WASHINGTON (AP) AN INTERFAITH GROUP IS RELEASING A NEW TEXTBOOK AIMED AT TEACHING PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT THE BIBLE WHILE AVOIDING LEGAL AND RELIGIOUS DISPUTES.
THE NONPROFIT BIBLE LITERACY PROJECT SPENT FIVE YEARS AND TWO MILLION DOLLARS DEVELOPING ``THE BIBLE AND ITS INFLUENCE.'' THE 41 CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE EVANGELICAL, MAINLINE PROTESTANT, ROMAN CATHOLIC, EASTERN ORTHODOX, JEWISH AND SECULAR EXPERTS.
TO AVOID PROBLEMS, THE EDITORS ACCOMMODATED JEWISH SENSITIVITIES ABOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT AND ATTRIBUTED REPORTS ABOUT MIRACLES TO THE SOURCE RATHER THAN JUST CALLING THEM HISTORICAL FACTS.
A 1963 SUPREME COURT DECISION BARRED SCHOOLROOM BIBLE RECITATIONS BUT SAID THE BIBLE COULD BE STUDIED ``FOR ITS LITERARY AND HISTORIC QUALITIES'' IF ``PRESENTED OBJECTIVELY AS PART OF A SECULAR PROGRAM.''
I was intrigued by this idea, and personally I have no objections to schools teaching the Bible. I will admit to being a bit befuddled by the BLP "gear" they sell on their website. I suppose it's fine...but I must admit I'm curious as to how many orders they get for these...
The Bible Literacy Project bib.
