Divided States of America
I remember when I was in the 4th grade; my teacher, Mrs. Ledford, would read from the Bible (KJV/ King James Version) out loud, every day. I didn’t go to a private Christian school; this was the public school system back in the ’70’s. She would read to the classroom- out loud- one chapter a day from the Bible. It was part of our daily learning, and it was not uncommon at the time.
Before we ate our daily lunches in the cafeteria, our teachers would instruct us to bow our heads at the table as we all joined together to pray over our food. Back then, the Iranian hostage crisis was still gaining momentum, and so we all wore cloths tied around our arms in support of our American hostages that were being held, and sometimes beaten, daily. I was too young to really understand the situation much; but I wasn’t unfamiliar with prayer- having been raised in a Pentecostal family. Prayer was, and still is, a very important part of my life. We stood with our hands over our hearts in the auditorium, pledging allegiance to our flag- and our country. I had a reason to feel proud of my country back then. Now, I’m filled with shame and disgust that our country has virtually banned God (and Jesus) from the classroom. I’m no longer proud of my country.
At W.R. Castle Elementary school, in Johnson County Kentucky, students are participating in the traditional “A Charlie Brown Christmas” play. What makes this particular Christmas program so important and so special, is that its creator, Charles Schultz, realized that few programs during the time of its creation were focusing on what Christmas is truly about- the miraculous birth and celebration of Jesus Christ- the Son of God.
Mr. Schultz stated that he purposely included a passage from the Bible that explains just exactly what Christmas is really about. Not Santa Claus. Not toys. Not the commercialism and hubbub of what it’s become over the years- but rather, the moving Christmas story that accompanies Jesus’ Holy birth at the manger, among lowly farm animals, and the 3 Magi who were guided to the manger by following the bright star in the night sky.
The telling of this story has been a Christmas tradition for many years and I remember my teachers telling this story to me every year in my classrooms at school. There was a feeling of charity and warmth in the air as we all learned about Jesus’ birth, as several teachers discussed the precious oils (Frankincense and Myrrh) and other gifts that the Magi/Wise men brought with them to give to Jesus.
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the ever-driven “politically correct” God-banners are having none of this. They petitioned the school board at W.R. Castle Elementary school and are fighting to have the Bible passages- and all references pertaining to Jesus– removed from this Christmas play.
FYI, to whom it may concern, Jesus isn’t merely part of a Christmas story– Jesus IS the Christmas story. In the Charlie Brown Christmas story, Linus explains the meaning of Christmas to Charlie Brown, who is under the impression that Christmas is about a tree and other synonymous symbols. Charles Schultz went on to create this necessary and important conversation between Linus and Charlie Brown:
Charlie Brown: “I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn’t have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don’t know what Christmas is all about. Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
Linus: “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.”
(Linus) Taken from the Bible/Luke 8: 2-14: “And there were (in the same country) shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Linus: “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
I can understand disallowing students (or school officials) from forcefully pushing an agenda onto other students–who may not be interested in that agenda–but this is not the case. We’re talking about elementary school children who have a right to learn about the birth of Jesus Christ in an educational and historical context. They have a right to know and learn this information!
Since when did it become “o.k.” to alter historical content in such a way? It is altogether evil to ban “the story of Jesus’ birth”- from a Christmas play during Christmas time.
We’ve reached a new low in this country.
Taken from an interview with Charlie Brown creator, Charles. M. Schultz:
I agree, Mr. Schultz.
The Importance of Biblical Essays in College Classrooms
I remember when I was a college freshman back in 2010; I was in English Comp. I. My professor (name withheld for confidentiality purposes) had no use for APA (American Psychological Association) formatting, being an English professor, naturally, and so he was introducing us all to MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting. For anyone who happens upon this post, APA is for academic applications pertaining to the social sciences (such as psychology, psychiatry, anthropology, etc.) MLA formatting refers literature, linguistics, political science and many other majors and areas that exclude social sciences. Areas such as Forensic Anthroplogy and similar majors are interchangeable between the two formats.
Our job for one particular essay we were to write, included writing about any essay topic we wanted to choose, just as long as we didn’t cite the Bible. Anyone who knows me well automatically knows that I would have a huge problem with that. The Bible, to some, is merely a book of “mythological collections” of stories and things, made up from a group on men that may or may not have been influenced by God. Using that philosophy, my professor explained that the Bible had no place in academic writings! I was offended and utterly shocked that he would discredit a book that is more than a collection of stories to millions of people: It is the manual to the very core of what many people believe in, stand for, and try to live by. I was prepared to fight for my stand and rights in this area!
I wrote my professor privately, imploring him to change his mind and stated that the Bible has its place in the world of academia, just as much as Shakespeare and other works. I was particularly offended that he didn’t ban the Koran, or any other religious works other than the Bible. In fact, he didn’t discredit anything at all other than the Bible.
I could tell that my battle was not going to be easy but I wanted to reach the professor on his level. The only way I was going to get through to him would be to speak his language. So, I decided to write my essay about the importance of using the Bible in college essays. Sneaky sneaky. 🙂
But it worked! I wrote m essay using a collection of quotes and saying from my professor’s very cohorts- other professors from Princeton, Yale and superior colleges and their views on using the Bible as an academic citation and its importance. If he didn’t listen to me, then perhaps he would consider the thoughts and feelings of his peers.
After reading my essay, my professor issued a public apology in the announcements section stating that he had decided to revise his instructions, and that now the Bible would be allowed to be used for citations in academic writings. He also emailed me privately and apologized, telling me that he changed his curriculum- even the syllabus- to include that information.
That’s huge! I was greatly comforted knowing that future Christian students (and nonChristian students- anybody) would be allowed to use the Bible in their writings and cite it. Major victory.
And for anyone who might want to read my essay- one of the first of my academic papers- I’m publishing it below. This is for educational purposes only and anyone who considers taking it and using it for their own paper should know that most reputable and accredited colleges use Turnitin- an academic plagiarizing system. Any essay/peer review/college paper that you submit is run through this filtering system. If so much as 5 words used consecutively pop up together- it’ll link it back to my essay here and you’ll be busted. If your school doesn’t use Turnitin (or anything similar) – run fast and far away from that school; it’s worthless.
Enjoy!
By the way, I received an A. 😉
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The Importance of Biblical Citations in College Essays
When researching how to cite from the Bible using MLA style, it is noteworthy to include that more than five-hundred pages appear immediately on Google’s search engine with the instructional information. Clearly, it is evident that Biblical citations are of great importance in college essays. A student need not attend a Christian college to write a paper that requires Biblical references any more than a person needs to be a priest in order to pray over his or her food. Disallowing the Bible as a direct source or reference in college essays can be compared to scholastic surgery and academic amputation. By prohibiting students the use of what is considered by many to be the most important book ever written, an instructor is prohibiting not only the access and use of the Bible, but the very belief system of the student. Packed with codes and ethics, parables and proverbs, the Bible is, for many, not just a book, but a life manual.
Greek and Roman Mythology has long been considered acceptable academic college curriculum, but there seems to be an undisputable amount of professors who are in favor of using Biblical works in the college classroom as well. Gerald Bruns, an English professor at Notre Dame said, “You can’t really study Western literature intelligently or coherently without starting with the Bible. . . . You’re simply ignorant of yourself,” (Wachlin). One might conclude that if the Bible is considered acceptable college curriculum, using the Bible for citations and references is not only acceptable, but practical. When asked to compile a list of concentrations that would enrich their students significantly by reading the Bible, the professors produced the following:
- Doing everything or almost everything with texts.
- Studying all subsequent literature and culture.
- Being richer more sophisticated readers.
- Recognizing literary allusions, references, typology and echoes.
- Understanding how characterization in novels and thematic levels in poetry are linked to Biblical allusions.
- Grasping things directly without having to make the three-way connection through footnotes, through explanatory things.
- Understanding and recognizing the idea of the Christ figure.
- Reading specific authors.
- Hearing Toni Morrison’s “voice.”
- Finding their way around a text.
- Possessing a solid advantage in understanding Victorian art and literature.
- Not needing translation when learning Old English.
- Understanding the parable genre.
- Doing literary analysis.
- Understanding questions of canonicity and non-Biblical literature.
- Appreciating the tone of the politics of the 16th and 17th centuries.
- Making personal connections.
- Discussing “meaning” and “values” with understanding and insight.
Again, it is noteworthy to point out that the professors work in secular colleges that are not Christian or faith based. Professor Goldsmith of Berkeley College had this to say, “I’m always impressed by how excited students are, in part because when you take a literary approach to the Bible and read the text closely, the text itself is so fascinating and strange that students are amazed when they encounter it. . . .They come to it with a whole set of preconceptions; they have ideas either from religious training, or because they’ve avoided religious training. But when they actually sit down to read the Bible, they’re fascinated. I know that’s a class where I can get students hooked in the first week,” (Wachlin). Without the ability to cite directly from the Bible, it is still possible to write an essay or research paper about the Bible, but the references will be watered down in comparison if in fact, a passage or Biblical quotation is needed.
When a college professor disallows the Bible to be used for citations, he or she might also be saying, “You may not discuss anything pertaining to God, for you will not be allowed to cite it.” Such an infraction can be considered an infringement of the student’s rights. A professor should not strip away the rights of a student any more than he or she should be allowed to infringe upon them. The banning of the Bible in the college classroom is not only heinously one-sided; but a perpetuation of ignorance. For example, if a student were to write a paper on Biblical statutes pertaining to the law circa 2,000 B.C., he or she would have to rely on Encyclopedia articles or website information; but not be allowed to go to the very source of information where the statutes originate. More than 2,000 years of history is immediately cut off from the student when the Bible is forbidden as a citation resource. David Humpal, the author of “The Importance of God’s Word”, raised a valid point when he said, “The Bible is not just one big book, but actually a collection of 66 smaller books written over a period of at least 1600 years by about 40 different authors. Everything they wrote was inspired by God,” (Humpal). By prohibiting students to use the Bible as a reference in college essays, professors are actually forbidding the students access to sixty six individual books, full of detailed, historical information covering everything from recorded births and deaths, to ongoing precepts and laws.
Humpal adds in a bulleted reference, Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away,” (Humpal), taken from the Holy Bible. According to Humpal’s reference, heaven and earth will one day become void, but the words in the Bible will continue on. This is even more reason to believe that the Bible should not be banned from college works, considering that many literary works that are used in the classroom are based on Biblical passages, such as Shakespeare and Hemingway.
Considering that the very foundation of many literary works comes from Biblical references, it should not have to be said that the Bible holds great value in the college classroom. To disallow such a precious resource is to rob a student of his or her literary maturity and thwart their potential progress in many areas. Removing the Bible from the list of citable works adds one more notch in the belt of hypocrisy in the classroom. For if you ban God and His Word, so too must you ban the devil and his literary works as well, and no man can be the judge and appoint himself such a high seat as that.
Works Cited
Wachlin, Marie. “SBL Publications.” Society of Biblical Literature. Society of Biblical Literature, 2012. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://www.sbl-site.org/publications/article.aspx?articleId=757>.
Humpal, David. “The Importance of God’s Word.” The Importance of God’s Word. 1997. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://www.hurtingchristian.org/PastorsSite/topicalstudies/godswo.htm>.
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