America’s Fourth Founding Document: Returning the Bible to Schools

Last month, Texas became the first state in the nation to return the Bible to classrooms, with legislators voting to adopt a curriculum that includes the historical and literary aspects of Scripture. Oklahoma and Louisiana have similarly included the Bible and Ten Commandments at their schools.

While 77% of Texans and 68% of all Americans identify as Christians, about 80% of the 1,000 parents who responded to a survey by the Bible Literacy Project in 2017 said they support biblical education in public schools because they feel it benefits their child’s comprehension of art, literature, and music.

“Separation of Church and State” Fallacy

Mainstream media has responded in unison to these events, citing “separation of church and state” fallacies and other misinterpretations of the First Amendment. However, the U.S. Supreme Court established in Abington Township School District v. Schempp (1963) that academic Bible classes in public schools are not only constitutionally permitted, but are important for upholding governmental neutrality in guaranteeing religious freedoms.

As Justice Tom C. Clark opined:

It certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities. Nothing we have said here indicates that such study of the Bible or of religion, when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education, may not be effected consistently with the First Amendment… The place of religion in our society is an exalted one, achieved through a long tradition of reliance on the home, the church and the inviolable citadel of the individual heart and mind.

U.S. Supreme Court justices in 1963.

Justice Potter Stewart added:

As a matter of history, the First Amendment was adopted solely as a limitation upon the newly created national government … primarily an attempt to insure that Congress would be powerless to establish a national church, but would also be unable to interfere with existing state establishments. Each State was left free to go its own way and pursue its own policy with respect to religion.

For a compulsory state educational system so structures a child’s life that, if religious exercises are held to be an impermissible activity in schools, religion is placed at an artificial and state created disadvantage. Viewed in this light, permission of such exercises for those who want them is necessary if the schools are truly to be neutral in the matter of religion. And a refusal to permit religious exercises thus is seen not as the realization of state neutrality, but rather as the establishment of a religion of secularism.

Stewart clarified that the Constitution does not bar the use of government property, such as public schools, for religious purposes: “On the contrary, this Court has consistently held that the discriminatory barring of religious groups from public property is itself a violation of First and Fourteenth Amendment guarantees.”

Alliance Defending Freedom, the world’s largest legal organization protecting the freedoms of speech and religion, has defended students’ rights to pray together in school during free time, distribute religious fliers, have Bible clubs, depict the Bible and religious symbols in artwork, and share their beliefs, just as schools permit other secular activities that don’t disrupt operations.

Poorly informed teachers and school administrators have become unnecessarily wary of anything religious for fear of doing something wrong, according to Bible2School, a nonprofit public school ministry. In doing so, this paralyzing fear often silences children’s religious freedoms. While 94% of parents with children in public schools say it’s important for their children to express their faith, only 68% feel their child can do so. In a white paper for Christian families, Bible2School explains that constitutionally, children can practice their faith wherever they are. Students can pray, read, and share a Bible or other religious materials; have prayer groups and clubs; wear religious clothing and jewelry; and share music, artwork, and other expressions of faith.

America Is America Because of the Bible

No book shaped America’s founding more than the Bible. This important aspect of American history is undeniable, but seldom taught in public schools as religion is increasingly being removed from the public square.

Millions of young people no longer understand or appreciate what it once meant to be an American, grasp and value the unique freedoms and self-government established in our Constitution, or share the Founders’ assurances concerning the guiding protections of divine providence.

After decades of revisionist secular education, America has lost its soul, as Founding Father Roger Sherman, a man of Christian faith, once wrote:

Sad will be the day when the American people forget their traditions and their history, and no longer remember that the country they love, the institutions they cherish, and the freedom they hope to preserve, were born from the throes of armed resistance to tyranny, and nursed in the rugged arms of fearless men.

Returning the Bible to schools is perhaps one of the most important ways we can begin to heal our nation and unify and restore our country. The Bible is fundamental to America’s history — and to her future.

Sandy Szwarc is a retired registered nurse who has written for more than 40 years on science, medicine, nutrition, energy, healthcare, medical ethics, and public policy. She lives in west Texas. Follow her at JunkfoodScience.weebly.com.