Teacher In Trouble For Ripping Bible

September 14, 2004

Teacher In Trouble For Ripping Bible

BURLEY, Idaho — An Idaho English teacher is in trouble for ripping up a Bible in class.

Burley High’s Karen Christenson said she was trying to illustrate a point about censorship, as her sophomore students read Ray Bradbury’s novel “Fahrenheit 451,” which is set in a future society that commands all literature be burned.

Principal Jeff Harrah said Christenson isn’t a Bible hater. He said she tore up the Bible in an effort to get her students to think about how it feels to have something they consider sacred destroyed.

He added the idea behind the controversial lesson was a good one, but with a bad result.

I’ll say this – the “idea behind the controversial lesson” was not a good one.

A good test of whether it’s Christianity under attack is to substitute another religion in it’s place and see if it still seems like a “good idea.” Could you substitute the Koran in front of Muslim children? Of course not – you would not be considered culturally sensitive to the Muslim children’s needs. Could you stomp on a Buddha in front of Thai children?

The answer to those is “No”. So why would some people think it’s ok to rip up a Bible in front of Christian children?

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Bible, Christ, Christian, Christianity

Posted by:

Michael

Follower of Jesus, conservative, freedom-loving patriot.

6 responses to “Teacher In Trouble For Ripping Bible”

Uptown Girl

September 15, 2004 at 8:54 am

To put this in as few words as possible and to still answer your question, which btw is a good one – – my answer is this:

Why would some people think it’s ok to rip up a Bible in front of Christian children?

Because this is America – – right or wrong. The teacher’s rights are protected and would be fought for by a number of groups including the ACLU – – yet the Christian children will simply be reminded of no prayer in school, no religious items allowed on public school campuses blah blah blah.

Will there come a day when Christians have to hide to worship? I mean look at the rights being upheld for those against prayer, the pledge, the mere mention of God – – where are the rights of those who want to pray, say the pledge and mention God?

I’m rambling

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Anonymous

September 16, 2004 at 3:01 pm

The predominant religion in India is Hinduism (about 80%), not Buddhism (only 1%). Buddhism did start in India, but it has not been a popular belief system there for hundreds of years. There are Tibetan Buddhists in Northern India who fled their home country after the Chinese invaded Tibet. These refugees wouldn’t necessarily be called Indians, however. Buddhism is the main religion and philosophy in several Asian countries, but India is not one of them.

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Courtney

September 16, 2004 at 3:51 pm

Everyone’s beliefs should be respected and upheld to the point where they do not infringe on other’s beliefs.

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Michael

September 16, 2004 at 6:11 pm

I corrected “India” to “Thai” as I must have been sleepy that day.

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Alyssa

January 15, 2006 at 6:33 pm

I was in Mrs. Christenson’s class when she did it. Sadly enough, she is mormon along with the other about 50 percent of the town. My mom called her the next day and asked her why she did not rip up the book of mormon and she was so offended. She could not believe my mom had just asked that. She thought my mom was crazy. The worse thing is, she had our class sign a “contract” saying if we were offended by anything in her class to wait until afterwards to talk to her about it. We had to write for five minutes about what she did and could only read what we wrote, not tell her how much she offended one or few of us. I switched out of her class immediately and was so glad. I could not respect a teacher that solely disrespected me and my beliefs. Students have a bill of rights on a public campus. We can pray, bring bibles, talk with other students about our religion, start clubs, BE EXEMPT, leave when you are offended.She violated one of our rights by not letting us leave or be exempt. I’d say she is a person with no knowledge of how to make a point without making people dislike her!!! I sure as heck don’t!! 😕

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Alyssa

January 15, 2006 at 6:35 pm

I hope that I did not offend anyone by my comment and if I did I’m truly sorry!!

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About Me

Michael, a sinner saved by grace, sharing what the good Lord has shared with me.

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