Should children be taught the Bible throughout their education?

Should children be taught Bible stories? The Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, thinks they should. In an interview he calls the Old and New Testaments, "an essential piece of cultural luggage." Without it, he adds, students will struggle to fully understand literature.

It's an interesting thought. Children do learn RE in school: it's part of the national curriculum. But, as John Gay, from the Culhum Institute points out, that doesn't necessarily mean it's either taught well, nor that it is taught as "stories".

"R.E isn't primarily a subject to feed into other subjects," he says. "It's a subject in its own right." But Gay adds that it is "sad" that "the Christian cultural traditions and biblical traditions are not as known as they used to be."

Motion, who is an atheist, argues that children should be taught "great stories". He wants students to be given "crash courses" in great stories from Christianity and the Koran, to Greek and Roman myths. Bible stories like that of David and Goliath will inspire, he says, and he doesn't mean towards religious indoctrination.

"I am not for a moment suggesting that everybody be made to go to church during their childhood," he says. "But what I do think would be worth thinking about [is] how there could be some kind of general treatment of this all the way through a child's schooling."

Motion, Professor of Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London, is convinced that the imagery and grandeur of Biblical stories is vital for students of English literature. He says they have influenced story structures ever since they were first written down, and that great writers from Milton and John Donne to TS Eliot cannot be truly understand without biblical influences being taken into account.

"Take any of the metaphysical poets, almost any of the Victorian poets," he says. "Even reading the great romantics like Keats requires you to know things about the Fall, who some of the people in the Bible are, ideas of sinfulness and virtue. It's also essential for Tennyson, Browning and Arnold, and needs to be there in the background of the modernist period. Even a writer like TS Eliot is re-imagining all kind of mythological structures."

Dr Mark Robson is from the School of English Studies at Nottingham University. He agrees with Andrew Motion that there is a tradition within English literature dependent on a knowledge and familiarity with the Biblem and mentions Milton's Paradise Lost as an example. But Robson adds that any student without that biblical knowledge will still get a lot from classic works.

"Paradise Lost is infused with biblical narrative," he says, "but those who don't know the references will get something else from the book. They can still get the political edge and a sense of Milton's own argument."

Robson also points out the the Bible itself is open to many different interpretations and, although he says that he's happy for children and students to be taught "as much as possible", he's less inclined to see gaps as problems.

"A problem is also an opportunity," he says. "Gaps in knowledge can be very useful and it's often best in a classroom to come at a story in many different ways."

Read School Gate on:

An atheist father asks if creationism should be examined in science classes

Should faith schools admit children from other faiths?

Bullying because of religious faith

The story of the receptionist facing the sack after her daughter talked about Jesus in class.....Is all as it seems?

Comments

[Alan]

Yes, just as should Greek myths-but as myths. Dawkins in the Good Delusion rightly points out that one cannot properly understand Western Art without an appreciation of these stories.

[John]

Ah, the atheist rationality monopolists come out!! Of course they should be taught - stupid arguments about Genesis and Creationism aside, they contain the spiritual basis of Western Morality.

[Derek Smith]

We teach all sorts of myths and legends. To eliminate those with a religious basis would be to litter literature with footnotes and references as so much depends on a knowledge, albeit superficial, of Greek, Norse and Christian myths. It would be like not teaching Shakespeare. And would one ban nursery rhymes just because they are made up.

But they must be taught as myths. There's no bloke called Zeus in the clouds any more than there is one called Jehovah either.

Teach the history of religions as well. Without that one might think nazis were the greatest horror the world has produced.

I agree with the proposition. Thee's a lot of good sense and not just poetry in Motion.

[Nathalia Bell]

The stories have magical holy wisdom and should be taught to children, then they are given the opportunity to decide whether they want to continue following God or not. ie. the Gift of Will and Choice and there is no compulsion in religion.

[mike knoth]

with the ranks of the media seeminglyseeking to demean and ridicule anyone with religious belief particularly christians
teaching youngsters bible stories
might go a tiny way towards
redressing the balancetoo many believe religion is at the forefront of war(largely due to israel and palestine
if you take world war two and the 2 iraq wars into account+vietnam and many others theagenda is greed expansionism and regime change.Dawkins is far from an example of a level headed unbiased individualIf what is in the Bible is not true it is a series of harmless fables if it is true.....

[doug]

No problem providing it is strictly understood that the Bible is a work of fiction.

[Jim Vidmar]

Teach it! What is there to be afraid of? At the very least, it is the greatest handbook every written on human behavior, on what to do and what not to do. There will be those who accept it as truth, and those who reject it. But never should it be dismissed because it was never taught.

[Chris]

Religion has no place whatsoever in a secular curriculum. It is disgusting that we even consider allowing it to become a minor influence on any child's formative development.

[Paul]

I have read the Bible, but I would prefer if our children are taught practical "Stoic" values as brilliantly explained by Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations". "Meditations", written between 170-180AD, is the most practical philosophical handbook ever written (to this day), and is far more useful in dealing with life's trials and tribulations. Marcus Aurelius was the last of the "Five Good Roman Emperors" dealing with a multi-cultural empire in decline and showing tolerance to all Faiths including Christianity. In contrast, the Bible does not show tolerance and respect to other Faiths outside of Judaism and Christianity believing those other Faiths are fundamentally misguided.

[Bruce L. Northwood]

Stories that involve magic and a bearded wise guy in the sky should be taught in church. That is where that sort of nonsense belongs.

[Max]

Teach them of cthulhu and the necronomicon I say! It will probably do less harm than anything religious.

[connor]

wooo got plenty of religon haters on here dont we? i believe the bible i believe god created the world in 6 days and i believe we are all sinners and i believe i was saved by jesus christs death on the cross, and i believe the bible should be taught in school as the only way of salvation (as it is) like islam is taught in muslim countries. and the if the children chose the way of the world and of death thats there choice

[Stephanie]

This isn't about religion. It's about the Bible as literature. If you examine literature and media and everyday speech even, biblical allusions are prominent. It doesn't mean you have to be a Christian (are you afraid it will corrupt you into becoming one?) Look at Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail story line, or the TV show Lost, or the Da Vinci Code. Understanding biblical stories will open up a richer understanding of the world. Strength like Samson, she was a Jezebel, doubting Thomas, a David and Goliath story, he walked on water. Think about how many times people use these phrases. Turning a blind eye to this sounds like a bunch of narrow-mindedness, if you ask me.

[Kind David]

No!

Once you start "teaching" the Bible, parents, preachers, angry people of other faiths, will come out of the woodwork.

The Bible is goofy as literature anyway.

[Russ]

There are many great stories in the Bible that explain much about human nature. Many of our laws basically come from the Bible. Should the whole Bible be taught in secular schools? No, it need not be. We still have people who believe the Earth is flat and that man never went to the moon. The list could go on. Even an Athiest would have to admit that many things written in the Bible are useful in maintaining our civilization and that these things are codified in our laws. I don't believe that everything written in the Bible actually happened, or is exactly as written, but it was the best explanations they had back then with the information at hand. And so, if needed, because if your shorts are too tight, buy a few new pairs and be a little less boundup about the world around you and relax a bit.

[Tony Dibble]

The Bible has for generations, been taught in school.
Why this sudden wisdom to debate the matter?
Continue as previously.
The Bible made the empire and this is not the way for what is left of the empire to strike back.

[Gavin]

Why not? After all they teach Eastenders and Corrie at school these days anyway.

[Ray mcKibbin]

Yes!!!

[Eric Worral]

Absolutely not. We need to rid ourselves of the cultural backage of religion. If we want to fill children's heads with fairy tales lets stick with the brothers Grimm.

[Gipsy]

RE is ridiculous. In one example, during the two weeks that the kids spent on the New Testament, they looked at the story of the crucifixion, and their task was to look find out the differences between how the story was told in each of the gospels. What would they get from that? Why not pick something from the gospels that has relevance to their lives and helps them understand some point of morality and ethics? Or explains to them some of the basic tenets of this religion? Otherwise why bother to teach it at all?

[Shon]

Certainly, the bible is one of the fundamentals of west culture, as well as greek mythology and others, therfore it has to be taught at schools.

[Jon]

Mike Knoth

I thought that those who beleived were supposed to have faith? Your conviction seems to extend to believing "just in case". To claim that teaching religion leads to ridicule is silly. Religious teaching used to have 90% of the airtime so could infect more people with fear and doubt. (Mugabe, Kim Jong Il, Hugo Chavez anyone??) Now it gets less airtime and has to justify itself against a greater body of evidence that suggests a literal interpretation of the bible is not appropriate. I am astonished that today my Daughter is asked to sing hymns in Assembly that have cultish undertones. This kind of slow brainwashing is tarnishing another generation and preventing their natural curiosity. Parents who force religion on their children should be ashamed that they have such little faith in their religion that they need to brainwash their kids while they are vulnerable. If they were truely convinced of the validity of their religion they would wait for their children to develop their own faith. I teach my daughter that different people believe in different things - she will take her own road.

I say as long as Bible stories are tought as fables with a moral purpose then I am all for it - teaching them as fact and seeking to derive a following through fear and faith is wrong and devisive.

[iain rae]

By all means children can be told stories the mythological tales from all lands, but not indoctrinated by the "truth" of one belief system.My hunch is that many children see through the supernatural stuff, taught as fact.

[Harold, Blackpool]

Why shouldn't children in British schools be encouraged to read the New Testament and understand the idea of God's love for the world and the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ for humankind? "Suffer the little children to come unto me," said Christ. Why now do we suddenly want to turn them away? So they can spend more time on their i-pods or x-boxes? Or maybe deal some crack, get pregnant at thirteen or buy a handgun and kill some kid in a rival gang?

The New Testament, with its implicit moral value system expressed in readily comprehensible parables, is one of the best places for British children to learn, as their parents and grandparents did, the importance of tolerance, mercy and love for one's fellow men and women.

We have lost so much in Britain already in recent years. Now we have soaring debt, rising crime, deteriorating public services and ill-equipped armed forces. We are more photographed and watched by the state than any other nation in Europe. We are fed a daily diet of banality by our state-sponsored, taxpayer-funded televisions. We have no respect for each other and we are losing any sense of community. We are led by dishonest, corrupt politicians, who take us without a moment's hesitation into illegal foreign wars. Our countryside is fast disappearing, we've blown a hole in the ozone layer and we're surrounded by a polluted, fish-less sea.

I'm sure of one thing: telling children bible stories in school certainly isn't going to make it any worse.

[Hol]

I don't think you need massive in depth knowledge of the Bible to be able to appreciate Biblical allusions in literature and art. Obviously you need *some*, but I know I found that with basic working knowledge we picked up most of them when studying Keats et al and those we didn't the teacher quickly and sufficiently explained to us.

[Mags]

No. A secular society should not have religion taught as a compulsory subject. If they opt to study it later is up to the pupil.
All religion has shown me is that it's another excuse to fight with another human. It's crazy, who your parents are or where you are born often decides the God you have to worship?
Crazy world!

[Rugratzz]

The UK is supposed to be a Christian country, then Teach Christian values, Peoples ignorance of the Bible is very sad. Please stop the idea that other religions will be offended they carry on with their teachings( and so they should).

I am sure if a child was a Jew or Muslim then they would be taught about their faith.

If a person does not eat meat should they be taught where meat comes from?

[Vinay Mehra]

Religion has created more problems, throughout history, than it has solved. Secondly, it is a matter of faith and nothing to do with rational thinking. Let us keep religion out of politics and education. If parents want to teach their children about religion then they have complete freedom. They should not expect the state to reinforce their beliefs on all children in a school.

[Mark]

No.

[eileen]

to Harold in Blackpool.
Spot on!! The Bible is another facet of our identity that the State will try to deny us. Cometh the hour...

[Dez]

The Bible, the great piece of fiction that it is, should not be taught in all schools, only faith based ones. The world as we know it is a great place without this restriction on human thought and development being introduced into young minds.

Forget the bible, spend more time on science and maths and the universe as a whole and we'll be in a better place.

Peace

Dez

[Richard Wise]

The Bible has for thousands of years shown mankind what is right and what is wrong, if like some man takes away the Bible and God, Whay and what makes stealing, rape and Murder wrong, don't come back with decency, as this is something God and The Bible has taught us, without God and The Bible we are just animals, so what's the problem with murder and robery. Our whole society has been built on the laws ans teaching of the Bible handed down to us from the Roman Times. Without The Bible Is Human Sacrifice OK? where do you start and where do you stop without the Bible. Libralism is a slippery slope to the Abbis

[Kate]

As a former student of English Literature myself I have to agree - I found myself struggling quite a bit with the interpretation of religious imagery. Regardless of what are considered 'right' or 'wrong' values at the moment, our civilisation is founded upon it and, like history, it needs teaching if one is to understand the context. The same goes of course for ancient mythology, philosophy through the ages and other world religions and their influence on culture and history. It's got nothing to do with religious fanaticism, it's about being well-educated and well-rounded with an understanding of where we have come from to see where we might be going - and to make educated choices.

[Andy]

If it's taught at all it should be as tales rather than fact and only then to show the moral or ethical point (and in a fun way).

Children should be taught the religions that exist as part of the world today whilst having nothing enforced upon them. They surely should then be given the chance to decide for themselves what they want to believe.

In my view, religion is outdated and only survives because parents force it upon their family.

[opiniononeverything]

When I did Milton at school,along with the poem to read and deconstruct came some handouts which included relevant bits from the bible and key historical and political events of the time. We had all the information we needed to fully understand what we were reading without the need for prior knowledge. Can this not be recommended practise everywhere, rather than more pointless legislation for teachers to follow?

[Geoff Stringer]

Children should be taught, everything, while at school, like I was. When they leave school, then they can make up their own minds, as what they want to do. All the knowledge that they stack up , will come in useful one day. Anyway it improves conversation, throughout their lives, depending what they do, and where they are.

[Julian Morrison]

Children should not be taught the bible at all. University students of historical religion should be taught it, as a document with historical and cultural context but surprisingly little factual validity (even the boring stuff is often contradicted by archeology).

[Taynia]

You'll be lost as to the history of Western Civilization without an understanding of the Bible. But, I don't hold much hope of Britain being part of Western Culture for much longer.

[Jacques Francis]

The Christian Bible contains many fascinating stories and parables, and forms a work of considerable use in helping youngsters think about how they should behave and treat other people. The tragedy is that it's been hijacked by highly organised gangs who each treat it as if they own it, and use it as a pretext for encouraging intolerance and hatred, and for oppressing uneducated and poor people all over the world. Provided that the bible can be treated as something completely separate from organised religions and used to convey the ethics of Christianity, and whilst everybody must realise that it conveys the ideas of a small number of uneducated men who lived 2000 years ago, it still has considerable merit.

[A simple answer]

No.

[Jon]

Harold

You start your preimse with the assumption that God exists and in the eyes of many this is simply not the case. So to teach "God's love" means nothing to me and others like me - it just makes me not want to listen to you as you sound like a nut to me. I am not saying you are a nut, but you need to consider how you come across - if you want people to be convinced by your point then make it in such a way that they don't switch off. If you are speaking to the people who agree with you then it's just grandstanding.

You have a belief that I personally do not think is appropriate to force upon a vulnerable mind as "fact" when the majority do not think it is fact.

Teach Children about religion and what it means - teach them the moral purpose that religion says it stands for and then counter that with the facts that religion is used as a reason to kill and subvert. Then teach them how to be a good person and not to be corrupted by power - whether that be the power of money, politics, religion, control or fear.

Making smug quotes and trying to occupy a moral high point might make you feel good but that is all it achieves. I suggest you get back to basics - stop quoting the bible and start interpreting it for the good of others.

[Jon]

Taynia

I think that suggesting that "Western Civilisation = Christendom = good" is a distortion of the truth of the history of our civilisation. You use the term "western" as though anything else is a poor substitute, that there are no other options for those who live in our lands other than the words and fables of the bible. That people who are not western and therefore lack this foundation are somehow inferior - its a pretty unpleasant way of thinking for a christian don't you think?

What do you term "western" civilisation - and how do you tie this to "Western Culture". This is the greatest burden placed on the history of those who originate from Europe (America included). The belief that society is build on a foundation of Christianity has prevented a true understanding of our real culture for centuries. It's time to put it to bed. It's time to start developing principles not enhancing age old misinterpretations.

[Mack Hall]

Sigh. I miss the Inquisition.

[Fiona]

Our understanding of how to live justly was for centuries drawn from Christ's teaching, so from our Judaeo-Christian heritage (though admittedly and sadly Aristotle and co got in there to Graeco-Romanize it somewhat). To throw this heritage away is pure blindness. people are now seeking something to replace it - such as the woman-hating , adulteress-stoning Koran, or political correctness.
Children should have access to the Word of God in the bible, and also should be allowed to enjoy the wonderful stories from new and old Testament, from the gory (John the Baptist's head on a plate) to the hope and joy-filled ( forgiveness and resurrection for all who ask for it).
also, as when you don't give children Shakespeare, in throwing out bible stories, you are throwing out a great deal of the origin of thousands odf expressions in our language.
Do read Lapsed Agnostic by John Walters for a well-argued case

[Derek Smith]

Fiona,

Current accepted morals have moved on a long way from the christian/judaic dictates. The christian bible supports slavery, the catholic church treats women as inferior to men, 'eye for an eye' has thankfully given way to a less repressive system of legal punishments.

The inquisition is roundly condemned, the catholic church's rejection of condoms for safe sex in countries where AIDS is rife is a scandal, the way bishops deal with those priests who sexually molest children is no longer regarded as acceptable and one could go on and on.

So I'll go on. It is now socially accpetable for women who have been raped to have an abortion but in this aspect the catholic church falls way behind accepted morals. The church's interference in democratically elected governments is now regarded as improper, at least in this country.

Morals have moved on in the 1800 years or so that a specific christianity form was foisted on the roman empire by Constantine. We would now, I hope, reject a jihad as the kind that were instigated and encouraged by various popes, sometimes against other christians and at other times against muslims.

Jesus' teaching that one should love one's neighbour as oneself is, in my opinion, beautiful in its simplicity and implications. It is such a shame that the various religious sects do not limit themselves to such purity.

Children should not be taught christian morality as the optimum, or even as acceptable, in a modern society. Repression of those with a sexual orientation different to that professed by the leaders of a specific christian sect or sects should not blind them to the fact that all prejudice is evil. Or at least immoral.

Children should not be taught to pass their responsbility for acting morally to someone else, be it another person or a group of persons. It should be made clear to them that slavishly following a list of dos and don'ts does not make one moral.

[newjerseygirl]

I had RE (religious education) as it was called back in the 80s, up until we chose what subjects we were doing for O Level. My school wasn't a faith school, but the teachers felt we would have a greater understanding of the world if we were taught about the Bible AND other religious books and teachings. 20-odd years on, I'm really grateful for those 2 hours a week spent learning about the Old and New Testament (whether you believe the stories or not, some of them are cracking yarns!), and also for the time spent on the different faiths and ideas from varied sources such as Hindu, Jewish, Catholic, C of E, etc.
I hope I have a better understanding of differing beliefs and religious practices – and also British history, since much of it has centered around religions. How will children be well-rounded if they don't understand the basis/history of the religions that shape the world around us?
And I agree with the Poet Laureate - Milton's Paradise Lost, and many other works would have been a mystery to me without any religious education... and even Mel Gibson's The Passion Of The Christ would have been a bit of a puzzle, too!

[alan]

What a question! Of course children should be taught ABOUT the bible - and the Koran, and the Book of Mormon and any other philosophy or religion The important word is ABOUT.
I was going to elaborate, but having read Jon's contributions, I feel he's said it all. I recommend them to the faithful

[adam]

This is not a secular society. The bible should be read. Not read about. Read.

[Peter]

If the Bible is to be taught it ought to be properly taught. Essentially it is about self control and about how negative human emotions can be self destructive to the individual and to others.
Greed,hate,envy,lust,anger, for examples, can be controlling factors in peoples lives if they are allowed to become prominent.
Greed,has brought the Western world to the mess it finds itself in today. Hate is very obvious.

[Cathy]

The Bible is part of our cultural heritage and as such crucially informs much Western culture. Art and literature cannot fruitfully be studied without some knowledge of Christianity and the same goes for other cultures. All major religions should be studied in state schools in equal depth and with equal respect, and none should be advanced as anything other than metaphor and opinion.

[Mike]

School curriculum UK 2009. Fairy tales are compulsory up to age 16. Really useful things for this modern world like Technology, Languages and Geography are only optional. Is it any wonder that we lag behind in international league tables, manufacturing and self sufficiency.

[Gary Maxwell]

The obvious problem is the suggestion that “THE BIBLE” be studied. Why not study the Koran, which at least would give students a different view of the world than they are probably getting at home? If schools are going to study religion in the context of how it changes culture, fine. But ALL religions need to be treated equally. This of course would be unacceptable to the Christian Right who are behind the suggestion that the Bible be studied in schools.

[Ben]

The vast majority of these comments seem to completely miss the point of what Andrew Motion is saying. He is not pointing to the need to study the Bible as a form of moral education for children but as an aid to understanding the enormous influence it's stories have had on art and literature. My education was almost completely devoid of any Bible stories and as such I struggle to fully appreciate and understand many of the great artistic works of humanity, a fact which saddens me.

[Allen Potter]

Where on earth are people such as Fiona getting this idea that human morality comes from the Bible?

Complete and utter nonsense.

Bible study should be taught in schools, alongside Greek, Roman, Egyptian and modern religions. But it should be made clear that like the thousands of other relgions that have existed throughout time, the Christan relgion is based on a story book with no grounding in fact whatsoever.

[Jeremiah]

For all those who believe that the Bible is little more than a source for stories such as the DaVinci Code, and is neither factual not the word of God, then you haven't read it or are already an atheist. It is woven into the Western mind set, and morality; like it or not. The only way to dispel ignorance is to study, and remember the Chinese proverb "After the long slumber of ignorance a single word can change a man for ever"

[David manley]

When is the church going to start teaching science, geography and maths?

Why should schools teach the bible when parents and children could easily attend church before or after school!!

[Mrs P]

I'm trying to teach A level students Brighton Rock. Very few have any religious knowledge and accessing direct references let alone imagery and nuances are proving an uphill struggle. I've also done a whole RS 6 weeks on Lord of the Rings, steeped in Christian imagery and references.

[Mrs P]

I'm trying to teach A level students Brighton Rock. Very few have any religious knowledge and accessing direct references let alone imagery and nuances are proving an uphill struggle. I've also done a whole RS 6 weeks on Lord of the Rings, steeped in Christian imagery and references.

[henry]

Religion: So people worship a being that is not from Earth? So people are submitting themselves to an alien?

Children should be protected from such spooky ideas.

[shajjad]

Whatever your personal religious or non religious belief, the bible has countless words of wisdom that can only enrich a culturally poor nation of teenagers, Yes teach the Bible - Yes teach the Koran, teach anything with a high moral content!! and drop this shallow pop culture that has infested the youth of today with greed rather than a passion to do whats good for mankind.

[Bob]

Yes, I believe that ALL children should be taught the Bible, at all levels of their education.
It's words of life had a profound affect on me as a young person and I sincerely hope that all children today and in the future will have the same opportunity to discover for themselves the glorious fact that they are loved, with an everlasting love, by God himself.

[John R]

All religious studies should be kept out of schools, too much of it is brainwashing and has little to do with understanding language. Religion should be separate from both schools and government. I was kicked out of RE in 3rd grade at my Sec Mod school in the 70's as I declined to believe in God, and was I glad. If people want to study any form of religion then they can get it outside of school. School should be about getting an education that sets youngsters up for dealing with the real world with real skills, which this government has all but sent down the drain. I have nothing against religion, as long as people do not try to convert me to a myth with no hard evidence. It does not mean I have grown up without any sense of morality and respect, far from it.

[canadiancontraian]

I'm curious as to what part of the bible should children be taught? The ritual sacrifice of Jephthah's daughter (Judges 11:29-40), the mass rape of young women (Judges 21:10-24 ), the stoning to death of rape victims (Deuteronomy 22:23-24), the sanctioning of slavery (Leviticus 25:44-46)? I imagine that teaching children the bible would be very edifying indeed.

[Dom Carroll]

As long as is shown up for what it is, a collection of bronze age fairy stories then I've no problem with the bible being in schools. Same with the koran or any work of fiction.

[Mark Wilson]

True literary study in school is not to receive one interpretation, but to discover, acknowledge, and discuss just what is in a text. However, the bible is a large book, and would take a long time to study in full. There seems to be a bible extant for almost everyone on the planet. People, should learn critical analysis and appreciation in school, and be encouraged to get and read their own copy of the bible. I did just that when I realized that the alternative was to accept someone else's interpretation. I wouldn't do that with any other book, why do so with the bible? Have the text right there in front of you when you discuss it, and remember that some may be history; some may be poetry; and some may be allegory. See if you can tell which is which.

[Adam]

Children should be taught religion. but not in the context of indoctrination.

[Darren]

Rather than study the Bible, more good would come from studying the CONSEQUENCES of the Bible.

[delilah]

State schools (ie, those shackled to the National Curriculum) should have no business dealing with religion at all. I say this as a practising Christian. In a multicultural, secular society religion should be something the state is simply barred from getting involved with, including at education level. If parents care deeply enough to fork out for a private religious school, that's one thing, at least then everyone is fully invested, financially as well as emotionally, in a particular religious message. But using tax money to promote a religious agenda in schools where there are numerous parents with numerous agendas is already stirring up religious hatred as parents and governers fight over "the right version". Look at that poor headteacher who resigned over the impossibility of pleasing both Muslim and Christian parents without segregating the "Act of Worship". It is quite possible to teach a system of basic social virtues, compatible with most religions and suitable for a secular society, without reference to religion, and that is what schools should confine themselves to. I have deeper requirements for my own children but see that as something I need to provide through teaching at home, at church, and by family example; after all, once they leave home it will be for them a matter of conscience, not law. For the foreseeable future, at least.

In any case, it's not the fault of British education that children are growing up ignorant of Bible stories; that fault lies squarely at the feet of Rowan Williams and his lot who have presided over a nationwide loss of faith, caused, I would say, by a complete lack of expectation of either religious observance or even basic religious knowledge. RC, Jewish, Orthodox, and Muslim children generally have quite a good working knowledge of the Bible, but not Anglicans. There has been precious little feeding of the Anglican sheep by the Anglican bishops and clergy for over a generation. It's a shame that one result is that life is harder for English Lit teachers and professors but was probably not top of their agendas either.

There is an enormous body of challenging literature, both ancient and modern, which can be taught with simple footnote references to particular religions (to the extent that they arise at all). State schools should be being encouraged to delve into those instead of trying to re-create a curriculum popular in private prep schools 100 years ago.

[Eos Pengwern]

The tenor of many of the comments on this thread makes the point eloquently, that ignorance of the Bible is the profoundest form of ignorance. Those who protest about it being taught have plainly never read it for themselves, or if they have then they have certainly made no effort to understand it.

I read the Bible for the first time when I was in my late teens, with various preconceptions about what I would find, but I was blown away. Not only did dozens of proverbs and allusions in literature and in everyday speech suddenly make sense, but almost every one of my preconceptions turned out to be misconceptions and (as may be obvious by now) I became a Christian shortly afterwards.

My school RE lessons had been no help at all, though. Teaching 'about' the Bible is little use. Let children read the text and see what it actually says; they will the richer for it.

[Simon]

Have most of your bloggers not read the article, or are they incapable of understanding it ?

If I lived in an Arab country, I would want to know tales from the Koran so that I could pick up on references in conversation and literature. It is not an issue of faith but one of communication. In this country, ignorance of Bible stories impedes ones understanding of literature, including most of the literature of the 20th century. Indeed, failure to teach Bible stories wilfully cuts children off from much of the past.

I would add that the teaching should be from the Authorised Version of the Bible. Later versions might have technically better translations, but familiarity with the language of the Authorised Version does avoid the shock of Shakespeare's.

[Trophy]

No it shouldn't be taught, because it's a load of complete rubbish.

[Tom Hoskin]

I went to school during the 1930's and 40's Every morning, at assembly, all the school pupils sang a hymn and recited the Lord's prayer - which I have never forgotten. The Jewish children went to their classrooms. What was wrong with that?

[John]

Children need a brief grounding in all religions (80+?) and their consequences only as a small part of being taught real history. It is completely wrong to teach religion and particularly a sanitised selection of myths in one particular book.

[Malbork]

The Bible is the 800 lb gorilla in the English lit classroom, just as the Koran would be in an Arab lit classroom. These are cultural foundations. So long as these essentially religious tomes can be taught as literature and (to whatever verifiable extent) history, then it adds to the richness of the weave.

[Sarah]

The bible and the narratives contained within it are a cornerstone of modern Western civilisation. Ignorance about the bible is an intellectual impoverishment that robs us of a proper understanding of Western art, literature, music, culture and history. Are those who condemn the bible and the teaching of the bible also suggesting we remove literature and art from the curriculum because these too are fiction?

[RB]

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. Haven't people realised yet that books on religion are falsehoods and ideaological nonsence purely there to capture the weak minded for it's own benefit. Why do you have to have a realiance on old literature that is so out of date? Surely there are more modern and appropriate works written with a modern concept that children of today will be more accepting and willing to read instead of the hatred and malice towards other cultures that religious books promote.

[R Ellis]

I'm not religious myself, but I think that the downfall of religion in the UK has lead to the social problems that exist today. Yes, religious stories should be taught because they usually have a moral to them. They teach children how to behave correctly, be compassionate, helpful. We approve of children playing violent computers games all day, is there even an argument as to whether the Bible should be taught in school?!

[Barry]

Reading the Bible from cover to cover converted me from a believing Christian into an Agnostic. Reading a translation of the Koran turned me into an Atheist.

[jen]

Why are some people so afraid of letting others read the Bible which they claim is full of invented rubbish and fairy stories about a made up God no-one in their right mind would believe in?
If it's just so much rubbish and no sane person would believe it - why can't I read it? Why do you have to warn me off it? What's in it you don't want me to see?

Bible stories should be taught, as should the Greek and Roman myths, the key stories from the Koran and from the eastern religious texts.
Why should children be denied these stories?

[L Ballaam]

All very well teaching students the Bible, but in context as a History of Judaism, the poetry and supernatural happenings should also be taught as myths, Timing was the real miracle in many of the stories.
But as law and literature are also tied to this work, it is therefore a must for a student, (see every plot line in one tome) but aside from that it is a well scripted book.
Just keep the religion out of it.

[PM]

'NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. Haven't people realised yet that books on religion are falsehoods and ideaological nonsence purely there to capture the weak minded for it's own benefit. Why do you have to have a realiance on old literature that is so out of date? Surely there are more modern and appropriate works written with a modern concept that children of today will be more accepting and willing to read instead of the hatred and malice towards other cultures that religious books promote.'

Well at least we know who the censors and book-burners and rewriters of history are now. Most of the self-appointed PC thought police are far worse than the religuious leades they falsely accuse with such massive ignorance bigoted venom.

The Bible is indeed the perfect law of liberty. can u not c wot is happening to the world we live in, can u not see what is happening to this generation. Governments have tried, schools have tried, connextions and other youth centres have tried, police have tried. Can u not see that our only hope is in turning to God. People are trying to post that believing in God is foolish and for weak minds: I pray God will help, you have not a clue of what your saying

[adam]

YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. The Bible is the basis for moral teaching in this country, and reading it may be the only thing that can stop the slide into immorality and anarchy.

[Derek Smith]

Adam,

Morals have moved on since the bible was written. We not longer kill in the name of the law. We allow women who have been raped to abort. We instil in law the right of women to be the equal of men and not banned from professions. The church feels that condoms are naughty so restrict their use in countries that are rife with AIDS. Most people have moved on from such wicked paternalism. The bible says we should stone adulterers, but even most religions say in that the bible is wrong. How about throw out daughters to the mob.

I was taught that blind obedience to the dictates of anyone is not moral behaviour. One must make one's own decisions on what is right and what is wrong. Such as, for instance, sacrificing your child after hearing voices.

The teaching of love thy neighbour as thyself is beautiful in its simplicity and implications. I feel that if we could follow that then the world would be a much, much better place. After all, it doesn't mention neighbours other than those who are gay. Or who worship some other god or none. But the churches thing the bible does.

Morals have moved on since the bible. And quite rightly.

[adam]

It is the people who are busy re-inventing morality that are undermining society. Most of what was "new" and "modern" in the last century was wholly destructive, and it did not stop with Fascism and Communism. Even after these two there was a strand of pure poison mixed with the bait - witness the fall-out from the 60s revolution, and a lot of what the neo-socialists are trying to push now.

[Helen]

Why on earth not? I had RE instruction in school and it did me no harm, nor any others in school with me. If one, as an adult, wishes to be religious, that's a personal choice, but if the Koran and other religions are taught in England, which is a protestant country, then the religion of that country should be compulsory, otherwise, do not permit ANY religions to be taught, and let's see what hoohah will ensue! Stop bending over towards others and take care of the British!

[Michael E.]

Can someone from the UK enlighten the rest of us? What does RE stand for????

[Tasha]

All I will say is that Britain is a Christian country. There is NOTHING wrong with children learning about the religion of the country, if you were to go to any other country it would be exactly the same thing.

This culture of relegating what is yours to the back and promoting what is others just needs to stop.

The extremist want their religion to predominate the earth, these actions are evidence that this is actually working ...

[Derek Smith]

Michael E.,

RE stands for religious education.

Tasha,

The population of Britain is not christian. It is a minority who attend church. There are unelected bishops who have a place in the Lords - Lords Spiritual - which is of great irritation to me and probably to those of other religions, but we are stuck with this antiquated form of government for a while longer. Fair enough the Lords Temporal are also unelected but this is a relic of Magna Carta and should be binned right after the bishops have been moved on.

It would appear on the latest stats that soon christianity will lose its position as the largest religion in this country. Shoul we then teach only those stories from whatever book the new biggest minority beliveres use?

[Darren]

Why not? You can't preach either pro- or anti-Bible anymore, everything has to be in moderation.

In one lesson teach the Bible, in the next lesson teach evolution. Let the children decide. (Or more likely, let the parents lecture them at home about which is "correct")

I personally believe there is more truth in Lord of the Rings than there is in the Bible.

[kate b]

As long as you know it says "beginningS created G*d" the earth is already there, it was made in the initial beginning, the foundations of the earht was built upon the floodS, what has been will be, there's nothing new under the sun - and we can only guess these anyway, thru dinosaurs &.

ALSO the latest Abrhamic faith claims to be CONFIRMATION of what went before so clearly it won't offend Muslims. Atheists don't believe so it will just be like reading little red riding hood and anyone who believes that only the word of G*d is trustworthy will look at just the quotes, won't they.

So, why not?

[Audrey]

The main thing for children is that the Bible is taught at home; it is not the State's responsibility to teach it. There is however, a place for the principles of the Bible to taught in schools and practiced in society as a whole. Since the Bible has been 'discarded' there has been a noticeable deterioration in society generally. The Bible is as relevant today as it has always been. It may have been abused by certain sectors of society but that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it's teaching. We are so quick to accept other holy books but the minute it comes to the Christian religion there is an outcry.

[Richard Matcham]

Many people agree or disagree based on faith. What about teaching parts of the bible for it's value as literature (and maybe its influence in Western culture)? Since there are dozens of varieties, this can be taught for its own sake rather than just belief. People can make their own minds up about that whenever they want, but surely as literature it is worth a study?

[terry moser]

Should children be taught holocaust religion in school?

[Peter Hardman]

NO..

They hear enough fairy tales already..but usually not harmful ones that those in The Bible... it's time for the child abuse that is religion in school to stop. Let the kids grow up unblinkered and unbigoted

[witilza]

Only if you happen to be jewish. In any other case it would be impossible to understand what's all that about, and those little brains could be damaged forever...

[Cathy]

Oh, come on, Peter! RE is child abuse? Well, maybe some faith schools are a bit creepy but have you sat in on an RE lesson in a mainstream school lately? Facts are presented as facts and beliefs as beliefs. One wouldn't be allowed to indoctrinate children in non-faith schools, it's that simple.

[alessandro]

Yes! RE ought to be taught in schools, our country’s history and legal system has its roots in Christianity and it is part of our heritage. I went to school in the 1970’s and early 80’s where we had daily assemblies, RE classes, and the occasional cuff around the ears. This did me less harm than being drip-fed the current diet of dumbed down, politically correct “anything goes” inclusive liberal claptrap, which is currently producing a nation of whinging illiterates. At home, I was encouraged to read, think for myself, question ideas and norms and form opinions of my own. Oh yes, and we went to church too. The result? A well balanced, educated, respectful, tolerant and successful family man.

[alan]

Should children be taught bible stories? Yes, certainly, teach them the stories and teach them for what they are - stories, and nothing else.
As an atheist it's good to have some knowledge of the bible. Alongside much stupid and violently criminal, revanchist content, there are some good passages.
I like the bits abut throwing the first stone, and there but for the grace of god go I. Turning the other cheek is great, but nobody does it because it is impractical and fails to take human nature into account. Just like communism, in fact.

[Tim]

Children should learn about the Bible, it certainly has a worthy moral code that is sadly lacking today. Unfortunately RE will also look at other so-called religions, which are more cults than religion, whose moral code is less than desirable, as it says those who choose to leave should be murdered.