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The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. … The Bible … should be read in our schools in preference to all other books. (If we remove it) … we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them.” (Dr. Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence)
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Crime doesn’t pay, either for the criminal or most certainly not for his victim(s). Shootings at a school in Columbine, a movie theater in Aurora, a school at Sandy Hook, and now rampant violence in Ferguson, MO, are only the most egregious examples. So, what can we do to help these and other crimes, especially with our children going back to school this week?
Perhaps, as one of our most respected Founding Fathers, Dr. Benjamin Rush suggests above, one of the best ways to combat crime is to bring the Bible back into our public schools. To make that point, historian David Barton points to court-ordered bans on school prayer and Bible reading in the early 1960’s as contributing to our moral decline and to the corresponding increase in crime.
Therefore, in this week’s continuing TV series on America’s Godly Heritage, he explores the role that education – and particularly the Bible – played in building strong moral foundations in our early communities and for our national well-being. For example:
— What did the Founding Fathers see as the most important role of education, why did they believe the Bible should be the primary textbook, and what did they warn would happen if it were ever removed?
— How did some of the other early school textbooks deal with religion, and would they be permitted to be used in our public schools today? If not, why not?
So, against this background, what can we do to bring the Bible back into our public schools as an important step toward rebuilding America on the Judeo-Christian values and enduring principles of our Founding Fathers – and reducing crime in the process?
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Valley Faith in Actionairs five times on WAZT-TV, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, again at 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, and finally at Wednesday midnight. That is on Comcast Cable Channel 13 in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham area but varies in other locations. You can also watch this and past programs online HERE anytime.
We deeply appreciate your continued support of these programs. All gifts are tax-deductible and can be sent to the Valley Family Forum at 3465 Izaak Walton Dr., Harrisonburg, 22801.
Reminder: To learn more about our Judeo-Christian heritage, sign up for the Heritage Seminars that begin on Tuesday evening, Oct. 7, and for the Heritage Tour of Washington DC on Saturday, Nov. 8. For reservations, contact us by return e-mail or call (540) 438-8966.
For God and Country,
Dean
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