Beyond
the Pledge of Allegiance:
Hostility to Religious Expression in the Public Square
III. STRIPPED OF FAITH, DEVOID OF GOD:
One or two mistakes or omissions would be understandable, but Houghton Mifflin consistently rewrites "Biblical history" to explain how Israel survived as though God did not exist.
The textbook states:
"In 1020 BC, the Israelites chose
a man named Saul as their first king." (pg 309)
The Bible states: "And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to you of! This same shall reign over my people." (1 Samuel 9:17)
God chose Saul, not the people as the textbook states.
The title of this lesson is "Early Biblical History" and should give Biblical History, not a humanist license to deny God to public school children.
The textbook continues:
"This young boy grew up to become the king of the Israelites."
The textbook fails to mention that Samuel the Prophet had already prophesied God chose David to be king and anointed him with oil. David did not actually become king until after a long string of miraculous events, long after the prophet died. The Bible is rich with quotes from God which are omitted:
"Finally the Lord said to Samuel,
'…for I have selected one of his sons to be My new king."
(1 Sam 16)
Yet Houghton Mifflin presents the Jewish belief as though David just grew up to be king and claims prophets did not tell the future. Why not write indicating "what Jews believe."
The textbook states,
"Solomon showed his skill as a diplomat by making treaties with the pharaoh of Egypt and other rulers. These treaties assured Israel’s safety." (pg 309)
This is a HUGE Bible story about the wisdom and relationship between God and Solomon. Instead, the textbook chooses to credit Solomon independent of God.
The textbook states:
"The prophets taught that God had power over all peoples, not
just the Jews.
As a result, the Jews came to believe that their god alone controlled all
nations and directed the course of history." (pg 311)
This statement discredits the object of Jewish belief, (God) and again credits Jewish belief to the prophets human endeavors alone, who apparently needed time to convince the Jews for they had to "come to believe." God showed Himself over and over again to the Jews throughout the ages, but not according to Houghton Mifflin, their textbook teaches children an atheist version.
This sounds like a disclaimer of validity of the Bible. Because the next paragraph says,
"Although many people believe that the scriptures are a
factual record of biblical times,
most historians combine them with other kinds of evidence."
Is this a self-authenticating license to change what the Bible says? The lesson is titled "EARLY BIBLICAL HISTORY," not the Bible as rewritten by humanist historians. The Bible is the best documented historical record we have. This is an obvious attempt to strip it of faith yet acknowledge its valuable historical contributions by melding their sanitized version to "other kinds of evidence" to present a humanist history.
IV. CHIPS AWAY AT THE ROOTS:
The textbook states:
"The ancestors of the Israelites
worshipped many gods, including Baal…
however the Israelites came to believe
that there was only one true god."
The textbook is supposed to write what the Israelites believed. The Israelites believed God called them out. Evidence proves that before Ba’al as well as other polytheistic religions, people believed in monotheism (one God). Which is exactly what God tells us in the Bible, as He called Abraham out from nations seeking other gods. To teach children that the Israelites just "came to believe" conveys the message that they just changed their mind. This is supposed to be a unit about the Bible and what was believed, not a humanist opportunity to tear it apart unanswered.
THE ANCIENT GREEKS UNIT
This section was not carefully examined, but it was noted that in the Review section, a writing activity was given to:
"Make up a story about the Greek god Zeus and one of his children mentioned in the chapter. You might use your story to explain an event in Greek history, an aspect of Greek culture, or a natural phenomenon such as a thunderstorm, earthquake, or flood."
What kind of conclusions do public educators expect if they ask children to make up stories of gods explaining a thunderstorm, earthquake, or flood? I wonder if children would think, "Gee, that was easy." I wonder if they would look at matters of faith and wonder if somebody else just made them up as easily. The authors HAD to have realized this possibility, as many of the lessons suggest this is the goal.
Just as the authors also knew what would happen if children were asked to pick a religion and represent it in a debate. With only warped humanist lessons about each religion, students attempting to defend their chosen religious beliefs would feel pressed to fake knowledge, become tangled in ridiculous arguments and collectively decide every religion is ridiculous, wrap them all up and throw them away.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is clear that public school "pluralism" and "diversity" are merely a new form of secular humanism. Religion devoid of faith is atheistic by nature impeded by "critical thinking" guided by teachers that by law cannot profess faith. Without faith it is secular humanism. It is a total violation of religious freedom. To measure faith by secular standards defies reason. Just because atheists can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there, and teachers and textbooks ought not be allowed to claim that it isn't, forcing their own ideology. Public educators will claim they do not deny faith, but it’s written in black and white in the textbooks!
As the textbook quoted,
"These very winds forget their way,
For God from these dread seas is gone.
Now speak, brave Admiral, speak and say-"
He said; "Sail on! Sail on! And on!"
Public schools have forgot their way. Stop the ship. Americans want to get off.
The liberal left has demanded that "under God" be removed from the Pledge. If our government agrees and continues to strip us of our heritage and religious freedom, millions of Americans will not pledge allegiance to a godless country. Like Rome, this nation will fall. And again, historians will find a way to "blame the Christians" if any of us survive.
Thank you for your valuable consideration of these matters.
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