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Which Hollywood Power Couple Penned This Surprising Op-Ed: ‘Why Public Schools Should Teach the Bible’?

Mar. 1, 2013 7:43am Billy Hallowell

On Thursday, famed reality show producer Mark Burnett (“The Voice” and “Survivor”) and his wife, actress Roma Downey (“Touched by an Angel”) penned an eye-grabbing op-ed in the Wall Street Journal entitled, “Why Public Schools Should Teach the Bible.” True to its title, Burnett and Downey make the case that America’s children should be taught the holy book’s ins and outs in classrooms across the nation.

Referring to the Bible as “the most read, most influential book of all time,” the two pointed out the cultural value that the document has to Western civilization. In addition to highlighting the fact that many common phrases used in everyday language have roots in the Bible, the couple noted the that it has very literally shaped modern-day literature, entertainment and the culture at large.

Mark Burnett and Roma Downey Pen Wall Street Journal Op Ed: Public Schools Should Teach the Bible

Producer Mark Burnett (L) and his wife actress Roma Downey arrive at Operation Smile’s 30th Anniversary Smile Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 28, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Credit: Getty Images

Burnett and Downey described these elements in detail, calling for the encouragement — if not mandate — of the book’s teaching:

The Bible has affected the world for centuries in innumerable ways, including art, literature, philosophy, government, philanthropy, education, social justice and humanitarianism. One would think that a text of such significance would be taught regularly in schools. Not so. That is because of the “stumbling block” (the Bible again) that is posed by the powers that be in America.

It’s time to change that, for the sake of the nation’s children. It’s time to encourage, perhaps even mandate, the teaching of the Bible in public schools as a primary document of Western civilization.

The two discussed the importance of the Bible in the education process. Having grown up in Europe (Burnett in England and Downey in Ireland), they believe it is key to ensuring children receive “a well-rounded education” — something that they received while living overseas.

Burnett and Downey note just a few of the cultural elements and services that simply wouldn’t exist today if not for the Bible:

Without the Bible, Shakespeare would read differently—there are more than 1,200 references to Scripture in his works. Without the Bible, there would be no Sistine Chapel and none of the biblically inspired masterpieces that hang in countless museums world-wide.

In movies, without biblical allegories, there would be no “Les Misérables,” no “Star Wars,” no “Matrix,” no “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, no “Narnia” and no “Ben-Hur.” There would be no Alcoholics Anonymous, Salvation Army or Harvard University—all of which found their roots in Scripture. And really, what would Bono sing about if there were no Bible?

Of course, they admit that advocating for the Bible’s placement in public school instruction doesn’t come without controversy, as church-state separatists often respond negatively to the proposal. However, Burnett and Downey reminded readers that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled (in 1963′s Abington School District v. Schempp case) in favor of allowing the book to be used in schools for “literary and historic” purposes.

This means that it must be part of the secular curriculum and can be taught, not preached (if you don’t believe Burnett and Downey, read the National Education Association’s explanation, which corroborates their claim).

With the Bible impacting so much of the modern world, the Hollywood power couple believes that it simply makes sense for students to be studying and understanding the document. They make it clear that they aren’t talking about religious or political indoctrination; instead, they’re speaking openly and honestly about the need to instill knowledge of the past — information that is inherent in the Bible and has the power to teach us about today’s social structures.

“It is possible to have education without indoctrination,” they write. “On this point, believers and nonbelievers should be able to ‘see eye to eye.’” You can read the op-ed in its entirety here.

On Sunday, March 3, Burnett and Downey’s “The Bible,” a series that reenacts key scenes from the book, will premiere on the History Channel. TheBlaze has extensively covered this project in the past. The show will air for five weeks, culminating on Easter Sunday.

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Comments (231)

MartyTr
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:28am
The Constitution doesn’t say that, try reading it.

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txannie
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:06am
The one thing libs, athiests, etc want to do is erase the fact that the Bible is the primer used not only to set our country on the pathway to greatness, but also used to teach our children everything they need to know about life and how to live it. Revisionist history is being used to try to erase any reference that might lead to admitting they should live a better example for themselves, their families and the rest of the world. We began as a Christian country based on the Bible. Like it or not, you can try to argue with more fancy words all you want, it won’t change the fact that the Bible is the basis for all that America stood for until enough non-believers were able to start their campaign with first taking prayer from our children in schools. Absolutely, nothing was perfect, but it has gotten a whole lot worse since we removed God from our daily living because it ‘might offend’ someone…and it’s been a slide into the pit from there.

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- searcher619
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:06am
  Wrong. You can teach American history and point it out all you like. What is improper is the teaching of religious doctrine in a PUBLIC school. Why? Because not everyone is Christian and wants their children indoctrinated in Christianity. Why cant people like you get that? If PUBLIC money goes to a school that school should NOT be teaching any one religion. that’s what YOU as a parent should be doing at home and taking your child regularly to church.
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:13am
  doors- Mmmm nope. Look at this.
  
  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2546951/posts
  
  Report this comment
- Modern_Cicero
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 12:59pm
  OK Searcher, you’ve got a point. We should do away with all laws that have origins in the Bible which means we need to completely dissociate from our legal foundation in English Common Law. This would involve basically erasing all of our concepts of jurisdiction, equality, fault, vow, private property and restitution. Do you think this be an enlightened thing to do?
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 1:28pm
  search,
  It’s not teaching a religious doctrine when it is being used to show how it helped shape the founding of this nation and inspired the declaration of independence.It is using historical reference to show how it shape the nation. Several other religions are already used the way in schools in reguards to other countries exploits and I don’t see you Christian haters up in arms about that.
  
  Report this comment
- jcldwl
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 2:48pm
  @ searcher
  If that’s the way you want it then they should not teach science in school because science truly is a religion without God it is nothing but a bunch of garbage used to deny God’s existence there are people that worship science. They teach chemistry which is actually alchemy…oops another religion. Do they teach kids in school about planets and stars and constellations? Yes they do, well that would fall under astrology. Oops another religion. Do you think think teachers ever mention Mother Nature…oops another religion, Nor should they teach the theory of evolution, or climate change, or anything to do with New Age religion, such as yoga, or meditation. I could go on and on but you would not agree anyway because you are blinded to the truth. Have a great day and I will pray for you.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc333
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 3:43pm
  So can we start teaching science in church too?
  
  Report this comment
- Modern_Cicero
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 4:12pm
  @ Keaton – An assumption that there is no God or intelligent influence in the universe when making observations of the cosmos is just as flawed as assuming that there is a God or intelligent influence. Neither assumption has anything to do with the scientific method of formulating testable hypotheses, doing controlled experiments, drawing data, and then applying the results back to the thesis to see if it stands. Ontology and Cosmology are both fields that have to be handled with evidential and historic proof, not purely scientific method. So, when a “scientist” assumes there is no God and puts forth untestable theories like ex nihlo evolution, multiverse, anthropic principle, panspermia, pea-pod theory, etc (all theories who’s express purpose is to be untestable and to controvert what we naturally observe in the universe) they have gone from the ream of science to the realm of myth. Watching Carl Sagen’s “Cosmos” and reading Jean Auel’s “Clan of the Cave Bear” is a fundamentally religious experience, not a scientific one. If you look at the cosmos and feel a deep affinity and reverence at being star-dust come alive and self-aware, and feel a deep kinship with billions of years of evolved creatures, you are having a primarily religious experience, not an objective one. So why is Humanist religion being taught in schools, and other religions are not?
  
  Report this comment
- VanceUppercut
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 5:07pm
  The Holy book should be taught to all children in schools as the one and only source of truth…said the head of the Taliban.
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 5:15pm
  They teach the Bible in Texas. It’s legal to teach the Bible in school, as long as there is no assertion that the Bible is correct and it is taught from a secular point of view. Except when these schools were examined on whether they follow the law or not, half or so broke the law and abused the system to evangelize students. If the schools could be trusted to follow the law, it’d be one thing, but a very large portion don’t. So either all schools shouldn’t teach the bible, or at least the ones that have abused their authority in the past.
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 5:51pm
  GOD is the BIG picture. GOD is the SOURCE. GOD allowed AMERICA to be formed. GOD made all things, created all things. People were given free choice. People were given freedom of choice so that when they came to GOD, it would be REAL, not for “things”; not for “fame”; not for “fortune” but for LOVE. GOD is LOVE. GOD owns us. We owe our lives to GOD. To say that information about our GOD should not be taught to HIS children is insanity.
  ALL PEACE, all LOVE, all Happiness/Joy come from GOD.
  There is GOOD. There is Evil.
  When you die you will either GO to be with GOD or you will be in Hell.
  Choose.
  HOW ? You ask? Just go sit down somewhere away from the Computer/the TV/the phone/ others
  and just ask GOD…HE HEARS HONEST QUESTIONS VERY CLEARLY. HE WILL ANSWER YOU.
  
  I’m looking forward to watching the HISTORY CHANNEL this SUNDAY and the next 10 weeks. Thanks Glenn for the great plug for this amazing event!!
  
  Report this comment
- PASSIONFORCHRIST
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 6:31pm
  This is for searcher619:
  
  First of all Education was fine, UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT INVOLVED ITSELF! YES LET’S KEEP PASSING INEPT CHILDREN IN OUR SYSTEM AND CONTINUE TO LOOOOOOOOOOWERRRRRRRRR THE STANDARDS!
  
  Report this comment
- paco
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 11:34am
  @searcher,
  I am not atheist nor secular progressive, why should my children be forced to be taught those religions and nothing from Christianity? Yes, those are religions by any definition. Progressives are impressively myopic, they are absolutely fine and overtly support cramming their agenda down the throats of all children by force and threat, yet vehemently oppose the mere mention of any topic that doesn’t fit the progressive agenda. Hypocritical, at best.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on March 4, 2013 at 8:04am
  K.333
  Every single solitary Christian school teaches science most even have lessons about darwinism.
  The difference between Christian schools and public schools. Is christian schools teach everything but public teach only what they want the kids to think.
  
  Report this comment
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:03am
If it was approached like Greek or Roman Mythology I would be all for teaching it as ‘Christian Mythology’ in School. And No,I do not think it is mythology.
But there are Churches on about every corner that I am sure would gladly teach your kids about the Bible.
Who wants to run the risk of the instructor walking in with a bag fullo Appalachian Timber Rattlers or being Rev. Wright?
“How Was School Today,Susie?”
“After we put the snakes back in their bag,we rolled on the floor and talked in tongues!”
“WHAT!?!?!”
“Yeah,Mommy! Your Chickens are coming home to roost you White Devil!”

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- JacquesChirac
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:58am
  All I thought about when I read this was the day the reporter asked Speaker Pelosi…
  
  (sorry – had to puke as I wrote that. I’m better now…)
  
  …what her favorite book was, and a very pensive, well-stretched smile came across her face as she said, “My favorite book is THE book.”
  
  Wouldn’t it be great to have THAT thing interpret THE book to our kids?? Hmmm…Jim Wallis or Nancy Pelosi? The Rev Wright or the guy from Appalachia?
  
  Bad idea Mark and Roma. Bad, bad idea…
  
  Report this comment
- JediKnight
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 12:26pm
  I believe she was actually asked what her favorite word was. Her response was “the WORD”. Of course, if her favorite word is “the WORD” then she’ll need to explain a lot of her positions, most notably how she’s so much in favor of abortion “rights” instead of protecting life.
  
  Report this comment
Jelly_Belly
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:45am
How many liberal teachers who hate the bible are going to give the Bible the most twisted, distorted view of what it’s all about?

And as a conservative Lutheran pastor, I would be not want my kids taught Scripture in the public school by someone whom I know has serious misunderstandings of doctrine and Scripture and whom I know will be teaching them false teachings. Just as I would not want them consuming poison at school, I would not want them consuming spiritual poison either. (At least evolution is not deceptive; it’s easy to spot and ignore.)

As nice as praying and teaching the bible in public school school sounds to conservative Christians, I would prefer to spiritually educate them myself, as every Christian parent should be doing.

And by the way, if you want your kids taught the Bible in school, find a nearby church that runs a school. $500/year of tuition, if there is tuition, is TOTALLY worth it to have your kids in the Word every day.

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- Dan_o
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:03am
  “Scripture is like a lion. Who ever heard of defending a lion? Just turn it loose; it will defend itself.” – C.H. Spurgeon 1834 – 1892
  
  Report this comment
- Smokey_Bojangles
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:06am
  Glad Not to see a knee jerk reaction from another Christian. In NC it is being proposed in Schools. Everyone is for it,until they get a Lutheran instructor hahah. (Meaning non-Lutherans*Southern Baptist* would be upset)
  
  Report this comment
- watashbuddyfriend
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:19am
  Dang, @Dan_o
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:03am
  
  “Scripture is like a lion. Who ever heard of defending a lion? Just turn it loose; it will defend itself.” – C.H. Spurgeon 1834 – 1892.”
  
  YOU right on target!
  
  Report this comment
- crisnick
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:28am
  You do not have to ignore evolution as you said. Just understand that Darwinists use the term “evolution” to broadly describe what should be divided into microevolution and macroevolution. Microevolution is evidenced by the fact that you can breed a dog to uncover specific qualities (which requires intelligence to do so), or that bacteria can become antibiotic resistant when antibiotics are not used properly. Darwinists use this as proof of macroevolution but it is not the same. When you breed dogs over generations, they never become anything but dogs. When that bacterium becomes antibiotic-resistant, it never stops being a bacterium. There is no proof of macroevolution — meaning a jump to a new species — that microevolution can explain. In other words, there is no physical proof that we spontaneously generated from dirt or evolved from amoebae, let alone apes.
  
  Hate to be preachy, but don’t ignore evolution, just understand that Darwinists have distorted our understanding of it.
  
  Report this comment
- Touche Turtle
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 1:31pm
  “How many liberal teachers who hate the bible are going to give the Bible the most twisted, distorted view of what it’s all about?” Hopefully NONE because they will all quit teaching first!!! And I have to say, that probably wouldn’t be a bad thing!!! They have been indoctrinating my children and grandchildren for over 40 years . . . maybe it is MY turn to do the indoctrinating and see how they like it!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Jelly_Belly
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 6:25pm
  @Dan_O,
  
  Consider Hebrews 4:12 (NIV): “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
  
  If Scripture is described as a double-edged sword, capable of spiritual life and death, would you want something that powerful in the hands of someone who has no idea what he’s doing? Or worse, someone who will purposely misuse it?
  
  You can make the Bible say anything you want if you take it out of context. If you do not handle it correctly, it could do some serious damage, bind tender consciences and could ultimately lead to hell if twisted enough. I think Mr. Spurgeon’s comment would not necessarily apply here, Dan_O.
  
  Report this comment
- peaceangel
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 9:37pm
  I don’t think that the BIBLE should be taught in schools either. How about we teach love and caring and patriotism and what communism is cause no one under 30 has a clue and what about teaching volunteerism and donating because the generations who have always done this are old and dying. The baby boomers have raised a generation of lazy, entitled anti-God atheists who have never been to school and to assume that God is being taught at home in America is ludicrous. Most modern families don’t eat a meal together or talk or teach anything at home or away from home.
  
  In America today there are purported to be tens of millions of atheists and agnostics and it is the Baby boomer generation, the lame and the intrusive pastors and the Off in the ditch Rabiis and the pedophilia Catholic nation Churches are closing as fast as all other small businesses in America because of their parents trying to be their “friends” and teaching them “nothing.”
  
  Report this comment
John in Jackson
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:32am
Know why people either love or despise The Bible? Because God gives them only two basic choices. It’s blunt and uncomplicated. Because there are no shades of gray in it; things are either white or black, right or wrong, just or unjust, good or evil. You either believe God and God’s teaching or you reject God and God’s teaching. It’s after the initial decision that the complications of the choice begin to affect their lives.

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- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:48am
  No, . . . not “a choice”. You must first prove, without any doubt, that THIS god is actually real and is as this ONE religion claims . . . and ALL other religions being false. That hasn’t been done, nor will be done.
  
  Here are the inputs:
  
  1. Naturalistic evidences that point to natural mechanisms. There have been NO mechanisms that point to “the supernatural”. Understanding of the natural world is backed by evidentiary support.
  
  2. We have a multitude of religions claiming supernatural occurances that have no supporting evidence, and merely have ancient texts that make claims and people who believe those claims even up into the present time.
  
  These are not equal choices for many. Not even close. So, for those . . . . . there is no “choice”. There is just . . . what is.
  
  Report this comment
- Evan B
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:04am
  @DEAVONREYE – Anything that is unanswered in science can point to the supernatural just as easy as pointing to some unfounded theory. Even when Richard Dawkins was backed into a corner as to what started life he stated “another civilization may have seeded Earth”, as in aliens. He also went on to say basically “anything but God”. That logic alone flaws most views. How can you be a truly subjective scientist without considering all possibilities?
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:09am
  Evan, where did you get that from? From the “Expelled” movie? If so, they misquoted Dawkins.
  
  In the past, there were many “unknowns” that were believed to be supernatural. Guess what? Natural mechanisms were eventually discovered. Show me ONE example of “something which could have a supernatural explaination” . . . . in other words, something which could not happen naturally, or eventually explained naturally.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Doors_Of_Perception
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:24am
  @Deavon
  
  Haha I like it. That is pretty good one isn’t it? Pretty cut n’ dry…all those scientific discoveries we now know have supernatural explanations.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:29am
  Doors, . . . yeah. It is interesting when someone says, “consider all the possibilities” when their bottom line is probably, “God did it”. Of course, there is no way to make that determination, . . . but I understand the christian’s need for it to be true.
  
  Report this comment
- john vincent
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:36am
  DRYE-
  
  You remind me of the clay pot that spoke thus to the master potter: ‘you didn’t make me…………..’
  
  It really is that simple. You asking God to prove Himself in the world He created is laughable-
  
  Report this comment
- Remember_Benghazi
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:38am
  Yes. Too true. If you don’t live by the words of the Quran, you are going against God’s final revelation. Either you believe it or you don’t. It’s that simple.
  
  Report this comment
- Romans828Guy
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:39am
  Romans 1:20
  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
  
  Report this comment
- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:44am
  Nice try people.
  
  Once again I must say I find it hilarious how often I hear that Christianity isn’t a religion, but a “personal relationship” with Jesus.
  
  Again, it’s so personal that people will never shut up about it……and go to the level of trying to get their “personal relationship” in schools, and get laws passed around their “personal relationship” with their God.
  
  It is evident that the religious can’t separate the real world from their religious world. It’s why you have idiots who are Senators saying that evolution and the big bang theory are “lies straight from the pit of hell, which is meant to try to convince people they don’t need a savior.”
  
  That would be bad enough that he has that moronic view point, but then he goes on to say that his religious beliefs is the foundation of the way he votes in Congress.
  
  You get enough of these zealots in power, and then you have “Under God” being put in our pledge in the 50s and “In God We Trust” as our national motto.
  
  Until you can keep your religion to yourself, I have no reason to accept the nonsensical claim that your religion is a “personal matter” or relationship, or whatever silly metaphor you want to put on it.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:58am
  John, . . . . no, it ISN’T “that simple”. No where is there evidence that a god even exists, so before you can claim, “you are silly to ask God to prove himself”, this god MUST actually “prove himself”. Else, it is just your opinion.
  
  RomansGuy, . . . posting a verse doesn’t make it the case. No where in nature do you find anything “divine”. Show me something that can ONLY be explained by “the divine”.
  
  Report this comment
- Evan B
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:02am
  @DEAVONREYE – How was he misquoted? He said exactly “Some earlier time, somewhere in the universe a civilization evolved. By, probably, some kind of Darwinian means to a very high level of technology, and designed a form of life and seeded on perhaps this planet.”
  
  The point I was trying to make is if you take everything humanity knows about our origin, this planet, and the universe it is a drop in the bucket to what actually exist. Is it not possible that somewhere outside the realm of what we know a higher power couldn’t exist? That is really just a rhetorical question, because the answer has to be yes. To say no would be the same as saying you know everything about everything which no one does.
  
  The great part about this country is that we all have the right to believe how we wish, or that is how it is suppose to be. JOHN IN JACKSON is correct in what he stated. Whether you believe the Bible as the truth or as a work of fiction people either love it or despise it because it only gives ONE way to true happiness.
  
  As far as this article goes. I had rather not have a government ran public school teaching my children about the Bible. Most of the teachers are doing good to teach the basics, and I doubt any have had enough Theology classes to fully understand the history and construct of the Bible.
  
  Report this comment
- Romans828Guy
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:06am
  @Deavonreye, The fact that you are complex enough to comment on this story is a great example of something that can’t be explained naturally (by chance). Without an intelligent Creator/Designer, nothing has a purpose. Without purpose, goo doesn’t know that someday it will need eyes or hands. The “theory” that evolutionists push is basically…”with enough time, anything can happen”. That is pretty weak. Evolution can’t be proven…but it is taught basically everywhere.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:17am
  Evan, . . . yes, there is a measure of possibility that “something greater” influenced life here. I tend to focus on what is more likely, however. As for Dawkins, he only gave the “aliens” answer because the person asking him questions nearly insisted upon “what could it have been, if influenced”. The Expelled movie left that part out. He fully believes in a naturalistic evolution of life.
  
  Now, to what you said here:
  
  “As far as this article goes. I had rather not have a government ran public school teaching my children about the Bible. Most of the teachers are doing good to teach the basics, and I doubt any have had enough Theology classes to fully understand the history and construct of the Bible.”
  
  This is an excellent comment. If I were religious, I would NOT want my kid being taught religion by someone I had no means of knowing what their doctrinal slant is. Too many variations, and should be left up to the parent and their associated church.
  
  RomansGuy, . . . go to talkorigins.org to see evidence of evolution by natural selection [and to better understand what the actual theory is saying]. You need to do this before commenting with inaccurate information.
  
  As for “purpose”, . . . the universe never guaranteed you “a purpose”. We, on the other hand, can establish a purpose for our life. I do. My family, friends, being a good person, and enjoying life the best I can.
  
  Report this comment
- john vincent
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:21am
  -drye
  
  and ill answer for romans guy 2, he wont mind-
  
  you my friend, at this point, are unreachable, my last post was sufficient-
  
  but since you ask for more………..I suspect NO answer will be sufficient, and you will find excuse to deny or disbelieve, and thats fine-
  
  but please do not malign good people for your lack of understanding.
  
  -how about an iron head that floats?
  -how about a man walking through a door?
  -how about a flood punishing all mankind and an ark housing 8 people?
  -how about the first earthquake swallowing up an entire family?
  -how about the first rainbow with an explanation of what a rainbow is?
  -how about men giving life and blood for a cause of an afterlife?
  -how about a ship that appeared at the shore traversing time and space?
  
  right these do not count as they are fairy tales??
  AS I said, no answer will ever be good for you, for u do not have a mind receptive to truth
  
  anyway, how about
  -the wisdom of Solomon?
  -the creation of stars?
  -the naming of the animals?
  -the explanation of sin???
  
  -the fact that you have nothing to trade for YOUR sin???
  
  all proofs of the divine
  
  -how about ‘in God we trust??
  -how about the hatred of that little piece of real estate called Israel???
  -again I ask
  how aboiut the iron head that floats,
  
  and a thousand other proofs that you will mock, ignore, deny, and laugh at.
  
  But I’m honored to address such a wonderful sceptic, do what u will with these words, but I’m certain mockery
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:50am
  John, what you posted are just claims from an ancient collection of religious writings. Other religions had supernatural claims. So yeah, I won’t consider yours as compelling, . . . . . but it isn’t “mocking”. Neither do I use your beliefs as a source for laughter. I do deny the implications christianity insists upon me about it. Big difference.
  
  Am I “unreachable”? Perhaps I am, . . . but not out of rebellion. But what WOULD reach me is something that I would find as undeniable. If a god is real [and is as your religion claims] and cares about me and my “eternal soul”, . . . and considering my personal life experience and what affects me [because we all are different], . . . then this god must do more for people like me. . . IF this god cares more about me accepting him than me burning in an eternal fire when I see nothing credible in the claims of men.
  
  Romans 1:20 makes a claim. “Invisible qualities” being “clearly seen”. If they WERE “clearly seen”, we wouldn’t be having this debate. Show me the “invisible qualities” that are “clearly seen”! Explain how viewing nature shows [without a doubt] that “a jewish god sent ‘his son’ to die for sins, and believing that will gain you eternal life”. That is what must be assumed from the text. A simple deistic view of the world would not excuse you!
  
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- Romans828Guy
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:56am
  @Deavonreye, I am aware of the concept of natural selection. Things do adapt to become better suited to the environment. This is another testament to the greatness and complexity of God’s creation. There is great diversity in each “kind”. However, there is no evidence of one “kind” becoming a different “kind”. Dogs don’t become cats, fish don’t become birds. Evolution “theory” is the atheist religion. It can’t be proven. Therefore, it is just a theory or opinion…just as you label Christianity.
  
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- john vincent
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:58am
  drye
  
  predicable retort, but thank you for referencing rom. 1-
  
  ‘invisible things?’ clearly seen?
  how about your conscience????
  
  Animals cannot sin- you can, and u know it- ‘clearly seen,’ —-creation – ‘clearly seen’
  
  back to the idea about the pottery questioning the ‘potter,’ that is between you and the potter-
  
  I’m only relaying information
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 12:26pm
  And what I am saying, John, is that IF “the potter” is actually real, then it cannot condemn me ethically when “he” remains hidden, obsure, left to interpretation, vague, silent, etc.
  
  And yes, perhaps my comment wasn’t new for you. Likewise. That shouldn’t be all that shocking for either of us, though, right? You have a well defined belief system. My denial of its claims only manifests in certain ways.
  
  Again, as per Romans 1:20, . . . anything we see in nature, or even your offered “conscience” . . . still must be able to show, without any doubt, the strict “salvation plan”. Deism wouldn’t qualify for that. So even IF a person viewed nature, knew that he/she felt bad when doing something wrong, and came to some conclusion that “something higher than me must be out there”, . . . they are still “without excuse” in that deism, . . . . or belief in some other god type being . . . or beings [gods and goddesses].
  
  RomansGuy, . . . small changes IS the only form of evolution. “Macro-evolution” is really a creationist invented word. Small changes over time is what evolutionary theory states as the answer for the diversity of life on the planet. So, a dog WON’T turn into a cat. However, a ancient branch could have eventually seen these two types of animals out of one type. It is far more comlicated. Do a search on websites like talkorigins.org
  
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- Evan B
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 12:34pm
  DEAVONREYE – I think I get your dilemma, and not saying I pretend to know you. I am a very skeptical person by nature. It is difficult for me to believe a lot of things. However, when looking from the right perspective (and I do not mean right as in the correct way) evidence of God, or a creator is all around us. Just the way everything fits together seamlessly. Yes, under the microscope the individual pieces of the puzzle can be seen, but who designed and created the puzzle?
  I can only speak for myself, but my concern for others and their belief is genuine. In the same way if I truly believed you were about to be ran over by a truck and for some reason you could not see it I would do my best to convince you that it was coming and you need to do something. If you refused to believe me I would eventually tackle you to save you from the coming truck (yes, I copied this from Penn Jillette). Of course I will not tackle or try and force anyone to believe the way I do, but I hope the dramatic illustration gives you a glimpse into why some Christians push so hard. We believe a hypothetical truck is coming and you need to do something.
  Here is the point I was making from a known atheist. http://youtu.be/owZc3Xq8obk
  
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- john vincent
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 12:53pm
  drye-
  
  last post here-
  good talk-
  
  - No offense, but you asked for a list of ‘divine’ possibilities, and I gave you many proofs, all unique to scripture, although there were as you know, various accounts of as flood-
  
  -Adam was by far the most intelligent man—I do not recall hearing another account of an iron head floating- the rainbow is divine, although seemingly natural- but your own reference to Rom 1 is the only place you need to go—–get a grip on that and all else is clear– no other man had the wisdom of
  Solomon (cut the baby in half) and no man loved as did Christ–
  
  -invisible things, clearly seen—so that they are without excuse——this answers man questions totally
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 12:53pm
  Evan, . . . .see, that is good stuff there. I have no problems with people’s beliefs, or when they promote them in my direction. And I appreciate the care people can have for others, . . . because IF you are right, an eternity in hell would be a horrible existence. I don’t believe any truly ethical deity would do such a thing, based upon our current knowledge, but I respect your willingness to “tackle”.
  
  When I post what I do, . . . it isn’t an attack on the person, but on concepts that I have struggled with for many years. I hope no one takes them AS a personal attack.
  
  Report this comment
- kujo55
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 1:18pm
  Amazing that people will accept evolution as truth when there is no evidence only theory to support it.
  
  If you were to look at a house no one would think to himself it just happened, they would automatically know there was someone who built/created it, but if your looking at the world /universe (infinitely more complex) it COULD NOT be created it had to just happen.
  
  You have more faith then i, but in the end every knee SHALL bow. I pray it is not to late before you do.
  
  The main reason people have issue with the Bible and God is because it shows them they don’t meet the standard. Fortunately God sent Jesus to die so you could meet the standard.
  
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- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 1:49pm
  Kujo, . . . in science, a theory can only be called that when it DOES have evidentiary support.
  
  Using “the way of the master” style of arguments doesn’t work. A house is known to have a builder because we actually SEE people building it. . . . and painting a painting . . . and constructing a jetliner.
  
  As for HOW the universe came to be, . . . because that answer isn’t answered in our current state of technology, . . . stating that it had to have been magically spoke into existence is no different than ancient men who believed that a god commanded lightning as per where it should strike.
  
  As for “meeting a standard”, . . . I am often glad I don’t meet the standards of many religions. But may I ask you what that “standard” is . . . what it means to you?
  
  Finally, I don’t see the doctrine of “Jesus’s death” the same as christianity does. It would be one of those things that christians would accuse me of “bashing the faith” about, so I’ll just leave it alone.
  
  Report this comment
- Dan_o
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 2:06pm
  DReye said, ” I don’t believe any truly ethical deity would do such a thing”
  
  This is what Paul said on this subject in the book of Romans:
  
  [21] Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?[22] What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, [23] in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory(Romans 9:21-23 ESV)
  
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- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 2:13pm
  Dan, . . . I honestly don’t really care about what “Paul” said, but IF that was what the writer actually believed, then it is highly unethical to make “vessels of destruction”, regardless of whether or not this “all powerful being” CAN do it or not. Sure, such a being could do it, . . . but it couldn’t do it ethically JUST because it could. Ultimate power is only a power. It isn’t [therefore] right.
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 2:24pm
  Drye- the problem about an ethical deity sending people to hell is one nearly all unbelievers struggle with and it’s understandable for sure. At least you’re more open than Mod is. I can try and explain if you wish…
  
  The bottom line is…. “God is too good for many people to understand.”
  
  What I mean is that God doesn’t accept anything below perfection. That’s how good he is. It’s like trying to sign up to fight with the “good guys” and they sorry we only allow you into our army if you are perfect. That’s how good he is. God can’t change his character to accept sin, it’s just the way he is. It’s like asking positives and negatives in electricity not to attract to each other. It just won’t happen. However, God loves humanity so much that he found another way to “pardon” people’s sins per se so they could still be with him in paradise while not compromising his character nad that’s where Jesus comes into the picture.
  
  So when you say I can’t see an ethical God sending people to hell what you are really saying is why doesn’t God just accept some degree of evil/sin into his paradise? That’s what you’re asking of him. Let me know if you have any further questions. Glad I can assist. :D
  
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- Dan_o
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 2:27pm
  DReye,
  
  I understand what you are saying, but the point is if there is a creator God, you don’t get to define what is ethical, He does.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 2:58pm
  DLV, I understand the doctrine you are mentioning here. However, there is an issue I have with the notion of “a god who expects us to be perfect”. Unless a person’s very makeup is changed [to where they are no longer who they used to be], they will never be “perfect”, even if [somehow] sin was eliminated from the mix. Not sure how that would even happen, though, because it isn’t an issue of “the devil made me do it”. Humanity is what it is. . . . and IF this existence was purposefully made by a god, yet the god expects perfection, then no one will ever be able to satisfy that criteria unless that person’s TRUE essence is destroyed, leaving something other than what they are.
  
  There is also a few places in scripture that shows a “less than perfect god”.
  
  Then there is the issue of . . . IF this god is perfect and could never “sin”, it could have no common frame of reference in which TO rightly judge man.
  
  Dan, once again, just because some being has “ultimate power”, it doesn’t make it moral or ethical JUST due to its “power”. Would rape be ethical if an ultimately powerful god said it was okay to do so, AND even commanded it?
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 3:18pm
  Drye- Unless a person’s very makeup is changed [to where they are no longer who they used to be], they will never be “perfect”, even if [somehow] sin was eliminated from the mix.”
  
  Ahhh see God is not expecting perfection from us. He expects us to sin, but he just can’t accept anything less than perfection to get into heaven. It’s just the reality of it.
  
  Not sure how that would even happen, though, because it isn’t an issue of “the devil made me do it”.
  
  It’s not. God doesn’t accept the excuse the devil made me do it. He judges us based on our actions not the devil. He is just the ultimate evil in the background helping in leading us astray that’s really his role. Really it is the ultimate evil he can do. But nonetheless, people can’t invoke that excuse.
  
  “”. Humanity is what it is. . . . and IF this existence was purposefully made by a god, yet the god expects perfection, then no one will ever be able to satisfy that criteria unless that person’s TRUE essence is destroyed, leaving something other than what they are.”
  
  Well we were born perfect, God didn’t make us with a disability. The test was actually in our favor. We just had not eat from one tree and we blew it.
  The fact is God doesn’t make robot creatures, he makes free willed creatures which lends me to believe as long as it’s not sinful people can do what they want. Cont.
  
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- DLV
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 3:25pm
  I had a conversation with Mod about this, and I’m not sure if any God through. I can only hope. The point was that God made us perfect so we could be with him but he that he doesn’t make robot creatures. Even I think the angels have free will since Satan was able to choose to rebel against God interestingly enough. My theory is that when God destroys evil, he is still giving us free will again but no will have the urge to do disobey him again. People will look back and say “holy crap look at what happened to humanity when we disobeyed God. I’m sure as hell not doing that again. It’s like there is a do not touch bottom in your presence and as you’re about to push it, you see a vision in your head that if you push that button, nukes will launch and will destroy the world. So you quickly back away. I think when God makes the universe new again humanity will have a back drop and think jeez we aren’t disobeying God again. Look what happened…
  
  There is also a few places in scripture that shows a “less than perfect god”.
  
  I assure you God is abiding by his own perfect rules. But if you have any examples roll them out and I’ll try my best to clear them up for you. Cont.
  
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- DLV
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 3:26pm
  Then there is the issue of . . . IF this god is perfect and could never “sin”, it could have no common frame of reference in which TO rightly judge man.”
  
  Ahh Jesus came down and did the whole human experience and faced the temptation just like Adam did and passed the test. The troubling thing was he ran the risk of sinning. One of the biggest tests, he went through was Satan’s temptation. Read up on it. It’s fascinating. He almost failed.
  
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- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 3:52pm
  DVL, I understand all the doctrine you are typing out here. I really do. And I appreciate you taking the time to relay it, . . . but I just have a differing opinion on the topic. I don’t really want to elaborate much because I feel that a person should “walk their own road/path” . . . . and that somethings are best left up to a person’s own discovery [such as with me]. I may state what I feel, but you may not agree or understand, and that’s fine, but all the doctrinal issues you answered with are understood by me.
  
  Maybe if these forums had a far better emulator, it would help with discussions like this that go long, but as it is, theBlaze is hardly the place for lengthy debates. I’ll just say, . . . thanks for the concern on your part, and on the part of others who do care. That is far more valuable than a silent/hiding deity. :-)
  
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- Dan_o
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 3:59pm
  DReye,
  
  It isn’t about power, but whether or not He is the Creator. If He created the universe, then by definition He creates morality and He is God. The Creator, not the creature, defines morality.
  
  If He was solely a very powerful being or the most powerful being and therefore declared himself God, then you and I would be in agreement.
  
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- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 4:10pm
  Dan, we’ll have to disagree on this. A being can absolutely be all powerful, yet not at all moral/ethical. There is no guarantee that such a being would be.
  
  Again, these are topics that just don’t work well in these forums. Badly emulated. But rest assured that I fully understand the christian doctrines you all have given. Thanks for the concern.
  
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- DLV
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 4:14pm
  Drye- No problem, I’m concerned of course but so is God and I think he uses people like me to set the truth straight. But you’re welcome! :). He isn’t silent you just have to take the time in your busy life to hear him. I remember going on a 12 day wilderness trip that my christian college required, and though it was hell, I’m glad I did it and learned a lot from him especially since a good portion of it for me was so miserable because it was raining 90 percent of the time, but still I try to think God throws obstacles in our way so we can overcome them which is not a bad thing!
  
  The only thing is I just want to make sure there isn’t any misrepresentations of Christianity. Trust me much of the time Christians do it just as much as non-believers. It can be hard to get the record straight sometimes…
  
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- Dan_o
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 4:40pm
  DReye,
  
  If you don’t want to continue because the forum is awkward, np. I agree, but this is what we have to work with. I’m not trying to beat a dead horse here, but based on your reply it makes me think you don’t understand my point. It is not that He is JUST all powerful. He is Creator. Now, I totally understand you don’t agree with that statement, but it is key to point.
  
  If a being who created EVERYTHING does not determine morality, then where does morality come from?
  
  Stated another way, if you create a game from scratch and created a rule that says you can’t be off-sides, who are the players to say you (the game’s creator) are wrong and that law is immoral? When you ask the players why it is immoral, they have nothing else to cite, no other point of reference.
  
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- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 1:51am
  @DLV
  
  Rest assured my friend. Nothing you said came through to me.
  
  You still couldn’t refute my point that an almighty God CHOSE to have sin destroyed by a human sacrifice. Of all the ways he could have gotten rid of sin, he chose a human sacrifice.
  
  I still maintain that your God is either an idiot or evil for choosing that way.
  
  That isn’t something you can refute with any evidence or rational argument. It’s just something we’re going to disagree on.
  
  I still enjoyed the conversation though.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 9:41am
  Dan, . . . I DO get what you’re saying. Truly. It just isn’t something I agree with. Just because a rule is made by an ultimate power, it doesn’t [therefore] make the rule “moral”. Let’s look at a couple of 10 commandments. Don’t kill and don’t steal. All good, . . . unless it was overturned by the one making the rule, of course. Don’t kill. . . . . . “unless it is a bunch of non-believers in a land that I promised you”. Don’t steal . . . . “unless it is the stuff from the people I commanded you to conquer”. It’s all subjective, . . . . based upon the whims of this “ultimate power”. As I said, an “ultimate power” doesn’t make it right just because it has that level of power. It just makes it rather like a dictatorship.
  
  Mod, . . . I didn’t want to go to that place, . . . but it really is a valid point.
  
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- Dan_o
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 10:19am
  Haha, it IS a dictatorship. It’s His way or the highway. I don’t know why you refuse to say Creator instead of all powerful. There is a huge difference. I know you don’t agree with either, but they are not the same.
  
  It’s not surprising you find Christ’s willing sacrifice offensive. Nobody wants to admit they fall short of God’s standard and they can’t do it on their own.
  
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- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 12:05pm
  Awww you guys made mod feel left out
  
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- LiveIt
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 2:13pm
  You guys are all ignoring the point:
  faith IS the substance… faith IS the evidence (Hebrews 11:1)
  There is no other substance, no other proof, there never will be, because it requires FAITH. You can scream the Bible all you want, but it is GOD that gives understanding. It is FAITH that gives it proof.
  
  Secondly, “Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Timothy 2:23)
  
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- Dan_o
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 3:25pm
  Agree completely, Liveit. If anything I said was construed as strife, it was not meant to be. 1 Peter 3:13-17 (verse 15 in particular) is/was my aim.
  
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- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 9:40pm
  You’re right, Dan. We aren’t going to agree on this. I fully understand where you’re coming from. I lived that life, once. However, I understand things differently now. It has nothing to do with what YOU think my motives are.
  
  Arguments aren’t going to win anything here, it would appear. But yes, the idea of something dying horribly and bloody is offensive . . . in that it would be required before the ultimate power is satisfied. Satisfied!! At a bloody corps! Don’t white wash it! Was it really the only thing this entity could come up with? Seems ALL too . . . human in nature, if you ask me. It’s why things are considered “demonic” . . . or “devil worshipping” . . . when you hear about human sacrifices.
  
  “Nobody wants to admit they fall short of God’s standard”. What exactly does that mean? What “standard” would that be?
  
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- peaceangel
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 9:56pm
  People love or deny the Bible who have actually studied the history of and how we got the King James Version of the Bible which is the ONE most Christians follow. I studied and wrote extensively about this topic in high school and college. If you take this journey and actually get translations of the LOST AND DISCARDED BOOKS OF THE BIBLE and learn how many times the old and new testament have been EDITED and TRANSLATED from one man and one language to another man or men and another language.
  
  If you have ever learned another language— take Spanish for instance, you KNOW that the English language has ten times more words in their dictionary and vocabulary than the Spanish. Period. And every time we got a new version of the original separate books of the Bible men edited it and changed it and left out 7 entire books.
  
  What I know that got edited out that would totally have changed the world is the FACT that we reincarnate and will be held accountable in each and every new life for our sins in the past lifetime.
  What I know got edited out of the Bible was the FACT that there is one and only one way to HEAVEN and that is by way of LOVE and LOVE only. Until or unless every person LOVES every other person they encounter in their lifetime, THEY WILL NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. If they leave this lifetime having raped, murdered, stolen and screwed over everyone they met in this lifetime there are lots of first hand accounts about NDE of ppl who died and went to Hell.
  
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- Dan_o
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 11:03pm
  I think I’m being misunderstood, so I’m going to bow out.
  
  PeaceAngel, please don’t make such claims without citing sources.
  
  Report this comment
Locked
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:29am
When I was a young man the Bible was taught in school. In literature class or a general “religions of the world” class. I’ve asked my nephews and nieces if this is still the case, and they’ve said that as recently as the early 2000s this was still the case (one actually thanked me for the Bible lessons as a child, because it made 9th grade English easier when they reviewed some Old Testament stories).

I agree that the Bible should be taught in a historical, general religion, or literary context. Taught as the “Gospel Truth?” Definitely not in a public school; I don’t trust teachers to get the message right, even if the words are there.

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- Atrum Angelis
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:13am
  I whole-heartedly agree. It should be taught, as it provides context to much of the history of Europe and the Americas (and the world for that matter). And without context, what is the point of learning history? You need to understand the context of events to understand the mechanisms that caused the event in the first place. Without knowing the forces behind it, history becomes “Germany invaded Poland” or “European armies marched on Jerusalem.”
  
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- ScienceGirl
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 7:06pm
  The problem is that the folks pushing the Bible in public schools have an agenda. They don’t want to teach the Bible as a literary work, they want to evangelize on the sly. There is nothing academic about their agenda.
  
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fyrworks23
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:17am
In 2004 Congress passed a Public Law that stated that every Sept 17 is to be Constitution Day and the 17th-23rd Constitution week. The law reads that EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS receiving federal dollars must implement some form of celebratory program to educate and show honor to the U.S. Constitution. I have not found yet one school that does this yet it is a law from Congress and schools still receive federal funds. That’s enough to tell you how serious the gov’t values and esteems the Constitution in our nation.

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- Gonzo
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:30am
  Anyone see O’Reilly telling this couple that the Bible is all allegory the other night? I wish they would have asked him how much of Christ’s life, death and resurrection is “allegory”.
  
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- oneshiner
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:10am
  GONZO: This surprised me about O’Reilly too. Has anyone else noticed that O’Reilly has changed?
  Can’t put my finger on it entirely, but he’s just different, to the point I’m considering dropping him.
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:58am
  I’m curious if his opinion is the opinion of the Catholic church. He makes it clear regularly that he’s Catholic.
  
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- VanceUppercut
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 5:03pm
  @Gonzo
  
  Hey, I’ve got a story for you. There was this guy who was born on December 25th. It was a virgin birth, and the man was considered to be a savior who was slain for the salvation of mankind. His body as bread was eaten by his worshippers. He was both the Divine Son and the Father. He was crucified, and his holy blood ran down to redeem the earth. Three days later he arose from the dead. That man’s name? That’s right, you guessed it–Attis of Phrygia. Also, there’s Horace–born in December to a virgin mother. He walked on water, cast out demons, healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, was crucified, and was resurrected after three days. And there’s Glycon, who: came to Earth through a miraculous birth, was the Earthly manifestation of divinity, came to earth in fulfillment of divine prophecy, and gave believers the power to speak in tongues, performed miracles, healed the sick, and raised the dead. Also Dionysus, who was born of a virgin on December 25 and, as the Holy Child, was placed in a manger. And then there’s Zoroaster…and well, you get the picture.
  
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- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 12:07pm
  http://youtu.be/FhXz60f0HLU
  
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- LiveIt
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 2:30pm
  @ Vance, your “facts” were made up by people in the last century who thought they could debunk thousands of years of historical research. Didn’t anyone tell you not to believe everything you see on the internet? It makes me sick how suddenly everyone’s a ‘biblical scholar’ because they found some crap claiming to prove it wasn’t true. Do your own research.
  http://www.alwaysbeready.com/index.php?id=124&option=com_content&task=view
  
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john vincent
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:08am
Ms Downey is merely commenting on a neglected fact, and that is the bible, and its influence on America, is largely denied and ignored. For God’s sake, look at the marquee inside the Harrisburg capitol and the inscriptions thereof. References one upon another to the law of God and how this relates to the fabric of American govt.

Only a fool would argue the validity of the bibles effects on men generally, and here in America specifically. Downey cited Ben Hur,’ Sistine Chapel,’ AA, Salvation Army, and you can add a thousand of your own- I’ll add one: the Ping golf Corp founded by Karsten Solheim, after which the cup was named.

Truth be told, there is an unwarranted fear of the word ‘bible’ in the public domain, lest there be anathema attached! But it is one of ignorance, for I have proved that there is no ‘church’ represented when we say ‘in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Good men do not find fault with the idea of a Creator.

Go ahead and teach a world created by ????go ahead and teach evolution as an option. The thoughtful soul is not fearful of differing points of view, but Downey is drawing attention to the history and importance of the ‘books’ influence of Americas culture, law, entertainment, art, morals, and of course spiritual life. To argue against this, and ignore this history, is turning a blind eye to facts and common sense.

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chris72sax
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:49am
I think the public schools should be banned. Children could learn a lot more through the Internet and a weekly meeting with a tutor. With all the technology and money spent on education, the finest education in the world should be free, even college.

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- decendentof56
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:04am
  FREE!…..Who’s paying for the tutor and the college prof’s?
  Oh…you mean “free” like the food stamps, education costs for welfare and illegals imm’s.
  
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- Stu D. Baker-Hawk
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:24am
  Free? What’s with you people and your ‘free this’ and ‘free that’? NOTHING in life is FREE! You (or somebody else — and lately it seems that somebody else has been ME) is going to pay for your ‘free’ one way or the other. Time to grow up… time to be an ADULT.
  
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cashprize
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:48am
I find the brainwashing, even among some educated Americans, simply astonishing. Especially when I see many professing Christians who should have learned to prove all things by logic and correct information, buy into the Idea that Macro Evolution is fact.

I majored in Physics in college. I found it easy to defeat my professors concerning Design and evolutionary questions.

There are two dirty little secrets that most have had brainwashed into them over the years,erroneously. Here are those dirty secrets:
http://www.examiner.com/article/is-modern-science-the-logical-way-to-look-at-the-world-part-1-of-2

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- GUYFROMMAINE
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:55am
  Just wondering… are you talking about how evolutionists theorize that micro-evolution leads to macro-evolution?
  
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- neffy812
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:31am
  TO GUYFROMMAINE:
  Theorize? Are you serious? You’re psychotic (All of you are) if you really believe that micro-evolution can happen without macro-evolution. All it takes is a lot of time. In science (the only one that makes any sense whatsoever compared to religion), there is no distinction between micro and macro-evolution. There is only evolution, and it’s already been proven a long time ago. It’s really sad that all of you pathetic religious nutjobs still hold on to such a horrible superstitious waste of time like religion for so long after you’ve been proven wrong. There is no heaven, and there is no hell, and there is no devil trying to convince you to do bad things or an invisible “good guy” watching you to punish you when you slip and do something bad.
  
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- Stu D. Baker-Hawk
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:31am
  Majored in Physics, huh? Okay, I just got one little question for you, Mr. I’m Educated: Where did all this come from? Where did the ‘stuff’ that ignited the supposed “Big Bang” originate? Can your Physics background give us all a clue? Because without citing a higher being (i.e., God Almighty) I can’t for the life of me think anybody could answer that one little, nagging question.
  
  That’s what I thought. You don’t know dick.
  
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- Pigdowndog
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:31am
  Stu D. Baker-Hawk. Science is working on the question of where everything came from but just because they haven’t found the answer yet doesn’t give you licence to plug that gap in knowledge with a magic man.
  You need verifiable evidence for that extraordinary claim and you have sod all.
  If everything needs a “creator” then who created your special friend?
  
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- Stu D. Baker-Hawk
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:11am
  @PIGDOWNDOG: I absolutely guarantee you that ‘science’ will NEVER be able to answer where everything came from without finally throwing in the towel and bowing to the Highest Power in the universe (i.e., God Almighty). And my extraordinary evidence for my extraordinary claim? Well, the very fact that you and I are going one-on-one on this issue. This is NO random chance of atoms and molecules that resulted in us and all we know; there is a supreme being that is binding existence in its totality together, and I dare YOU to prove ME wrong. I pray that one day the scales will fall from your eyes and you’ll see the truth, and then maybe you can expend your energies on things that are REALLY important, like battling the Evil that has consumed this world so completely.
  
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- DLV
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:19am
  I have to ask why there are so many atheists on this website if they hate it so much? Are all atheists trolls? That’s the feeling I’m getting here. Honestly, if I were an atheist I would NOT be wasting my time here.
  
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- GUYFROMMAINE
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:38am
  @NEFFY812
  Calm down. Just asking a question, but since you brought it up. It is called the theory of evolution by evolutionists. If you are saying that evolution is an absolute fact, than call it that. Personally, I believe evolution to be a lie, and God’s Word to be true. Now to you, that automatically means I am a nutjob, and probably a crazy person who is being brainwashed by my pastor. Of course you believe these things without knowing me or what goes on in my heart and head. So I am a nutjob not based on reason or fact, just your opinion. But I digress. Please “enlighten” me on how you believe it all began. Where did the matter and energy come from that produced life? Now I do know that life produces life and life can die, thus becoming non-life, but I have never seen non-life produce life. But what we apparently must believe is that non-life through great forces and, dare I say, laws of nature ( which too were just here), produced life. And not just any life, but one that evovled into many greater forms of life until today. Of course, science really can’t prove this because even if scientists could replacate this, it wouldn’t prove the theory. Why? Because apparently it all happened without any intelligent input whatsoever. And last I knew, non-life just doesn’t turn into a living thing, except that one time when it all began.
  
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- ripple effect
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 12:12pm
  to Neffy
  I heard a theoretical Physicist I saw on Television one night given the question directly. What do you believe, evolution or creationism. He simply replied, “Do the math, Creationism would happen twice before evolution would be remotely possible.” Quite pragmatic and to the point.
  To Deavon
  Dawkins was challenged and had no answer when asked why he supports the breaking of the genetic code which contains less than 5% of actual knowledge, but refutes God when History contains more than 5% of facts to back up the scriptures.
  
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fyrworks23
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:42am
Prior the founding of our gov’t thru the Constitution, from about 1692 forward into the early 20th century, The New England Primer, along with the Bible, was taught in Americas schools. This Primer relied on biblical texts to teach students how to read and write. The Founders later expressed that without religion, morality and knowledge the nation would suffer. They wanted the Bible to be taught from in the schools. Franklin openly endorsed and promoted The Primer in PA schools. All of the founders believed Christianity and the Bible were essential pillars in the education system. Several Founders prophecied what would happen were the Bible removed from schools. You can match to perfection our current days woes to the words they spoke of. When you remove the strongest instrument of teaching virtues and morals and which speaks to the heart you will have a downfall. Our schools are plagued with violence, selfishness, cold hearts and lack of respect for the birth of our nation. The Founders spoke highly of the need to keep God in the schools and we must return to those values or we will forever be a lost nation. I can provide exact citations to anyone wanting them. THEY WANTED GOD IN THE SCHOOLS.

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:50am
  if we had americans that would vote for Ben Franklin or Thomas Jefferson you would have a point. But we have americans that vote for Obama and Romney so we are not made of the same stuff as in 1780.
  
  Government schools used to be run by the community and they had a shared, genuine, concern for the teaching of the studients. Now teachers are basically federal agents authorized through your state and they are often unionized….Do you think biblical teachings would fare well in that environment?
  
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- fyrworks23
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:13am
  Yes I believe even under Federal control the Bible would fare well in that environment. How? This won’t change overnight, but we have to start somewhere. The process of educating our students about our heritage will slowly change the culture. The liberal leftists have done this oh so well over the last several decades, it may take decades to win it back but there is no better time than now to start. Mandate teachers to teach our h eritage of using the Bible, give control back to the communities and tie federal dollars to schools who show they are taking the course to return to our heritage. Schools are bending over backwards today to get fed dollars by making our kids eat food the don’t want that has no carbs. Schools will bend over backwards if we get people in there who love the constitution and restore order to the insanity that has been happening in this nation since 1948. The ship will turn thru small progress but it will turn. Today is a day to start the turning of a new course.
  
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- john vincent
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:13am
  -works 23
  
  Imagine a suit filed by they who argue that the massacre in Newtown was related to the fact God is not welcome in the schools………..and if there was fear ofGod, perhapes there would not be so much ungodly acts…
  
  But you are right, the bible was ever the quintessential learning material for excellent grammar, meaning of words, morals, history- and most importantly, accountability to a Creator
  
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ColoradoMaverick
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:35am
I took a Bible Literature class in a public High School and it was great. The Bible is the greatest story ever told. It is part of the worlds history and it absolutely should be taught in all schools.

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- gac1218
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:50am
  Should the Bible be taught? Absolutely. Should it be mandated? No. God doesn’t even mandate that we read His word. He stongly suggests we read and put it’s practices into place for our own good and the good of the world. It should be offered as an elective in school. Forcing it into schools or forcing it out of schools are both wrong. Offer it and see what happens.
  
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- Verceofreason
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:39am
  Just not in science class.
  No problem.
  It’s a great READ.
  
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- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 1:57pm
  I agree with all sentiments found in this tangent.
  
  Let’s think outside the box for a moment, why should the government be involved in public schooling at all? Public education is a 20th century invention. Not to mention, ahem, there is NO constitutional authority for government, state or otherwise, to involve it’s self in schooling.
  
  Why have public education at all, should be the topic at hand. All this broohaha about church, state and the first amendment is a waste of valuable time.
  
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lonwarner2
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:33am
The reason schools don’t want the Bible in their classrooms is because it will disrupt everything they have been teaching for years. They are afraid some child or teenager might believe what the Bible says and confront them in the classroom disputing what they have been teaching.

I say YES! It’s about time the Bible was brought back into the classroom.

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- fyrworks23
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:50am
  When the Supreme court ruled against posting the 10 Commandments in the schools the cited something to the effect that a child might read them and obey them. This is no joke. They were concerned that a non christian or godly person would read something Godly and abide by its teachings and thereby the gov’t endorsed a religion that influenced a skull full of mush. Indeed you are correct. They fear the Bible for it certainly will undo their secular humanistic teachings that each individual is God accountable to no one but himself and that moral relativism is wrong.
  
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1_Smoot_Tall
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:29am
The problem is not that the Bible is not taught. The problem is that so many things are taught that oppose the Bible – which is just as wrong. Establishing a doctrine that the Bible is false is establishing religion as well. This is why I believe none of our property taxes should be for Public Schools. It makes the schools financially compulsory and violates our rights to freedom of association and freedom of religion.

Any person wishing to send their child to a private school or to home school, should receive 100% of that portion of their property taxes set aside for Public Schools, as a refund. Or their taxes can be reduced in the first place.

Then the parents can make sure their child is taught correct principles as their beliefs dictate without fear of financial hardship.

The way schools are operating now, en loco parentis; against the beliefs, best interests, and relationship of the child, with the parents, they should be prosecuted for Parental Alienation.

Parental alienation: the systematic alienation of a child from one parent, purposely caused by the other parent. The words and actions of one parent in effect poison the child against the other parent. Because of the special position of trust that a parent is in, this manipulation can unfortunately occur quite easily.

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jackact
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:22am
It’s going to take a lot more than public prayer to save the US department of education.
Praying for the re-institution of state’s rights to reform the entire corrupt system is more advisable.
Then we won’t have to worry so much about our children being employable in the future.

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- walnutportconservative
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:32am
  There should be NO Federal Education Department or NEA or whatever you wish to call the branch.
  As for me… I’ll use the term Government Schools, for what I get here in PA
  
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PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:17am
The Bible IS the Greatest book ever! It should be the very foundation of education and reference. I agree with this article totally. Absolute Truth exists or it does not exist; and, if it exists there can only be one source for it. Atheism is what allowed Lenin, Stalin Pol Pot and Mao Tse Tung to perform outrageous atrocities against their people. These murderers believed that nothing is necessarily and absolutely wrong and there are no ultimate consequences. We NOW have, because of LACK OF foresight and teaching…….A Symbiosis of Evil in government….and 0 is now a “Cult Leader” for the Marxists and Islamists. http://www.theconservativetreehouse.com/2013/02/28/former-kgb-agent-yuri-bezmenov-explains-our-four-stages-the-new-normal-2/

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- The_Doors_Of_Perception
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:25am
  The greatest book ever? How many books have you actually read?
  
  The foundation of our education? We are one of the most religious countries in the world…yet we are last in many categories, but we are first in confidence. We have some big countries to compete against, we need knowledgeable young adults.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:27am
  government schools dont even teach the constitution – what makes you think bible would fare any better?
  
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- ltb
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:03am
  The_Doors_Of_ImPerception, How many other books have sold over six billion copies? How many other books have been in print continuously since the invention of the printing press (BTW, the Bible inspired the printing press and was, of course, the first book ever printed on the printing press)? How many other books have been translated into over 1,300 different languages? By any standard, the Bible is the greatest book (it’s actually a collection of books) ever written.
  
  Also, America USE TO BE the most religious (i.e., most Christian) nation in the world, but now we are just another secular country that shoves God out of our State run schools and out of our government. Subsequently, the more secular we become, the more ignorant our society becomes. As a matter of fact, the SAT has had to be dumbed down numerous times since we removed the Bible from schools in the 60s, because we no longer teach children how to think, we teach them what to think. The SAT doesn’t even contain an analogies section anymore, since reasoning skills are not required when children are being indoctrinated and testing for reasoning skills was dragging down average national SAT scores. Oh and BTW, children who attend Christian schools score an average of 100 points higher on the SAT.
  
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- The_Doors_Of_Perception
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:33am
  Yeah the bible is and the Koran, The Communist Manifesto is right up there, and of course the Quotations of Chairman Mao. Hmmm….they are all so popular…they must be the truth
  
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- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:50am
  I love when Christians talk about the Bible and how popular it is……..yet they stole the first half of someone else’s book and claimed it as their own.
  
  Face it Christians, you stole the Jewish God and made it your own. You then have he gall to say, that the Jews killed your God….which is their God just in a different form.
  
  There is no getting around that fact.
  
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- Tractorboy
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 11:53am
  @MOD,
  Hey bud how’s it going? Let me try to enlighten you about the old Testament…Christains did Not steal the Jewish God, It’s the same God, Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophsies of the old Testament, the Pharisee’s denied that Jesus was the Massiah…hence where Christ followers come from… BTW some fun facts loosely remembered, Jesus fulfilled a est. 48 some say hundreds of old Testament prophsies, if you look up the mathmatical probabilty of one Man doing that, it would be 1 in 10 to 157 power, also if you look up the mathmatical probabilty of evolution with the scientist est. of the planet being 4.5 billion years old, you will find that it would take a lot longer than that for all the parts to come together to create life and all we have here, it’s been liken to the possibiltiy of a tornado going through a junk yard and a 747 being created from the chaos.
  
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- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 3:34pm
  Trac, you’re talking to a guy who equates prophecy with ordering fast food. He’s kind of a lost cause, which is why he rarely is replied to, despite occasional attempts.
  
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- ltb
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 6:07pm
  The_Doors_Of_Perception, you’re kind of a moron.
  
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- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 1:46am
  @TRACTORBOY
  
  No, I fully understand that you “Believe” it’s the same God.
  
  Fact is, their God had to exist for yours to exist.
  
  You therefore said “hey, your God is now our God, and you reject him? How dare you!?!?”
  
  Much like how Islam stole the Christian God, as Mormons did, and said “oh but now there’s even more to your God!”
  
  Fact is, you say that your God is the God of the Jews…….yet the Jews don’t recognize your God(Jesus) as being divine so therefore…..it’s not the same God.
  
  At least the Jews are consistent, they have one God. You have one God, in three persons, yet is still one God. NONSENSE!
  
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noslave
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:16am
i understand the logic?,looking at the inner-city school kids reverting to uncivilized natives from some undiscovered jungle,it was a natural reaction to send in missionarys,to try through religion,but most became a meal,so nowdays we’ll throw in a few bibles,they wont eat them???

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Thighmaster
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:11am
I find it strange that even though schools and religion are separate, there’s not much that goes on in schools on Sunday. Coincidence ? Shouldn’t Sunday be just like any other day in a government that is trying to rid us of Christianity ?

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Sil in CNY
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:09am
God Bless them…..they’ll be blacklisted because of this by the hollywood libs….but I think they have higher priorities.

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- Will-db
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:18am
  Yeah, lucrative speaking engagements with Christian groups! And no doubt a book deal offered by same groups.
  
  What they are saying is emminently sensible. OF COURSE the Bible should be taught. It is an extremely important book within our culture. But Christian groups will go one further and say that everything that’s taught in school should stem from the Bible, and rejected if it contradicts the narrow literal word of the Bible. Which is absurd and mirrors the nonsense we see in Islamofascist states, if somewhat less objectionable.
  
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The_Doors_Of_Perception
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:09am
I think the bible should be taught in school too…as well as all other relgions holy books. Teach them the history and how they came about.

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- naughtycal
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:17am
  I don’t think the bible such be taught as text. But it should be taught in how it’s teachings inspired the founders of this nation.
  
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- The_Doors_Of_Perception
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:28am
  Then we should aslo teach them how it didn’t inspire some and Thomas Paine’s “The Age of Reason” will be required reading…along with “Common Sense”.
  
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- naughtycal
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:53am
  Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was required reading in my 10th grade civics class. He77 I still have a copy of it and a copy of the Constitution I keep in a draw in behind my bar. I feel Paine’s idea of this country has been destroyed by global economic and as a result America has suffered always have felt this way.
  
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- naughtycal
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:14am
  Oh and for the record as you seem to have an hostility towards the christian teachings that helped found this country.No one ever said it was the sole foundation ,reason and common sense were also part of that foundation as well. But the founder did know that a Christian philosophy in still morality and morality is something that a free society must possess to stay free.
  
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- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 1:58pm
  Knowledge is power.
  
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GUYFROMMAINE
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:08am
The Bible will never be allowed to be taught in our public schools today. The Word of God goes against most of what is taught in public schools. And truth be told, those who tell us to accept diversity and different opinions will be the most vehemently against It. The Bible is too absolute in a world trying so hard to deny absolutes— be they physical or spiritual.

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- Verceofreason
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:43am
  Porn belongs in porn shops and
  the bible belongs in church.
  Facts belong in educational institutions.
  The Bible belongs in fiction class.
  
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marybethelizabeth
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:03am
The Bible has always been Hollywood fare. Blockbusters, Oscars, Million dollar productions.

Glenn Beck reads a long list of credits for the Producers of The Bible and then says they will have trouble finding work. But the list of credits is proof that trouble is not so.

This is just Mr. Beck’s nonsensical attempt at class warfare. The argument goes: “These Hollywood people are not like you. Since it is me telling you this, do what I say.” The problem is he’s always finding examples where this is not the case, like the theblaze article a few down where some Hollywood type called the President an Ivy league***. These proofs appear daily.

Does anyone who has read the Bible a few times need to see it interpreted through the eyes of the brains behind Shark Tank?

And in Mr. Becks promotion, he said his wife started to object to the blood and gore but it was over quick. This is the new Beck 5 second rule:

If you are not offended for at least 5 seconds, then you are not offended at all.

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- Zipit
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:44am
  WOW! MaryBeth actually shakes off the liberal hangover, and pens a thought at 8:03 in the morning! Nothing close to a cogent thought, but a thought nonetheless!
  
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- theotherberean
  Posted on March 2, 2013 at 7:32pm
  There is a lot of truth in your words MBE. The Mormons I know are preoccupied with sex and blood. Take for example polygamy, Celestial Marriage, blood atonement doctrines and secret, macabre temple ceremonies. Creepy stuff.
  
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searching for the Truth
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:02am
Yep ! All one would have is a magic act.

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- naughtycal
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:09am
  No what you would have is a deep look at how bibical teachings formed the founders idea for this country. How it helped formed the Constitution,how it inspired the declaration of independence.
  What you would have is the facts all of them. And then you could let the student form their OWN oppinions on how much the bible influence the formation of AMERICA
  
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- searching for the Truth
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:09am
  Sorry! Speaking to without the Bible.
  
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soybomb315_II
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 7:57am
why in the world would you want government employees teaching your child about the bible. Isnt that YOUR job?

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- hi
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:12am
  I kind of agree because the public school teachers would trash it. Bible courses taught at most universities trash the Bible. Students are usually unaware they signed up for Trash the Bible 101.
  
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- bethy85
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:16am
  Of course it’s the parents’ job to teach their children about the Bible. Parents, Sunday School teachers, pastors… they’re not advocating for religious teachings. My senior year in high school, my Advanced English/Literature teacher had petitioned the school board to be allowed to teach the Bible in our class for the very purpose outlined in Burnett/Downey’s letter; to teach the source of inspiration for such a vast array of paintings, books, plays, movies, etc. She never once preached to us, in fact, I am not sure she was very religious herself. If she was she never came off as such. She even had a huge stack of Bibles for each of us to be able to reference. It was an amazing course and definitely served its purpose. I agree, this should be taught in all public schools!
  
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- Zipit
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:19am
  Yeah SOY! That’s what it’s all about. Government employees teaching our kids about the Bible! Is that honestly all you came away from this article, and these two people’s point of view with? You are such a little (T I T)!!!!!
  
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biohazard23
Posted on March 1, 2013 at 7:53am
Cue the anti-religion/Bible/God screeching from the usual suspects in 3… 2… 1…

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- kaydeebeau
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:28am
  It’s still early – the trolls aren’t awake yet :) Check back around noon / 1 o’clock
  
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- The_Doors_Of_Perception
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:32am
  Cue the pro-religion/Bible is the perfect word of god/God lives in my heart screeching from the usual suspects in 3… 2… 1…
  
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- biohazard23
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:37am
  Ding ding ding – we have a winner, kids! Congratulations, Doors! May God bless you this day and always. :)
  
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- The_Doors_Of_Perception
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 8:51am
  You too Biohazard!!!!! May the force be with you!!!:)
  
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- biohazard23
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:16am
  Doors, :)
  
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- DeavonReye
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 9:57am
  Was I supposed to say something here? :-/
  
  Was this screeching enough? I . . I don’t know.
  
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- The_Doors_Of_Perception
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:35am
  @Deavon
  
  Yea my screeching first post was about how I too think the bible, with all the other religions holy books, should be taught in school too.
  
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- Pigdowndog
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 10:38am
  The_Doors_Of_Perception. Get used to it mate. We’ve had many many years of you god botherers spouting your nonsense so now it’s time to fight back.
  Keep your superstitious idiocy to yourself and we will go away but until then as you Yanks say.
  “Suck it up”.
  
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- DLV
  Posted on March 1, 2013 at 1:42pm
  Pig- you clearly don’t pay attention, Doors is an atheist/agnostic.
  
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