Minnesota Atheists member Grant Steves discusses issues surrounding the issue of teaching the Bible as literature in public schools. Teaching the Bible in public schools is not unconstitutional, however, there are concerns which should be raised about which text books should be used, who is writing those books, and why. Also important is how it is taught by a teacher. A teacher must control his or her inner preacher or inner atheist when presenting the Bible as literature. Despite the concerns, there are legitimate reasons for teaching the Bible as literature in schools. Much of other literature makes reference to symbolism within the Bible. Poems, songs, movies, even the news can use quotes which are contained within the Bible, and it can be important to understand the context in which phrases are used. 

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