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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Myrna Shinbaum (212) 885-7747
Todd Gutnick (212) 885-7755 ADL SAYS BIBLE TEACHING GUIDE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
"UNACCEPTABLE"
"This wholly inappropriate curriculum blatantly crosses the line by
teaching fundamental Protestant doctrine," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL
National Director. "The text relies solely upon the King James
Version of the Bible and hews to a fundamentalist reading, especially of New
Testament passages. This is the primary flaw in the curriculum - that it
advocates the acceptance of one faith tradition's interpretation of the Bible
over another."
According to ADL, the King James Version is the least faithful one to the
original Biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek. There are acceptable resources available for
teaching the Bible in public schools. For example, the newly published
textbook, "The Bible and Its Influence" from the Bible Literacy
Project is designed to meet the standards for teaching the Bible in public
schools with one semester on the Hebrew Scriptures and one on the New
Testament. The U.S. Supreme Court has said that although
public schools may not teach religion, they may teach about religion in a secular context.
The Bible may be taught in a public school, but only for its historical,
cultural or literary value and never in a devotional, celebratory or doctrinal
manner, or in such a way that encourages acceptance of the Bible as a religious
document. If a school district chooses to teach the Bible in this context,
the adopted curriculum must be balanced and pluralistic in nature and the
curriculum should not advocate one particular religion, interpretation or
translation over another. The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is
the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and
services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Joel L. Sogol Attorney at Law ph: 205-345-0966 fx: 205-345-0971 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ben Franklin observed that truth wins a fair fight -- which
is why we have evidence rules in |
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