I watched an amazing TV science show on the Science channel, about the early Universe and the Big Bang. It's fascinating how scientists, astronomers, cosmologists and astrophysicists with incredible scientific instruments and telescopes and huge super computers are trying to find out what happened before the Big Bang and the seconds following it. It's all very scientific and the scientists have done amazing things and discoveries in tracing what happened in the early Universe, before stars and galaxies and atoms, but of course they can't figure it out completely. There is dark matter they have to contend with, which makes up a lot of the Universe and cosmic fog and singularities and places they've discovered back in time, billions of years ago, where physics does not apply. There is so much they are learning but still so much they do not know. They admit, mathematics are "incomplete." Their telescopes are incredible and what they can learn from them, with the help of super computers is itself a miracle of sorts. Naturally, these extremely smart scientists, never mention God (God forbid!) or Divine design, Divine initiative, or God's imprint in the planning of the Universe. By studying light from distance galaxies, it was determined our Universe keeps expanding and the infant Universe before the Big Bang was very, very small and very, very hot.
Trying to understand the early Universe before the Big Bang and seconds afterward, I believe can never be fully understood without accepting the existence of a super-intelligent Supreme Being who set everything into motion and keeps everything in existence. The earliest moments of the Universe won't be solved until scientists accept that God the Creator ("the Super-Force") had a "hand" in creation and set it all in motion. God's mathematical equations and divine design are just perfect, no super computers needed. One scientist said it seems like "the Universe came out of nowhere"......I don't think so! The early Universe grew so fast, so much energy, so much matter, just enough gravity ........a miracle like no other!
NJA
Monday, February 18, 2019
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Bible Literacy for Children-Should It Be Taught In Public Schools?
According to an article in USA Today, "Push is on for Bible Ed in Public Schools," there are state legislatures that are considering if students in public schools could be allowed to study the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) and the New Testament. Many believe as I do, that it would be good for children to know and have knowledge of the religious truths of all the major world religions and to study religious texts, so as to have a well rounded education.
According to the latest push, Christian groups believe that bible literacy could help restore traditional values in schools and give students a chance to study the Bible in an academic setting, without a bias.
Of course , there are many that oppose this idea. They say this violates the separation of church and state and this would impose Christian beliefs on public school children.
When I was in public school, growing up in Brooklyn, NY, the Principal read from the Bible, at the beginning of auditorium gatherings. (That was in the late 1950's-'60s.) The passage was always comforting and probably from the Old Testament (since the neighborhood I grew up in was populated by Jewish and Christian families).
According to the ACLU, Bible literacy bills have been introduced in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia. None of the previous bills introduced in 2018 passed.
Can biblical texts and other religious texts be taught in school without the presence of proselytizing? I think so. Would it help students to have a well rounded education and to be aware of the belief systems of other believers? Why can't a world religion course be taught in public school to promote religious tolerance and promote world peace through understanding and knowledge?
Parents are the primary religious educators of their children. It's up to parents to make sure their children read a children's bible and discuss it with them and send them to religious education classes. Because ultimately, sadly, I don't think any of these bills will pass. It's going to be up to parents to realize the importance of children growing up with biblical truths and knowledge of the true, the beautiful and the good.
NJA
According to the latest push, Christian groups believe that bible literacy could help restore traditional values in schools and give students a chance to study the Bible in an academic setting, without a bias.
Of course , there are many that oppose this idea. They say this violates the separation of church and state and this would impose Christian beliefs on public school children.
When I was in public school, growing up in Brooklyn, NY, the Principal read from the Bible, at the beginning of auditorium gatherings. (That was in the late 1950's-'60s.) The passage was always comforting and probably from the Old Testament (since the neighborhood I grew up in was populated by Jewish and Christian families).
According to the ACLU, Bible literacy bills have been introduced in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia. None of the previous bills introduced in 2018 passed.
Can biblical texts and other religious texts be taught in school without the presence of proselytizing? I think so. Would it help students to have a well rounded education and to be aware of the belief systems of other believers? Why can't a world religion course be taught in public school to promote religious tolerance and promote world peace through understanding and knowledge?
Parents are the primary religious educators of their children. It's up to parents to make sure their children read a children's bible and discuss it with them and send them to religious education classes. Because ultimately, sadly, I don't think any of these bills will pass. It's going to be up to parents to realize the importance of children growing up with biblical truths and knowledge of the true, the beautiful and the good.
NJA
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