The NY Times has an article today on Odessa's Bible course plan.
Hey, I attended a private Christian (read: Southern Baptist) school where I was required to take a Bible course, and look how great I turned out! I'm sure the conservatives from the school wouldn't be too happy about it.
But enough about me - this debate comes down to the separation of church and state. Although this course is an elective, if I was an atheist in Odessa, I wouldn't want my tax dollars going towards it. I find it hard to believe it will be more "educational" or theological than Bible-thumping.
If that did happen (quite doubtful), it would be a good thing.
Living here and hearing/reading the feedback from this for several months, I thought I would add my two cents.
First, MISD (the Midland Independent School District) has plans as well (as do many other west Texas school districts) to do the same - they are all watching the Odessa "pilot" plan first. Midland and other districts are planning for this in the 2006-07 school year.
Secondly, the response from the community has almost been 100% positive. Unless you desire to have your business boycotted or your home windows smashed, the ones that oppose it have been silent (or maybe there just really is no true opposition here?)
Thirdly, the ones that do oppose it such as the ACLU and the other secular "devil worshipersâ are not thought of in high regard here. They are on the "wrong" side of the great culture war that rages on the Bible belt communities.
And lastly, even though the school educators here say that it is only a course about the "history" of the Bible, etc. etc., most people here know that it is a sly way of reintroducing God back into the classroom. This is, of course, after the evil Supreme Court took God out of schools by banning prayer.
Laugh if you want, turn your head and play like it doesn't exist, but the rise of the Christian Jihad continues in places like this. As the fundamentalists Muslim clerics know very well in the Middle east, start teaching the children the fundamentalist ways, and you will have a Jihad warrior for life. Bible classes today, "intelligent design" tomorrow, the schools are becoming the battleground for our own national religious wars in the near future.
In 8th grade public school in Odessa, we had to get our parents to sign a permission slip to remain in science class when evolution was discussed.
And in 10th grade, my high school debate coach passed out silver fetus feet lapel pins and anti-abortion pamphlets. He also preached that AIDS was retribution for being gay, and urged us to vote for Pat Robertson for prez.
They never stopped teaching religion in odessa schools--now you can get course credit for it.
who really cares...its not like our tax dollars are actually used for education anyway. plus, at this rate, schools wont even open later this month...so lets keep some perspective. we're so effed up already, that a little bible course ain't gonna make it that much worse...kinda like pissing on a dead body.
The objective critique ai'nt going to happen. I've seen a copy of the curriculum and it's as bad as you think. I went to Catholic elementary and high schools and a Presbyterian college and even the extremist nun who taught me in 6th grade wouldn't have taught this stuff.
TFN is holding a press conference on their report on the curriculum today at 12:30 at the TEA building.
Check out TFN's full report at www.tfn.org
Have to share my story... when my brother came out of the closet to me, I discussed it with my high school counselor and she said, "Gays are just born to die of AIDS." Niiiice. Was the last time I told her anything.
Oh. My. God.
Electra - i want to know who you are. Do you have an anonymous email that works?
We can trade Harwell stories...
Yo Pinkreader,
I'd LOVE to trade Harwell stories. That dude made me a democrat for life.
My email is set up now...
Texas needs Bible learnin' in public schools like it needs White History Month.
Get over it! If they can teach evolution, and require you to know it in science they can offer an ELECTIVE course on the bible!
Quit your whining you liberal nut jobs!
Well, they already offer fictional writing as an elective...perhaps fiction reading ain't such a bad idea.
Well I hate the hell out of you greedy ass republicans and the tax cuts you give each other and keep poor people poor, sick and uneducated. I hate how you kill in the name of American freedom when it's just more money that you want. Well guess fucking what - you can't take your money with you, asshole. Your lily-white daughter is waiting for you to die so that she can get the money before your oxy-popping Rush wannabe of a son gets it just because he's Asshole III, Esq. And when she gets your money, I hope she falls in love with the darkest undocumented worker with the most grown out mullet she can find, and they get married and your little girl pops out six or seven half breeds. Of course, his $5.15/hour job building Centex homes won't cut it, so Your Loving Daughter will have to dip into her inheritance to take care of the family.
Muhahahaha.... MUhahahahaha....
"Sick of liberals" expected to find conservative opinions on a blog called "Pinkdome"? Am I the only person who thinks this seems, um, unintelligent?
ahhh...how sweet Marie, and I thought you hated us because we were gun-toting homophobes, guess I was wrong!
Edmonton dominated the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night and the 4-0 margin in Game 6 makes it hard to imagine the Oilers not hoisting hockey's Holy Grail above their heads in less than 48 hours. And it would not come as any shock to see defenseman Chris Pronger, who had another 31-minute night, take the honors for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
Veteran actor William Franklyn, known for voicing the 1960s Schweppes TV adverts, dies aged 81...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
Pop trio Atomic Kitten will reform to play a concert in support of jailed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...
I haven't gotten anything done recently. I've just been hanging out doing nothing. I haven't been up to anything these days, but it's not important. Today was a total loss.
A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...
A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
Veteran actor William Franklyn, known for voicing the 1960s Schweppes TV adverts, dies aged 81...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
Alec Baldwin asks for his voice to be removed from an "unfair" documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
Singer George Michael lends the piano on which John Lennon wrote Imagine to an anti-war exhibition...
Veteran game show host Bob Barker is stepping down from hosting The Price is Right after 35 years...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...
Veteran actor William Franklyn, known for voicing the 1960s Schweppes TV adverts, dies aged 81...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
Veteran actor William Franklyn, known for voicing the 1960s Schweppes TV adverts, dies aged 81...
London-born rapper Sway is to be honoured at the BET Hip-Hop awards in the US...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
Colombia's vice president is "baffled" by Kate Moss's success following cocaine allegations...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...
Colombia's vice president is "baffled" by Kate Moss's success following cocaine allegations...
I feel like an empty room, but eh. Nothing seems worth doing. I haven't gotten much done today.
London-born rapper Sway is to be honoured at the BET Hip-Hop awards in the US...
The first stage of a £150m investment in regional museums is praised for boosting visitor numbers...
Singer George Michael lends the piano on which John Lennon wrote Imagine to an anti-war exhibition...
Singer George Michael lends the piano on which John Lennon wrote Imagine to an anti-war exhibition...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
The first stage of a £150m investment in regional museums is praised for boosting visitor numbers...
The Rolling Stones cancel a gig in Hawaii and postpone other tour dates as Mick Jagger suffers throat troubles...
A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...
Veteran game show host Bob Barker is stepping down from hosting The Price is Right after 35 years...
Veteran game show host Bob Barker is stepping down from hosting The Price is Right after 35 years...
Colombia's vice president is "baffled" by Kate Moss's success following cocaine allegations...
London-born rapper Sway is to be honoured at the BET Hip-Hop awards in the US...
The Rolling Stones cancel a gig in Hawaii and postpone other tour dates as Mick Jagger suffers throat troubles...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen reportedly signs a $42.5m (£22m) film deal starring his character Bruno...
Colombia's vice president is "baffled" by Kate Moss's success following cocaine allegations...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
The first stage of a £150m investment in regional museums is praised for boosting visitor numbers...
I haven't been up to much these days. Today was a loss. Nothing seems important. I've just been letting everything happen without me these days.
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
The first stage of a £150m investment in regional museums is praised for boosting visitor numbers...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
Pop trio Atomic Kitten will reform to play a concert in support of jailed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields...
Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen reportedly signs a $42.5m (£22m) film deal starring his character Bruno...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...
Singer George Michael lends the piano on which John Lennon wrote Imagine to an anti-war exhibition...
Veteran game show host Bob Barker is stepping down from hosting The Price is Right after 35 years...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
Pop trio Atomic Kitten will reform to play a concert in support of jailed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields...
The Rolling Stones cancel a gig in Hawaii and postpone other tour dates as Mick Jagger suffers throat troubles...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
Pop trio Atomic Kitten will reform to play a concert in support of jailed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...
Veteran game show host Bob Barker is stepping down from hosting The Price is Right after 35 years...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
Singer George Michael lends the piano on which John Lennon wrote Imagine to an anti-war exhibition...
Pop trio Atomic Kitten will reform to play a concert in support of jailed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields...
Pop trio Atomic Kitten will reform to play a concert in support of jailed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
Alec Baldwin asks for his voice to be removed from an "unfair" documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
Colombia's vice president is "baffled" by Kate Moss's success following cocaine allegations...
Singer George Michael lends the piano on which John Lennon wrote Imagine to an anti-war exhibition...
Alec Baldwin asks for his voice to be removed from an "unfair" documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger...
Alec Baldwin asks for his voice to be removed from an "unfair" documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...
Alec Baldwin asks for his voice to be removed from an "unfair" documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
Veteran game show host Bob Barker is stepping down from hosting The Price is Right after 35 years...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
William Styron, whose Holocaust novel Sophie's Choice became a film and an opera, has died, aged 81...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
Colombia's vice president is "baffled" by Kate Moss's success following cocaine allegations...
Colombia's vice president is "baffled" by Kate Moss's success following cocaine allegations...
Veteran game show host Bob Barker is stepping down from hosting The Price is Right after 35 years...
Veteran game show host Bob Barker is stepping down from hosting The Price is Right after 35 years...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
Colombia's vice president is "baffled" by Kate Moss's success following cocaine allegations...
The Rolling Stones postpone a show in the US to allow singer Sir Mick Jagger time to rest his voice...
The Rolling Stones cancel a gig in Hawaii and postpone other tour dates as Mick Jagger suffers throat troubles...
The Rolling Stones cancel a gig in Hawaii and postpone other tour dates as Mick Jagger suffers throat troubles...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
The Rolling Stones postpone a show in the US to allow singer Sir Mick Jagger time to rest his voice...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
The first stage of a £150m investment in regional museums is praised for boosting visitor numbers...
Doctor Who takes three prizes at the National Television Awards in a repeat of its success last year...
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (£526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
The first stage of a £150m investment in regional museums is praised for boosting visitor numbers...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
Classical singer Russell Watson postpones his forthcoming UK tour after undergoing brain surgery...
The Rolling Stones cancel a gig in Hawaii and postpone other tour dates as Mick Jagger suffers throat troubles...
Veteran actor William Franklyn, known for voicing the 1960s Schweppes TV adverts, dies aged 81...
Veteran actor William Franklyn, known for voicing the 1960s Schweppes TV adverts, dies aged 81...
The Rolling Stones postpone a show in the US to allow singer Sir Mick Jagger time to rest his voice...
The Rolling Stones postpone a show in the US to allow singer Sir Mick Jagger time to rest his voice...
Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen reportedly signs a $42.5m (£22m) film deal starring his character Bruno...
Social networking site MySpace is to block users from uploading copyrighted music to its pages...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...
The Rolling Stones postpone a show in the US to allow singer Sir Mick Jagger time to rest his voice...
Veteran actor William Franklyn, known for voicing the 1960s Schweppes TV adverts, dies aged 81...
There is the potential (albeit small) for one good thing to come of this. Imagine if whoever teaches that course decides to teach the actual historical significance of the good book⦠the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am guessing that the god-fearing folk of west Texas might not be too thrilled about an objective critique.