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eliz_'s avatar

I sometimes feel guilty that my children won't automatically understand religious references in literature that were so obvious to me.

Then I think about how they can eventually learn the religious references without the burden of the religion itself, and I feel better about it.

GrannysKnitting's avatar

that state is even more effed up than floriduh by the looks of it

Always Be Ithacating's avatar

Yeah, what young teenager wants to read about love and lust and social constraints on teenagers, when they could be reading about why the god they've been taught to worship all their lives inexplicably hates their fucking guts, with no questions permitted.

beb's avatar

The First Principle of Religious Freedom is Freedom from Religion.

Tim Mulherin's avatar

The door it opened slowly

My father he came in

I was nine years old

And He stood so tall above me

His blues they were shining

And his voice was very cold

He said I had a vision

And you know I'm strong and holy

I must do what I've been told

So we started up the mountain

I was running he was walking

And his axe was made of gold

~ L. Cohen, Story of Isaac

marydn's avatar

I took a bible as literature course in college because I enjoyed the professor. This being rural AZ on the first day a third of the class were clearly fundies looking for a religious experience. By the second class half the fundies had dropped out. Those that stayed were constantly asking questions because the professor would mention something historical that they had never heard of before. Or use some term they were unfamiliar with. It was amazing how ignorant these ladies were. Yes, they were all women who apparently were allowed to take time off housework as long as it was something religious. I hope some of those ladies learned something that helped them escape their cults but I doubt it.

Always Be Ithacating's avatar

I'd like to think some of them tucked away in their minds that idea that questioning things might be something they could do when circumstances were right.

Zyxomma's avatar

Ta, Robyn. Decades ago, when I was a public school student, there was a moment of prayer during the day. Then the Supreme Court said no, and it was gone. It should stay gone.

The Blessed Reverend's avatar

I think a good case could be made of a high school level literature course which presents the important ideas and figures of speech in the Bible. How are absolutely lost in Shakespear and Milton and all the other heavies unless you got yr Bible learnin. It was a common coin of any discourse up until recetnly.

Thixotropickle's avatar

"In my view, teaching selective biblical passages in their proper historical literary context is not religious indoctrination. It’s a rather good education. In my view this curriculum is both constitutionally permissible and educationally responsible.”

Newsflash bigot: your view is shit and you need glasses or possibly a cornea transplant or two.

The Blessed Reverend's avatar

Bible verses selected by the AI!

The Face-Swapped Christ (Revelation 1:14-16): Describes Jesus not as the gentle shepherd, but with hair "white as wool," eyes "like a blazing fire," feet "like glowing bronze," and a voice like "rushing waters." A double-edged sword comes out of his mouth.

The Cosmic War (Revelation 12:7-8): Depicts a literal war breaking out in heaven, where Archangel Michael and his angels fight a massive, seven-headed dragon (Satan), throwing him and his demons down to the earth.

The Locust-Scorpions from the Abyss (Revelation 9:7-10): Describes a plague of demonic locusts released from the bottomless pit. They have human faces, women's hair, lion's teeth, armor, and scorpion tails that torment humanity for five months.

The Bloody Rider (Revelation 19:11-13, 15): Portrays Jesus returning on a white horse, wearing a robe dipped in blood. He strikes down the nations with a sharp, double-edged sword that comes out of his mouth.

Hippo Heaven's avatar

Can I ask about the photo? The cross that says "Jesus" horizontally, what does it say vertically?

The Blessed Reverend's avatar

it reads 'approach the throne of Baph0met"

Thixotropickle's avatar

I heart Jesus, Jesus heart me

SAMushrush's avatar

A comparative religions course in my Catholic high school was the beginning of my questioning the faith I was raised in. Hope it works out that way in Texas.

The Blessed Reverend's avatar

In Mass in the 50's we have school prayer (lord's prayer OUT LOUD) along with pledge of allegiance for grades 1 through 6. It did not take. I could recite the words of the L's prayer at lightening speed and feel nothing.

When I was 12 I discovered Sartre and the Theatre of the Absurd. I was an exitentialist.

So good luck with this bullshit TX - it's even less likely to 'take' today.

fair_n_hite_451's avatar

If it is about treating the Bible as a literary work, why no Talmud? Or Quran? Or The Analects? Are they not all literary works on par with the Bible?

Rad's avatar
5hEdited

"Yes, children! For your homework tonight, turneth your bibles to Ezekiel 23:19-21 and review with your parents...

...Yet she increased her whoring, remembering the days of her youth, when she played the whore in the land of Egypt and lusted after her lovers there, whose members were like those of donkeys, and whose issue was like that of horses. Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom and pressed[a] your young breasts...

Amen."

Wookiee Monster's avatar

I actually did spend a lot of time reading about Christianity, its history and its doctrines.

Thats why I’m an atheist.

fair_n_hite_451's avatar

A well trodden path. Once a person treats religion like a scholastic exercise it becomes painfully clear just how much of it is all claptrap and control.