Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said Sunday on CNN's “State of the Union” that the Bible should be “taught in schools” as a historical and cultural document.
Host Dana Bash said, “I want to hear about what's going on right now with the Texas Board of Education, which this week encouraged public schools to use a voluntary curriculum that incorporates Bible lessons.'' for the first time this year in your home state of Oklahoma. You are a pastor and a public servant, and both of these issues are very close to your heart. Do you think it is appropriate to incorporate religion into public education in this way?”
Professor Lankford said, “Oklahoma allows students to receive religious education off campus if they want to receive actual religious education; they can do that off campus. choir, band, or other Like many electives, they have the opportunity to receive religious education outside of school.Therefore, conversations about the Bible should not have a religious tone. My Christian faith has had a dramatic impact on my life. I know that I am the primary teacher of my faith to my children.No public school teacher should do that.But what I am saying is that the Bible is also part of Western civilization. It is part of our nation's founding. Many of the founders were very passionate about scripture and the Bible and studied it. Therefore, as a historical document, as a cultural document, as a religious document, it should absolutely be taught. That’s up to parents and off-campus faith leaders.”
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