Baker's first bill, pre-filed Monday, would allow public school districts to teach the New Testament of the Bible or the Hebrew Scriptures as elective social studies courses.
The purpose of the bill is to do the following, according to its text:
-Teach students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory and public policy
-Familiarize students with the contents, the history, the literary style and structure of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament and their influence on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture.
During his campaign, Baker accepted a maximum $2,600 contribution from the Webb City-based Brush Fires PAC, which received the money from the American Federation for Children, a dark money group launched by the family of U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
The American Federation for Children is a major supporter of providing educational vouchers to pay for students to attend private schools and private religious schools.
The dark money group also spent $10,042.06 for advertising supporting Baker during the final days of Baker's primary campaign against Raleigh Drue Ritter and David Osburn.
Though contributions are limited to $2,600, committees can spend any amount they want to support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue.
Baker did not specify any of his stances on education during his campaign, skipping forums at the Neosho Library and Crowder College.
The only mention of education on his campaign website was one brief paragraph:
As a professor and dean of students (Baker is an instructor at Ozark Bible Institute), I understand the importance of a good education. I will fight for excellence in education for all Missouri children.
33 comments:
Jeebus!
Just what the local talibangelicals voted for!
What's next?
Ozark Babble style dress codes?
Don't claim you weren't warned.
What's it matter, it's an "elective" class. I think people would be surprised by the number of students that would take some sort of Bible class in school.
ehhh
Maybe if your plum smugglers weren't pulled up so high you'd be able to smell the rushdoony loony in the air instead of using the "elective" class excuse.
Baker needs to focus on things that benefit our day to day lives, like infrastructure, but he’s an idiot so that’s not even on his radar. We could have had a true representative in Angela Thomas. Smart residents voted for her.
I voted for Angela Thomas because she wanted to represent all of us, not just a few who want to shove THEIR religion down everyone's throats! I knew the minute he was elected this would happen! There are so many important things that need our attention, like health care and jobs! These things would be of benefit to everyone!
More people than you know simply voted for the guy to get him the hell off the Neosho City Council.
Come on down, ACLU. Even Jesus is shaking his head in disbelief.
Remember this on the day that Christ returns, how you were against Him.
You are only hurting yourselves.
Very sad.
"I would point out that this is what the Ozark Bible Institute and College handbook has to say about a course they offer. See page 78
Introduction to Education
This course will give the student an overview of the historical and
philosophical impact of people and ideas on American education.
The contrast between public education and
government education will be presented, and the "messianic character of government education," will be exposed. The Biblical principles
which guide the Christian school movement will be thoroughly ex-
amined, and the ACE monitor training paces will be worked
If one doesn't recognize the phrase "messianic character of government education,"
just put that quote into a search engine. Be careful not to click on the LEW ROCKWELL website links! Actually that's a Rushdoony phrase.
More on Rousas John Rushdoony (scroll to Chalcedon Foundation): https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2005/dozen-major-groups-help-drive-religious-right%E2%80%99s-anti-gay-crusade"
https://rturner229.blogspot.com/2018/10/devos-dark-money-group-funnels-maximum.html?showComment=1540872863226#c3166050302192058935
This is why I no longer vote for Repubs. This is why I do not want Trump impeached-because the bible thumper Pence would want similar things.
Love the religionphobic chatter. "Oh my, someone said the word Bible! My precious child is being brainwashed!" An elective class that no one has to take and people use terms like "shoving down our throats". These comments are some of the most bigoted and ignorant posts I have read on this site... and that's saying something. Instead of being afraid that your child might be exposed to something that you dont believe in, why dont you all try being actual parents and talking to them about why you dont believe in religion?
The Missouri bill bears a surprising* resemblance to bills filed in West Virginia and Kentucky in recent legislative sessions.
Missouri bill: https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills191/hlrbillspdf/0740H.01I.pdf
West Virginia bill: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb2551%20intr.htm&yr=2017&sesstype=RS&i=2551
Kentucky bill: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/17RS/HB128.htm
(Sarcasm, I suspected that Mr Baker wasn't nearly this eloquent and productive all by himself. It appears he could be carrying the water for someone.)
If this bill is approved - then other similar courses need to be offered -(Muslin, Hindu, etc. and yes even - Atheism). A "public" school system - should offer as many different points of view as possible.
This is similar to when the 10 Commandments are placed on "public grounds" - such as a state capital. Then other monuments that express different belief systems - need to allowed.
The "bible thumpers" never give up - and can't tolerate other points of view.
Hell yeah!
Let's be just like they are in Kentucky.
Is it too soon to introduce a bill so the taxpayers can start funding Missouri's own creation museum and ark christian tourist scam?
I'm a public educator (20+) years and a Christian ... Yes, that is possible. There is nothing that would prevent a teacher from using parts of the Bible as a historical or poetic resource now. There is, however, a requirement that the public schools be viewpoint neutral regarding religion. This is, I think, as I should be. Do I personally want all people to know the Gospel of Jesus and accept Him as their Savior - YES. Do I want my local public school to do that - no. Parents/families should be the primary teachers of children with respect to morals and religion. As a Christian I feel an obligation to share the good news of Jesus; but I don't feel like I need to (or should) use any arm of the government to do that! The government shouldn't keep us from practicing our religion, and they should be supporting any single group over another. (NOW - that's probably enough to get the atheists and the Christians upset with me!)
The problem with this is it should really be a general religious studies course. You may not be able to fit them all into a public school class, but you can get enough to teach about wider worldviews.
Can't tolerate others points of view? Read the comments on here. The one person professing to be Christian says that they feel this is inappropriate, while everyone else bashes religion and "bible thumpers"... yet Christian's are intolerant. Geez...
>>>but you can get enough to teach about wider worldviews.
I wonder how interested Brother Baker is in teaching any views other than the ones he believes.
For some reason some evangelicals think they are being persecuted, simply because they aren't allowed to press their particular flavor of religious education/indoctrination upon others.
Again, the reason Brother Baker offered the voters for not offering his views on education, whether of the public of private type...well the public record doesn't have much. Is that a bug, or a feature?
When Jesus walked upon the earth, He showed love and performed endless miracles. He was hated so much that they crucified Him.
It should be no surprise that His Word is still hated by many.
Remember that God's Word is true and never-changing. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of All.
Many will wish they had read His Word and sought Him for Salvation.
May you seek Him now while He may be found. Judgement is coming. Sooner for some. It will be a sad day. I know I don't want to be lost for all eternity.
Acts2:38 is the plan of salvation.
God bless you all.
#ToGodBeTheGlory #MidnightHour #TheWordOfGodNeverChanges
Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of All.
You are free to believe what you want, but
I'm not bowing down and I'm not confessing.
All you zealot christers can
KISS MY A$$
Maybe we should legalize snake handling in Missouri Churches also. I always liked that part of the service.
Oh come on. I am a total non believer and I do not hate anyone. I am tolerant of your religion just as long as you do not attempt to impose your beliefs on me. To tell you the truth, nothing could be more distasteful to me than having to spend eternity in heaven with the likes of Baker.
This is great news!!!
HAs anyone heard if Brother Baker plans to file a "Support Exodus 31:15 Capital Punishment Clarification and Improve the Holiness Of The Day Of Holiness In Missouri Just Like The Bible Says" bill next? That such a bill would also end the 5 day work week could be seen as another holiness bonus- depending which religious zealots you ask! Idle hands and the devils work... Better be thinking of returning to the 12 hour workday too!
Exodus 31:15: Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, holy to Jehovah: whoever doeth work on the sabbath day shall certainly be put to death."
And the hate from the open minded, tolerant crowd flows. The mocking of another person's belief is the sport of cowards. The comments on here aren't an attack on the curriculum mentioned in the story, they are mostly attacks on individuals personal beliefs and views. Bullies who talk about others forcing their beliefs on them while their mob mentality mocks and harasses the ones they accuse. Typical, predictable.
Nice one! You are a wordsmith! And intolerant, too! Bet you are great around kids.
It shouldn't be about what the student want to take and don't want to take as elective courses. This shouldn't be anywhere near public schools. What in the world is wrong with people who don't understand separation of church and state.
Rburch, where in the article does it mention religion? The Christian Bible and Hebrew texts mentioned are some of the oldest manuscripts in our history. If you aren't a believer why can't these texts be viewed as folklore? No where does it say that these books will be studied for religious purposes. I took a class in high school that concentrated on the works of Mark Twain and not one time was I compelled to convince class.ates to paint a fence for me.
>>>The Christian Bible and Hebrew texts mentioned are some of the oldest manuscripts in our history. If you aren't a believer why can't these texts be viewed as folklore?<<<
i HEAR BANJO MUSIC!!!
yALL CAN CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL, BUT IF IT'S bROTHER bEN bAKER oF oZARK bABBLE uNIVERSITY THEN sURE AS A CHICKENHOUSE IS FULL OF CHICKEN SH*T IT COULD BE RELIGION WHOEVER WROTE THIS BILL HAD IN MIND!
ps who ACTUALLY wrote the bill?
7:40, brilliant response. So, in your mind anything ever written by anyone who follows any religion should be disallowed from being taught in public schools? I think someone used the term religionphobic. It applies.
By the way, the whole idea of banjo music came from the movie Deliverance. In that movie the hillbilly playing said banjo was more talented than the guy from the city. That is just something to think about. Oh and nice stereotyping of people, by the way.
>>>By the way, the whole idea of banjo music came from the movie Deliverance. In that movie the hillbilly playing said banjo was more talented than the guy from the city. That is just something to think about.<<<
@ 5:56AM
If you think the big plot takeaway from Deliverance is that the city fellers were surprised that the locals played banjo better than they did...
I was a Bible believing, baptised, born-again Christian as my parents were and their parents were before them. Then, I grew up and started developing these things called thoughts. When I was a child, I thought like a child, as an adult with critical thinking skills I can say I'm glad I escaped the brainless church sheeple and their silly beliefs. If this bill goes through other kids will resent their foolish parents', teachers', and pastors' ignorance like I do. I thank you Ben Baker from the bottom of my fulfilled atheist heart for doing the work of repelling people from your laughable religion for us. Thank you.
God and Guns, what a holy mix.
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