Does Using the Bible in Public Schools Violate the Separation of Church and State?

The question of offering religious literature courses in public schools strikes at the heart of the separation of church and state argument. Those who oppose offering these courses are often quick to incorrectly state that the constitution has established a wall of division between religion and the public arena, prohibiting the government from showing any recognition whatsoever of religious viewpoints or materials. According to them, the separation should obviously extend into the public school system, thus rendering the teaching of a course on the Bible a direct contradiction of our founding principles. This viewpoint is historically inaccurate. The phrase "separation of church and state" is not even found in the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson originally penned the phrase in a letter to a group of concerned Baptists in 1802, assuring them that the state would not interfere with their religious expression. The separation was never intended to eradicate any recognition or exposure to religious ideas or literature. After reading his letter, it is clear that the Jeffersonian "wall" was erected to ensure, not limit religious practice.

Freedom Of or From Religion

The other oft-misquoted defense of the "separation" position is the first amendment of the Constitution, which states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." After one objective reading of this statement, within its historical context it is clear that the first amendment was intended to prevent the State from officially endorsing or establishing any one religion at the expense of others. The goal of the establishment clause is to avoid a state sanctioned church, like the Church of England, and to ensure that members of the new democracy would be afforded the opportunity to worship as they wish without political persecution. This concept is far different than the modern practice of freedom from religion embraced by opponents of teaching Biblical literature in public schools. All of the above leads me to the conclusion that this argument is not centered on constitutional principle; rather it is actually the expression of anti-religious bias.

The Bible and Culture

This bias often ignores the vast amount of academic and civic value that can be derived from the study of religious texts, like the Bible. First, it is fair to say that religious expression is universally accepted as a vital aspect of culture, helping our students to better understand the diversity that exists among the various peoples of the world. Most of our world societies are rooted in and deeply influenced by religious ideas. To deny this fact would be to deny one of the great identifying social characteristics of most cultures. As we strive to present our students with a well-rounded and dynamic education, it is common practice in social studies to devote instructional time to the subject of major world religions. An elective class providing a study or overview of the Bible would actually incorporate three of the four major religions of the world, allowing us a diverse and comprehensive perspective on the influence of religion on culture.

The Bible and History

Another important contribution provided by an elective course on the Bible is an overview of various events in World and American history. The Bible is still referred to by historians and archaeologists as a wellspring of information and data. From the rise and fall of ancient kings and kingdoms, to the location of ancient cities, the Bible is a wonderful tool that can be used in the framing and debating of world history. The pages of the Bible are full of references to important historical figures, providing us with an up-close view of numerous personalities that have historically important roles in the annals of history. It also contains principles and philosophies that have greatly influenced many major historical events. We would be remiss to overlook the incredible contribution that the Bible has made to such events as the Civil Right Movement, the landing of the Pilgrims in North America, the Reformation, and the American Revolution.

The Bible In Literature

Lastly, it is fair to say that the Bible is a widely referenced book that embodies a vast range of literary styles and devices from prose to poetry. A course in the Bible would provide a wonderful platform for language arts teachers to discuss and evaluate their craft. To this day, the Bible is the best selling book in the world and can be found referenced and quoted in countless other forms of classic literature from Shakespeare to early American folklore. The literary influence of the Bible is unmatched, establishing it as one of the most influential books of all time. If we refuse to provide access to the literary masterpiece in the name of "the separation of church and state", then we cannot say with good conscience that we are providing our students with a world-class education.