RE: The Bible As Literature.
Del, you write:
It sometimes makes me wonder if the Bible shouldn't be banned from our schools. Should our children really be reading this stuff?
I think that the Bible IS already "banned", or at least not "read", in public schools (separation of church & state, and all that).
I think that is a pity, actually, but for a reason that you may find unexpected.
I had attended Catholic schools as a youngster, but it wasn't until I went to a private secular high school that I actually read the Bible, end to end. One of the texts we had in 11th grade English was a lovely volume entitled "The Bible as Literature." All the books of the Old Testament were, for once, laid out in proper order -- historical books grouped together, poetry together, etc., etc. -- and printed up in nice typeface, without all the chapter and verse headings. And the New Testament was also easier to get through, since duplicate passages in the Gospels were omitted, again along with all the chapter and verse headings.
In any event, as I discovered, the Bible, so presented, really IS great literature! Memorable stories, wonderful metaphors, stunning narratives (Book of Job, for example!)....That is why I feel that it is a pity so many of our children are missing out on the experience of reading it, particularly since without a knowledge of the Bible, much of English poetry (not to speak of poetry in other languages) is inaccessible to them. English poetry is chock full of references to the Bible, along with references to classical mythology. IMO, a properly educated person should be able to decipher them...
Note that I do not have to believe in the existence of the Greek gods, in order to enjoy reading The Iliad. Nor do I have to believe in the wrath of Jehovah or the divinity of Christ in order to enjoy reading the Bible.
jbe |
