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Bible Bill Passes (TN) House
WRCB Chattanooga ^ | May 14, 2008 | Rachel Withers

Posted on 05/14/2008 8:53:00 AM PDT by Tennessee Nana

Nashville, TN (WRCB-TV/Associated Press) A controversial bill requiring Tennessee's public schools to offer an elective bible course is making its way to Gov. Phil Bredesen.

The legislation unanimously passed the Senate last week and was approved overwhelmingly in the House Tuesday. If Gov. Bredesen signs the legislation, public schools will soon be required to offer bible as an elective course taught with an approved textbook. The Tennessee Department of Education would create a uniform bible curriculum.

This legislation does come with some safeguards. It prohibits the use of any religious test when assigning teachers to the bible class.

For many Tennessee school districts, this idea is nothing new. In Hamilton county, schools have offered an elective bible class for the last 87 years.

Stay with Eyewitness News and wrcbtv.com for the latest updates on what Gov. Bredesen decides.


TOPICS: Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: bible; curriculum; education; tennessee
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To: Marysecretary
Robertson is certainly not a Jew hater. He supports the Jews and Israel all the time. Cheez.

Duke is the anti-Semite.

41 posted on 05/14/2008 7:34:53 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: Tennessee Nana; All
Nashville, TN (WRCB-TV/Associated Press) A controversial bill requiring Tennessee's public schools to offer an elective bible course is making its way to Gov. Phil Bredesen.

The only thing controversial about this bill, in my opinion, is that, as a consequence of widespread ignorance of the Constitution and its history, the people were impotent to peacefully overthrow the USSC when it invented the bogus constitutional principal of separation of church and state to stop free religious speech in pubic schools.

From a thread concerning prayer in school...

Regardless that Justice Black wanted everybody to think that Jefferson's "wall of separation" somehow meant that the establishment clause was meant to be applied to the states, Jefferson had acknowledged that the Founders had written the 1st and 10th Amendments in part to reserve government power to address religious issues uniquely to the states. In fact, Jefferson had done so on at least three occasions. See for yourself.

"3. Resolved that it is true as a general principle and is also expressly declared by one of the amendments to the constitution that ‘the powers not delegated to the US. by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively or to the people’: and that no power over the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or freedom of the press being delegated to the US. by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, all lawful powers respecting the same did of right remain, & were reserved, to the states or the people..." --Thomas Jefferson, Kentucky Resolutions, 1798. http://tinyurl.com/oozoo

"In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the general government. I have therefore undertaken on no occasion to prescribe the religious exercises suited to it; but have left them as the Constitution found them, under the direction and discipline of State or Church authorities acknowledged by the several religious societies." --Thomas Jefferson: 2nd Inaugural Address, 1805. ME 3:378 http://tinyurl.com/jmpm3

"I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises. This results not only from the provision that no law shall be made respecting the establishment or free exercise of religion, but from that also which reserves to the states the powers not delegated to the United States. Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise or to assume authority in religious discipline has been delegated to the General Government. It must then rest with the states, as far as it can be in any human authority." --Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, 1808. http://tinyurl.com/nkdu7

1st Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

10th Amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

So by quoting Jefferson to help justify his special-interest interpretation of the establishment clause, Justice Black actually quoted probably the worst person that he could have quoted to help justify his dirty work.

Regarding Black's special-interest shenanigans, note that "former" Klansman Justice Black was not only a Roman Catholic-despising Baptist, but also consider that certain Baptists regard Matthew 22:21 as God's call for absolute c&s separation. So Black was possibly happy to twist the meaning of the establishment clause to stop Catholic religious exercises in public schools even if it meant stopping Protestant religious exercises from being practiced too. If this was the case, then Black wrongly put his personal beliefs ahead of his oath to defend the Constitution as evidenced by his misrepresentation of Jefferson's ideas concerning c&s separation.

So regardless what Justice Black wanted everybody to believe about the establishment clause, the states have the constitutional power (10th A.) to authorize public schools to lead non-mandatory (14th A.) classroom discussions on the pros and cons of evolution, creationism and ID, as examples, but also including praying in public schools, regardless that atheists, separatists, secular judges and the MSM from misleading the people to think that doing such things in public schools is unconstitutional.

As a side note about prayer in public schools, keep in mind that even if there is nothing unconstitutional about Christian prayer in public schools, Matthew 6:5-8 shows that Jesus taught his followers to be discreet about praying, not making a public spectacle out of it. So even if the honest interpretation of our 1st A. rights puts no restrictions on things like public school prayer (14th A. protections respected), Jesus essentially did.

Getting back to justices who are able put personal agendas ahead of their oaths to defend the Constitution because the people don't know their own Constitution, Lincoln put it this way.

"We the People are the rightful master of both congress and the courts - not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." --Abraham Lincoln, Political debates between Lincoln and Douglas, 1858.
The bottom line is that, just like the pro-concealed gun laws now being passed, I'm glad to see that people are at least starting to stand up for their constitutional rights, their religion-related rights in this example, regardless that they've been duped by constitutional flunky judges into not exercising these rights for the past several decades.
42 posted on 05/14/2008 8:09:35 PM PDT by Amendment10
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To: Marysecretary

> it IS elective, FR.

You’ve missed my point. If I don’t want my kids to take it, I still end up paying for it. No thanks.


43 posted on 05/15/2008 2:02:02 AM PDT by FRForever (http://www.constitutionparty.com)
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To: Marysecretary

> Judaism and Christianity are the main religions in America.

You’ll have to enlighten me — I don’t remember where the Pledge of Allegiance says “Freedom and Justice for the Majority.”

And another thing: Does this Bible they’re going to teach from include the books of the Maccabees? Psalm 151? The Prayer of Manasseh? These are parts of some Christian Bibles but not others.

Thanks but no thanks. Like sex ed, religious education should be controlled by the parents.


44 posted on 05/15/2008 2:10:10 AM PDT by FRForever (http://www.constitutionparty.com)
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To: FRForever

I am a property owner, but we home school. I still must contribute through my property taxes to the county’s schools.

Shall we begin a list of all the things with which we disagree and to which we are opposed that we still must pay for in the public schools through taxation?

A better bill for me would be one that states, if we don’t use the public schools and must pay for our own children’s education out of pocket, we will be exempted from the public schools portion of our tax bill. That would be better than a voucher system, as far as I am concerned.

I’m sick and tires of contributing to the LACK of REAL education I see represented in the bumbed-out students who get off the big yellow socialist education wagon that stops at our corner every afternnon at 3 pm.

Bible principles would help some of these students, for sure.


45 posted on 05/15/2008 2:19:20 AM PDT by John Leland 1789
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To: antiRepublicrat

Yes, I know, but Robertson was also mentioned in that list.


46 posted on 05/15/2008 7:02:03 AM PDT by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
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To: cva66snipe

You are so right. I find it increasingly sad to see what’s happening to our great nation. Take God out, and guess who comes in? The enemy of our souls and he is more than happy to take over the position. I hate liberal thinking and the socialist/communist takeover of our country.


47 posted on 05/15/2008 7:04:04 AM PDT by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
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To: John Leland 1789

> A better bill for me would be one that states, if we don’t use the public schools and must pay for our own children’s education out of pocket, we will be exempted from the public schools portion of our tax bill.

Sounds like an excellent plan.


48 posted on 05/15/2008 7:17:26 AM PDT by FRForever (http://www.constitutionparty.com)
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To: Marysecretary
Yes, I know, but Robertson was also mentioned in that list.

As being against Muslims. I gave one example for each religion.

49 posted on 05/15/2008 7:25:11 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: antiRepublicrat

OK, thanks for the clarification. Love, M


50 posted on 05/15/2008 7:27:16 AM PDT by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
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To: Tennessee Nana

Luv ya Nana.


51 posted on 05/15/2008 7:28:29 AM PDT by stevio (Crunchy Con - God, guns, guts, and organically grown crunchy nuts.)
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To: Marysecretary
Take God out, and guess who comes in?

Exactly who is taking God out of peoples' hearts? The indoctrination of religion does not belong in public institutions for reasons on both sides. For those not of the religion it is a violation of their rights. For those of the religion you really don't want the government getting involved, at it tends to politicize and screw up everything it touches. Look at Denmark with a state religion and a state church, and levels of religiousness are very low. To remain positive and effective, religion should properly be directly in the hands of the people, not their representatives.

52 posted on 05/15/2008 7:30:12 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: Tennessee Nana

Like a fellow Freeper, I would agree with the ACLU on this one.

Who is going to teach this class? Would anyone object to a Watchtower Society teacher? A Mormon? A Catholic? An Arian? A Gnostic? An Atheist? A CALVINIST?

Will any of those that support this idea change their tune once you find little Tommy coming home saying “We learned today that Jesus was really the archangel Michael, and the Trinity is not found in the Bible!”

Religion is best taught in the home and at church, where you get to choose what is taught to the next generation, not handed off to a PUBLIC SCHOOL.


53 posted on 05/15/2008 8:47:04 AM PDT by Ottofire (Psalm 18:31 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?)
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To: Ezekiel
So sorry, I forgot to add Tennessee’s contribution to, Americas culture? (see post 27)

The KKK, moon pies and Jack Daniel’s whisky. = fat drunk hillbillies.

Jeremiah 16

19 YHVH, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say,

“ Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things.” 20 Will a man make gods for himself, Which are not gods?
21 “ Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know My hand and My might; And they shall know My name YHVH.

54 posted on 05/15/2008 12:14:08 PM PDT by Jeremiah Jr (What would John Lennon do?)
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To: Jeremiah Jr; wardaddy
"So sorry, I forgot to add Tennessee’s contribution to, Americas culture? The KKK, moon pies and Jack Daniel’s whisky. = fat drunk hillbillies.

Despite my pro-Israel stance and sympathy for the Holocaust I find your assessment of my state to be sadly prejudiced and clouded by misconceptions. I'm not a fan of country music but it has brought billions of dollars here thanks to the talents of it's writers, artists and support. Perhaps you don't approve that the majority of those in that business are Protestant unlike that other media hub in Southern California...I wouldn't presume. We surely don't want to dredge up that decrepit conspiracy crap again, do we?

FYI: The gift of Jack Daniels is considered a high honor in Japan and many other countries, the KKK is an outdated joke and Moon Pies are off the menu for most of us mindful of our cholesterol and caloric intake. Tennessee is perhaps the last bastion of conservatism in a South inundated by Yankee liberal carpetbaggers seeking lower taxation and the majority of illegal aliens our Federal government refuses to address, let alone recognize. Yet we endeavor to persevere.

But Goo-Goo Bars...now there's a fight of the will.

55 posted on 05/16/2008 9:47:34 PM PDT by NewRomeTacitus
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To: Tennessee Nana

Bredesen might veto it....he’s a yankee yeller dog with a pc streak mighty wide


56 posted on 05/16/2008 10:43:17 PM PDT by wardaddy (Obama is for the Deliverance Was A Documentary crowd)
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To: FRForever

when this nation became a prisoner to the whims of minorities ..yes...including Jewish atheists

is when we made a wrong turn which will still suffer from

I’d say the Warren Court was the watershed


57 posted on 05/16/2008 10:45:23 PM PDT by wardaddy (Obama is for the Deliverance Was A Documentary crowd)
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To: Jeremiah Jr
Have you ever noticed terrible things happen when the goyim read the Bible?

Have you ever noticed terrible things happen when the goyim read the Bible Jews neglect the word given them from God?

58 posted on 05/16/2008 10:49:38 PM PDT by wardaddy (Obama is for the Deliverance Was A Documentary crowd)
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