The American Civil Liberties Union says teaching a Bible history class as an elective in an Illinois high school would violate the First Amendment. The American Civil Liberties Union says teaching a Bible history class as an elective in an Illinois high school would violate the First Amendment. A spokesman says miracles, such as the parting of the Red Sea, are part of faith and therefore have no place in the classroom. But the Bible does have secular historical content, and miracles can be portrayed in class as a religious interpretation of events rather than as undisputed facts.
Bible study can help students understand the world.
The story of Ishmael, for example, can explain the concept that, as descendants of Abraham, Jews and Arabs are brothers. The Bible, like the Koran and writings of Confucious, espouses good values. None of the good books need to be feared. Fear breeds hostility. It also is a sign of trouble.