Time replaces cover story on Bush losing Afghanistan with call for teaching the Bible in schools

[Bjorn Against]

It is not just Newsweek that is unwilling to tell it's US audience that the war in Afghanistan was a complete failure. Time Magazine's latest issue has been released and in everywhere but America the cover story is on "Talibanistan" but here we get the story "Why We Should Teach the Bible in Public School".

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601070402,00.html

The liberal media strikes again.

[pinto]

1. Good catch. This has happened before. Marketing (sales) ploy? All issues

carry the "Talibanistan" piece. :shrug:

[Bjorn Against]

2. They all carry the Talibanistan piece, but it is not on the cover in the US

There are far more people who see the cover than there are that see the inside of an issue of Time Magazine. Most people see it on the news stands but do not pick it up.

[pinto]

5. Yeah, definitely. I was thinking their marketing felt the US cover would *sell* more

at American newsstands. :shrug:

[w4rma]

15. Sell more ads, not sell more magazines. (nt)

[Atman]

3. Oh, the irony.

Just change the headline on the newspaper a bit...



.

[Supersedeas]

22. painfully so.

[msongs]

4. BTW....we shouldn't teach the bible in school..it is X rated for

rape torture murder incest and genocide and other gross abominations.

then again the above mentioned are not MY family values :-)

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[Atman]

7. It's way worse than Catcher In The Rye or Harry Potter or...

ANY of the other books the righties are always trying to ban. I'd be the first parent to protest it on those grounds alone. Leave the religion out of it; if "the classics" can't be taught because of naughty bits, the Bible certainly has no place in the hands of impressionable children!

.

[Crunchy Frog]

6. .

[kevinbgoode]

8. I absolutely do not trust such courses. . .

particularly when they are apt to bring up the issue of homosexuality and gays who are abused in the schools. And since too many "Christians" interpret verses in such a way to condemn it, I cannot imagine many straight teachers not preaching that message, rather than conducting research about other interpretations.

Since the Bible is a book of "faith," I don't believe it can be taught objectively, and these plans strike me as an extension of forced indoctrination. Would there be electives in witchcraft? Satanism? All of these have historical influences in Western society. Is there a course on White Male Heterosupremacism?

In this course, the indoctrination of religion as "patriotism" is dependent on agreed-upon interpretations, and the diversity of opinions regarding the meaning of scripture is almost countless - yet how could they be introduced or discussed?

Where is the elective offering about homosexuality? Since the primary excuse used by religious groups condemning the gays and removing civil rights is adherence to the "Bible," shouldn't the history of those people be offered? Their experience is intertwined with the history of Western civilization too. . .

[Bjorn Against]

10. Yes, I have no problem with teaching religion, but religion is about more than the Bible

I think having some understanding of religion is extremely important because there is no denying the fact that religion plays a very important role in shaping the lives of billions of people. But religion goes far beyond Christianity and it goes far beyond the Bible. Aside from the many denominations of Christianity we have Islam, Judaism, Hindu, Buddhism, Atheism, Wiccan, Native American and tribal religions, and other traditions.

The religion class I took in college was an absolutely incredible course, and I can about guarantee you that virtually everybody on DU would have loved to have been in that class. We not only looked at religion, but we looked at critiques of religion. We looked at the role religion in the peace movement, the environmental movement, and how gays are treated in different traditions. It was an extremely enlightening class, and I wish every American had the opportunity to get that kind of education on religion. To single out the Bible however is not teaching religion in general, it is teaching one specific set of beliefs. That is what makes what Time Magazine wrong.

[kevinbgoode]

12. I'd wager sexuality has played an even bigger role in the world

and you can bet these same people make sure that information is censored and extremely biased in the classroom.

I have no problem with studying religion in college - but in high school, especially in fundie-laden areas, I just don't trust the professionalism or the intent of the school district. But then, as a gay man, I have a history which certainly recalls how both the bible and God were used in PUBLIC institutions as an excuse to deny my rights or citizenship.

There are just too many people who, thanks to the lack of manners in their upbringing, seem to believe it is their spiritual duty to inform me that I'm "immoral" as I order a sandwich at a restaurant, or go to a walkup window at a bank. I certainly have no intention of putting up with that crap again. . .

[kevinbgoode]

9. Time does appear to be an increasingly rightwing rag

I've noticed for a long time that they regularly embrace conservative viewpoints as if they are the dominant belief of the entire culture.

[Blackhatjack]

11. Remember to cancel those TIME subscriptions and send a message...

... fail to report even any morsel of truth, and people are not going to subscribe.

[MagickMuffin]

13. Off Ye to the Greatest ;=D

Well, Time is the official Mouthpiece for the Mad king Boy George and his band of Merry Gangsters.

[The Count]

14. here's Newsweek with an identical decision earlier:

[garybeck]

21. KEITH SHOULD ASK RICHARD WOLFE ABOUT THIS.

Wolfe is a regular on Countdown and he's a senior editor at Newsweek.

[rainbow4321]

16. 90 percent of heroin in Britain comes from Afghanistan, UK attorney general says

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/25/asia/AS-GEN-Afghan-Drugs.php


Ninety percent of the heroin in Britain comes from Afghanistan's booming poppy trade, Britain's attorney general said, warning that the fight against the drug would not be won overnight.

"Drugs are one of the gravest long-term threats to the development and security of Afghanistan," Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith said during a visit to Kabul's Criminal Justice Task Force, which investigates and prosecutes drug traffickers.

Fazli said that "some generals" have been prosecuted, but that he could not release their names until the cases had wound through the appeals process. Some people from Nigeria and Nepal have also been convicted, he said.

The U.N., in its drug reports, has accused top commanders in Afghanistan's Interior Ministry, which oversees the country's police, of turning a blind eye to the drug trade in exchange for bribes from traffickers.

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. They have to teach it in the public schools because the churches and

their priests and ministers are fucking failures at doing their jobs.

[garybeck]

18. Here's the screenshot. AMAZING.

this is not doctored!



http://www.time.com/time/magazine/europe/

[gatorboy]

19. I can't wait to get to the part where Lot's daughters get him drunk,

so he can impregnate them.

Alcohol, Incest, Fornication.....Now THAT'S family values, mister! And here's hoping for the illustrated version.

[Johonny]

20. Why We Should Teach the Bible in Public School

so you open it up and there is a three word article. "NO good reasons"

Then oh by the way that Afganistan war... not going so well. BTW what's up with that whole shaving head thing?

[DerBeppo]

23. Has anyone read the article in question?

The article on Time's cover is available online and is one of the best I've read from that magazine in at least a year. The fact that the textual cornerstone of Western thought, philosophy and literature is all but ignored by most people is creating a semi-literate society--even amongst the college educated. Universities are lousy with English majors who have no sense of classical Biblical allusions that, along with Greek and Roman mythology, make up the backbone of cultural understanding.

Hell, it's impossible to read and truly understand the documents that created this country without being versed in the many Biblical allusions contained within.

It's not proselytizing, it's educating--and thank you Time for shedding light on this problem.

[Bridget Burke]

30. Yes.

So--schools should teach only The Test & The Bible? (The Taliban would agree--although they prefer a different Holy Book.) Is the Bible really "THE textual cornerstone of Western thought, philosophy & literature"? It's important--but what about the Greeks & Romans? You mention them--but I see no effort to ensure they remain in the curriculum.

What about Biblical bits being pointed out as relevant works are studied?

Aren't most Christian kids exposed to the Bible anyway? I was--& I was raised Catholic, not Christian. (Yes, I know Catholics are Christians. But many Christians here in the Bible Belt don't agree.)

At least the course the writer describes is the less distasteful of the two major offerings. But the article didn't focus on the shortcomings of the other--which may be more popular. The Texas Freedom Network studied the reality of Bible-based education in our Public Schools--right now:

Most Bible courses taught in Texas public schools fail to meet even minimal standards for teacher qualifications and academic rigor....

Most Bible courses are taught as religious and devotional classes that promote one faith perspective over all others....

Most Bible courses advocate an ideological agenda that is hostile to religious freedom, science and public education itself.....

A handful of Texas school districts show that it is possible to teach Bible courses in an objective and nonsectarian manner appropriate to public school classrooms.

www.tfn.org/religiousfreedom/biblecurriculum/texascourses/execsummary/

It's possible to teach about The Bible in public schools. But--mostly--it's being done all wrong.

[DerBeppo]

32. How is this at odds with the article?

The dangers were addressed in his argument and the writer warned against those who would use this as an evangelical tool. Guarding against these dangers are what administrators, school boards, and involved parents are for just as they're there for all kinds of poor teaching methods. Teachers who preach instead of teach are publicaly and professionally ridiculed if brought to light. There have been a few stories on DU that have highlighted such abuse of power.

None of this changes the fact that it is dishonest and virtually impossible for one to consider oneself educated or knowledgeable of Western culture, art or philosophy without a strong understanding and familiarity with the Bible. Belief is not required just as it's not required to believe in the Greek pantheon to understand its influence on Western culture--and it would be just as ridiculous to exclude the Old and New Testaments as it would be to exclude Plato or the Odyssey.

[Bridget Burke]

34. The article pointed out ONE decent example of Bible Teaching.

In Texas, that situation is the exception. I read the Time article--did you follow the link I posted? Here's more:

AUSTIN – Clergy and parents are voicing serious concerns that Bible classes in Texas public schools are of poor quality and promote religious views that discriminate against children from a variety of faith backgrounds.

"The study of the Bible deserves the same respect as the study of Huck Finn, Shakespeare and the Constitution,” said the Rev. Dr. Roger Paynter, pastor of First Baptist Church of Austin. “But in some public schools, Bible courses are being used to promote an agenda rather than to enrich the education of our schoolchildren.”

Rev. Paynter spoke as the Texas Freedom Network Education Fund released a new report on how Texas public schools teach about the Bible. Rabbi Rabbi Neal Katz of Congregation Beth El in Tyler and Margie Medrano, a Roman Catholic parent in Austin, also spoke at the press conference.

The Texas Freedom Network has been monitoring efforts in Texas and other states where groups are trying to use public school Bible courses to promote primarily fundamentalist Protestant religious views not shared by people of most other faiths, said TFN President Kathy Miller. Some courses promote, for example, fringe ideas such as a 6,000-year-old earth, the notion that dinosaurs roamed the earth with Adam and Eve and the belief that God ordained an inferior role for women in society. One district even teaches long-discredited interpretations of Scripture that once were used to justify slavery and segregation.

www.tfn.org/pressroom/display.php?item_id=4322

How are things in your state?

Aren't most kids exposed to the Bible at home--or at Church? Is all culture "Western"? I don't recall whole courses devoted to Greek Mythology--why not a couple of units devoted to world myths & legends? (Oh, wait--Lao Tse, Confucious & the Buddha are not "Western.")

Are the devotees of Aphrodite threatening the Constitution?

[Toots]

36. It certainly is not impossible to understand our founding documents without

having knowledge of the Bible. What would you suggest be given up that is currently being taught to replace it with Bible Study? Kids today are almost overwhelmed by what they must learn. If you start teaching the Bible you must eliminate something that is now considered important to be taught. The very first Treaty signed by a brand new government called the Treaty of Tripoli states without any ambiguity that the USA is in no way a "Christian Nation" A treaty is spelled out in the US constitution as the "Supreme Law of the Land...

[paparush]

24. FUUUUUUUCK!!!! I hate this ... I hate it I hate it!!! ARRGGHHHH!!

[DerBeppo]

25. why?

Hate that the cover is different or that we've become so disconected from our culture that allusions that illuminate an author's meaning and give classic stories context are being systematically lost due to an ever theophobic academia?

[ProfessorGAC]

26. You're Kidding, Right?

Allegories and fables are allegories and fables. There is no contextual element that could be worth teaching these as history. And, teaching one particular book or another is not the solution to illiteracy. That's a logical leap of epic proportions.
The Professor

[DerBeppo]

27. Tell that to...

shakespeare
milton
hemmingway
faulkner
hawthorne
joyce
ect.

It's impossible to teach certain texts when the characters, situations and concepts are so firmly entrenched in Biblical allegory that trying to teach them in some bastardized, philosophically antiseptic objectivist construct completely insults the artist and the art.

Otherwise it's just a painting of an old man and a young man touching fingers on a ceiling.

Who mentioned teaching them as history? I didn't. The article sure as hell didn't. In fact it came out strongly against that. Maybe reading the article in question would be a good first step.

[ProfessorGAC]

29. Nice Try

You backed away from your own premise at nearly the speed of light. Just what context is provided? A historical context. A basis for newer stories from older ones. That would be called, um, history! Sheesh!

And, i wasn't asking anything about whether the article was kidding. I think i was commenting upon your statement that literacy is linked to studying the Bible. And, as of yet, aside from dropping a few names that are apropos of nothing, you've posited no logical cause for making your leap.

And, i would suggest that you are making just as large a leap in your statement "...texts when the characters, situations and concepts are so firmly entrenched in Biblical allegory that trying to teach them in some bastardized, philosophically antiseptic objectivist construct completely insults the artist and the art." In your opinion! That's not a fact. It's simply your opinion. My opinion is that one certainly can.

And, i don't have to make any enormous leaps in logic to assert that anything can be analytically deconstructed and explained. That's what science, medicine, linguistics, economics, and sociologists have been doing for the last 150 years. See? No leap in logic. Just how things actually work.
The Professor

[paparush]

28. I am upset that American's are shielded from reporting. I'm upset

that the company will not run the same cover here that they run around the world. This inconsistency underpins a concerted effort to distort the truth.

[kaal]

31. It's been the norm for decades....

.. it's not only the Times, look at CNN in the US compared to Asia and you'll find them completely different from each other..

[paparush]

33. See, I don't have television. I don't subscribe to cable or satellite or

even rabbit ears. I get my news from the net.

I guess what irks me is the visual representation. All four covers there, together, clearly showing the sugar coating that America gets.

[magellan]

35. This is too malicious to qualify as sugar-coating

The difference between the US cover and all others is nothing short of propaganda. The lead story goes on the cover (or front page top of the fold in newspapers) for a reason. People subconsciously weigh the importance of what they read by where it appears in a publication.

TIME is suppressing one story in favor of another, only in the US, for political purposes. As pointed out above with the earlier Newsweek story on the same topic, this practice -- suppressing stories to keep Americans in the dark -- is rife in all kinds of American media. Our country is very sick and media manipulation is one of the main causes.

One wonders why they even bothered printing the story.