The Bible in American Public Schools
The SBL consults with public school administrators and teachers as they consider offering Bible electives. The SBL will provide training and teaching resources, as well as lesson plans.
 A copy of Bible Electives in Public Schools: A Guide can be viewed on-line (340KB) or print copies ordered by e-mailing Moira Bucciarelli.
*Mac users - You will need to view the pdf with Acrobat Reader, not Preview.* |
To subscribe to Teaching the Bible:
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Teaching Standards and Curriculum Design
Standards for Florida Bible Courses
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The following graphic illustrates the content and organization of various Bibles. The chart is interactive. When you hover your mouse over any of the symbols or the footnotes, the symbol and footnote information are displayed in a mouse over function. Graphic courtesy of Bible Study Magazine.
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Luke Timothy Johnson review of The Bible and Its Influence
“A Bible Curriculum for Public Schools,” Christian Century, Feb. 21, 2006, 31-37.
The Bible and Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide
SBL has worked with The Bible Literacy Project and the First Amendment Center to provide a written framework for discussion of the issue of teaching Bible in public schools while adhering to the first amendment to the Constitution. (The pdf is 20 pages and 1.84 MB)
New International Guidelines for Teaching Religion in Public Schools
A commentary on the guidelines by Charles C. Haynes of the First Amendment Center:
To Advance Religious Freedom, Teach About Religion
Bible Electives in the News
A report on teacher training efforts in Texas
Bible valid as an Academic Subject by Kent Richards, Atlanta Journal Constitution,
“Bibles in the Classroom? It’s OK, but be sure to teach, not preach” by Michael D. Simpson, NEA Today February 2008
“Alabama Picks a Bible Textbook” by David Van Biema, Time Magazine
"The Case for Teaching the Bible” by David Van Biema, cover article for Time Magazine, March 22, 2007.
First Amendment Center article by Charles Haynes, “Playing politics with the Bible: Coming to a school near you?” April 16, 2006
Mark Chancey, “Bible Courses in Public Schools: SBL’s Response to a Growing Trend”
Leonard Greenspoon, “Bible Literacy Polls” SBL Forum
David Levenson, “University Religion Departments and Teaching about the Bible in Public High Schools: a Report from Florida” SBL Forum
Teaching the Bible in Public Education Task Force
If you'd like to help, or if you have news about events in your area to convey to the task force, please contact one of the members below:
Members of the Task Force:
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Mark A. Chancey, co-convener
Associate Professor of Religious Studies
Southern Methodist University
Carleen R. Mandolfo, co-convener
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Colby College
Richard Layton
Associate Professor of Religious Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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David Levenson
Associate Professor of Religion
Florida State University
Moira Bucciarelli
Public Initiatives Coordinator
Society of Biblical Literature
Steve Friesen
Louise Farmer Boyer Chair in Biblical Studies
University of Texas
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Links to recent court cases
“District to Settle Bible Suit” by Neela Banerjee, New York Times, March 6, 2008
Moreno v. Ector County Independent School District Board of Trustees - Complaint (5/16/2007)
Contact us:
If you are an SBL member and would like to get involved in our public outreach efforts, or if you have additions to the links on this page, please contact:
Moira Bucciarelli.