Tell It To FOX

Yes...I believe all religions should be taught! I know it can be done as we have it incorporated in our homeschool curriculum. When we place religion and God in any way back in our schools...there will be no need to teach the failing Character Counts mumbo jumbo. The same rules and consequences does not work for EVERY student, trust me...I've experience! This would also open dialogue for our country to understand the unrest in the middle east...and understand those people and their religion in a huge part of it!

Yes. I believe in introducing Biblical literature as a high school lit class. I had to take it to get a degree in English and it would have helped if I had been a little more cognizant of what was in the Bible. It wouldn't be a debate course but a literature course only. I can't understand why they haven't already offered it.? WHY?

Yes, put the Bible back in schools !

Why make an elective course solely on the bible? Why can't it be an Elective course covering all religions? The History of Religions is rather interesting, why only have a class on one belief? Seems fair to include them all if you ask me, and for that reason, I would try to persuade my kids to Not take this Elective Class.

Why is it so bad to let church in school ?

What, if anything, should public schools teach about the Bible? Should other religions be covered and is there anything that should not be discussed? I am a born-again Christian. Educationally, I believe it is difficult at best to teach about any religion in the public schools without bias on the part of the educators. 'Religion', I prefer the term 'Spirituality', should be taught at home. Educators should be able to encourage students to discuss these issues at home, and at the same time be able to answer their questions. If we were a truly Christian nation, then yes, I would say that the Bible should be part of the educational process to the EXCLUSION of other 'religious materials'. I have the suspiscion that other religious viewpoints other than Christianity are being taught in public schools all over the country. There is more INTOLERANCE in the USA for Christianity than any other 'Spiritual' belief. Fred

This is the perfect way to start a Bible Gang. Ever watch the movie Saved?? I bet that gang wont have to suffer stereotypes. But hey, what do you expect from a Republican

This is not even an issue. President Clinton made it legal for the Bible to be taught in public schools. It is the most published book in history, why shoud it not be taught?

This country and its laws and principals are founded on Biblical standards. This is great to finally let kids choose this elective in the public school system. Why wouldnt we let our children in on its history? Its all truth!

They better recognize all other religions like Judaism, Hinduism, Buddaism, Taoism, Muslim, and yes ... Lakota Spirituality!!! Why Christianity? Are they that there are heathens in South Dakota?

There is no place in public schools for the bible or religion. That is for private education. How many non-christians/agnostics/atheists tax dollars are gonna have to pay for these books?! I really hope some constitutional laywers step in and do something before it becomes an education standard!

The same Biblical things that were taught when our country was first founded! It didn't hurt our country then and certainly couldn't hurt our country now. GOD BLESS AMERICA

The other religions have been included in teaching curriculum for over 10 years, the Bible was the only one 'shunned' by the school texts.

The historical significance of the Bible on Western Civilization is significant. The principles of Judeo Christian ethics undergird much of our judicial system. The Bible's impact on historical figures is unrivaled. And, it remains the best seller of all time. To insist that it be banned from our schools because a teacher might 'evangelize' students, is to seriously limit the education of our students. There are many curriculums available that have been developed that do not seek to 'save' our children, rather to inform. And, isn't the purpose of education, to prepare the children of our state with the ability to discern truth and error? Why not allow these same children to see what the Bible has to say? And, discover how the Bible was instrumental in helping form our culture today.

The Constitution: Amendment 1 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof' In terms that all you bible thumping morons can understand, there's a seperation of church and state in place as the very first law of this land. HOW ON GODS GREEN EARTH WAS THIS QUESTION EVEN PROPOSED IN THE FIRST PLACE!??? If peope want to learn about the bible they'll have to do like every other religion in this country and do it on there own time without any government involvment what-so-ever untill we decide collectivly as a country to privatize our public education system, which i'm sure the majority of us don't want and will never want so essentially, to me, this question is possibly the dumbest, most singularly frustratingly stupid questions i've heard since 'Where's the beef?'

Subject THe Bible is not religion. THe Bible is history!!!!!!!!

Religion and Public schools should not combined because there are many kids with different religion are you going to teach all of them their own religion or just one? what about the families that do not believe in the bible what are you going to do with them?

putting the bible back in the school systems in NEEDED!

Our public schools are cutting courses, teachers, and extra-curricular activities. We are underfire for having too many employees and our test scores not increasing with the rate of inflation, yet our legislature feels we need to add bible studies?? I cant wait to see the highley qualified requirements, common core standards and Dakota Step assessment for bible class.

nothing like going back in time first the state wanted to make abortion illeagal , now the Bible back in schools, we as a state are low on test scores we have the lowest paid teachers in the country we are many different lists of being the worst in the country on all kinds of stuff , we have the 3 poorest countie in the entire nation why in the world would anyone think this is a good idea, whej we are loosing reading programs , we lost the tag program, there is no funding for the arts but somehow we can implement a subject that is readily available at any church and in most colleges , i will uproot my family and leave this state for good if this goes through.We put up with alot already with the high cost of living and low pay we sacrafice our wallets to live in a good place but this would be that line where it just isn't worth it anymore.Especially when you factor in there are better school systems and better pay wauting for us in jujst about every single state in the country

Not in our schools that our govt runs, that is the meaning of seperation of church an state. Now are we going to instruct on ALL religions equally, if not this is also very racial in nature. Our state legistlotor should be more concerened with governing then ensureing SD know the bible, that's for parents and churchs to do.

No! No, no, no! Religion has no place in our schools. Religious beliefs should be taught in the home, in churches, and in private groups. We're already short on funding and adding a class taught on just the bible would be a ridiculous waste of our tax money, not to mention a gross insult to those people who follow a different religion. If you wish your child to learn about the bible, take them to one of the dozens of churches in the area. Besides-there's as many different interpretations of the bible as there are churches. Which one would our public schools be teaching?

My religion has been around way longer than most the people on here I;m guessing and if my Jewish children need to be subjected to your ways then your children should have to learn our beliefs as well

It is Freedom 'of' religion, not Freedom 'from' religion. You can choose which religion you want to follow, you don't get to choose to shut out anything Christian for everyone just because you choose not to follow it.

It is an achedemic course, acknowledging the Bible as a piece of liturature. dont get your panties in a wad. And no one has to sign up for it. OPTIONAL study!

In school districts where teachers are fighting for a raise and students bring their own tissues and markers there is no room financially for schools to support religion courses. Unless you fix the problems that are already presented you cannot add more. Financially the schools cannot afford to even think about adding another course. There are many factors to which why there should not be religion taught in schools. There are many reasons that the schools should not be teaching about the Bible in schools, such as, what grade the work should begin, what about the parents that do not want their children learning of this in school; what are the children that are not to be in the class to do? Where is the money coming from to pay the teachers and get the materials, will it be required to finish school? I feel that religion should be left in the church because there is no way to cover each religion or lack thereof equally and someone is going to be mad no matter what happens. This was a poor choice on South Dakota legislation because they are leaving it up to the schools and if the school does not implement the Bible into course work then they are going to be the ‘bad person’.

In GOD we trust. Enough said

If schools can teach something as ridiculous as evolution they should definitely be able to teach creation. As far as other religions being allowed they already are, its Christianity that is not allowed.

I went to school in Custer. In high school we had a class called 'Humanities' where we learned about all religions. I do not understand why it is some of you people sound so hateful. You could use some humanity in your lives

I think the Bible should be an option for a course study in high school and other religions but not required study for students so they have a a choice.

I think schools should consider a world religion class. This would cover many faiths and the students would have a better understanding of what is happening all over the world and how others believe. It might give student a better understanding and tolerance for other's chcoice of religion both local and world wide.

I think its better left up to individul,

I think it's a great idea to offer it as an elective course as it Christianity and the Bible played a huge part in the founding of our country.

I have no problem with the bible being taught in our public schools; however, i find it kind of ironic considering how many schools have had to cut electives such as AP courses & child development DUE to the RIDICULOUS underfunding going on in our schools.

How about teaching them the three R's? Readin',rightin'(sp),and respect first. Leave the Bible for the parents and Church. Hell,the respect could start with parents too.

Bible should stay out of schools. Church and Government must be separate. Keep Bible out of schools. Period.

At one time prayer was allowed in schools, of course this was before folks got 'educated' and dismissed what the founders believed. Now I suppose the politically correct thing to do is to teach the Qu'ran and introduce Sharia law to keep people happy...

America is a country whith people from all walks of life and religion. I believe that all religions should be covered in schools, so it creates a better understanding of others and their beliefs. Religions and their origins should never create conflict. JKR

All religions should be represented.

. Our country was founded on religious freedom, and part of that freedom should be allowing our children to study the bible in a public school setting if they so choose.