I say that it is necessary. How will our dim-bulb non-cursive children KNOW that it’s the “exact same thing”? Because someone in the public school system tells them it is? Who are you going to trust — a union teacher or the original text?
Unless you can read and understand ancient Greek and the idioms of the day based on Jewish religion; a person is 'trusting' their soul to some old dudes who TRANSLATED the bible into modern day English.
Good luck and have a Merry Christmas...