"This country was founded by Christians whether you like it or not. Knowledge of the Bible should be part of any good curriculum."
Perhaps, but they were very careful to avoid making this nation officially Christian and to guarantee that all citizens, regardless of their religion, would have equal rights.
I doubt that the Bible readings in your school, never mind the prayers, had the intention of merely being an education on what the Bible said.
My point stands. Citizens of this nation are of all faiths, with about 5% or so having no religious beliefs at all. Every single one of those citizens is equal to every other citizen. Religious education belongs in the home and church, not in the public schools.
If we include study of the Qu'ran, the Bhagavad Gita, Tao Te Ching, some Buddhist Sutras, and some philosophy from atheists on the benefits of secular humanism, etc., in a comparative religion class, that would be appropriate. Or do you just want to carve out a special exception for your bible. (The protestant version, no doubt.)
There were a few Deists in there as well, and were a significant driving force behind explicitly wanting a separation of church and state. Christians don't seem to like to remember that.
As long as we're stuck with government schools, I agree with you. But why eliminate science class? Just add a Bible elective. Or better, add Old Testament and New Testament.
These groups are spending a lot of time and money attacking the sciences when they could be advocating something that 75% of Americans already agree with.
I agree with you mlc...teach the living you know what out of the Bible during history and philosophy. Leave it out of science class.