In a recent Northwestern News op-ed (“Public schools should teach about the Bible,” Feb. 24), a guest columnist took a stance on why he felt the Bible should be taught in public schools. As an early childhood and elementary education major, I could not disagree more.
While the teachings of the Bible are beneficial and relevant for some students, they do not represent students as a whole.
Forcing these religious teachings would be a disservice to those who do not consider themselves to be Christians.
One of the most important things taught to education majors is to differentiate our teachings to fit the diverse needs of all of our students.
Teaching the Bible without representing the religious beliefs and cultures of each student goes directly against how we are taught to build connections and ensure student success within our classroom.
The teaching of the Bible in school also opens the door to forced participation in religious practices that go against a student’s own personal beliefs.
Children should not have to feel pressured into participating in prayer, religious discussions or other practices, nor should they feel like an outcast because they chose not to participate.
While the Bible is made up of inspirational stories and lessons on morality, it is also full of murder, sex, betrayal and countless other topics that are not appropriate for a public school setting.
Individuals trained in religious teachings are better fit to teach the Bible than a teacher trained in public education whose main focus is student connection and core subjects.
By adding Biblical teachings to our standards, educators would be creating an imminent division between their students. With that would come a tension within the classroom between those who believe in these teachings and those who do not.
Children already have many diversities to learn to overcome and adjust to without forced teachings of a single side of religion.
— Ashley Hromas Roach, early childhood and elementary education major, Enid campus