answer 25

I would call the teacher and thank them profusely.



Seriously, I wouldn't care, as long as they weren't telling my child that his beliefs are wrong and theirs are right.

Answer 26

schools can't "force " children to disbelieve in those you mentioned but they can encourage free thinking and let them make the choice.

Answer 27

No, just teach the children how to think critically and analytically. Teach them how to use the scientific method and null hypothesis.



Then they'll figure it out for themselves.

Answer 28

No, public schools should stay out of religion. Period.

Answer 29

My kid would straighten the teacher out on that one

Answer 30

i'd be delighted -- they really should .. its about time though most people can look it up online as well. In fact there's a really good blog they can go to as well ... if only I can remember the name ...lol

Answer 31

They should be smart enough to realize this.





And that kind of stuff is only taught in religious schools.

Answer 32

They'll figure that out eventually, I hope.

Answer 33

EVERYTHING IN THE BIBLE AS BEEN PROVEN BY HISTORIAN AND SCIENTIST.......LOOK IT UP...