The Importance of the Bible in American Education

The most important and influential book ever written – The Holy Bible.  You don’t need to be a believer to appreciate its impact on history, literature, ethics or philosophy.  The Bible is the most widely read and broadly translated book in the history of the world.  Could a young man or woman’s education be complete without exposure to this most important of books?  In a survey conducted by The Gallup Organization for The Bible Literacy Report 2005, forty of forty-one high school English teachers said, “Bible knowledge confers a distinct educational advantage on students”.

Yet, in a parallel survey of 1,002 teenagers only 8% of teens reported that their school offered an elective course on the Bible.  So what happened?  Under relentless legal pressure our public schools have removed any reference to the Bible from the classroom.  In effect school officials have compromised student education in the mistaken belief that they were reducing exposure to legal action.  Actually the Supreme Court has held that public schools may teach students about the Bible as long as such teaching is “presented objectively as part of a secular program of education.”

In his majority opinion Supreme Court Justice Clark wrote, "…it might well be said that one's education is not complete without a study of comparative religion or the history of religion and its relationship to the advancement of civilization.  It certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities." (1963 School District of Abington v. Schempp)

And how can a young student understand the history of our country without exposure to the Bible?  Our Founding Fathers were men of great faith.  That faith inspired them to take the actions that led to the Declaration of Independence.  That same faith guided them in writing our Constitution, which has proven to be a brilliant governing document.  Can one understand the motives and principles that led to our Constitution without knowing the nature and religious convictions of our Founding Fathers?  There is certainly ample evidence that the Bible was held in high regard. 

President Thomas Jefferson, “I have always said and will always say, studious perusal of the Sacred Volume will make us better citizens”.  

President George Washington, “It is impossible to rightly govern without God and Bible”

President Andrew Jackson, “The Bible is the rock on which this Republic rests.”

Founder & Patriot Patrick Henry, "The Bible is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed."

The principle mission of Inspired Learning Center is to restore Constitutional Bible study programs to our public schools.  We have developed a systematic strategy that combines our expertise, local civic/church groups and specialized support organizations.  Our approach builds community awareness, then consensus followed by implementation and ongoing support.