Benefits of Bible study in public schools?

I plan on going to the principal of my school soon, and asking to start organizing an after-school, Student Led, Christian Bible Study... to all those ppl who think this is a violation of the Separation of Church and State... look up the Federal Equal Access Act, before you post anything..





but when i approach the principle i want to have some statistics with me to prove how this will benefit students and the school, make the agreement to have the club, w/o going through a legal debate





specifically:


What percentage of kids attended before/after school bible don't drop out?





What percentage of kids attended before/after school bible studys grades improve after attending said club?








Statistics like this... does anyone have any webpages with said stats? or knows them off the top of their head

Benefits of Bible study in public schools?
There are benefits to studying the Bible, regardless of whether you consider it of divine origin or not. You cannot be a proper student of Western literature without having a familiarity with the Old and New Testaments. The impact these two works have had on Western (and global) culture would make ignoring them an intetllectual mistake.





Don't waste your time pursuing websites with statistics that prove staying out of trouble leads to good grades and higher retention rates - that is common sense. Instead try to get the anti-Bible people to confront their phobia and consider them not as Divine Works of God - DESPITE your personal passions - but as valuable tools for understanding our language, history, and culture.
Reply:If it's student-led, you shouldn't have any problems. But I've yet to hear that it benefits anything other than a resume.
Reply:So kids who read the bible are better than other kids scholastically? I doubt it.





My son just finished 1st grade. I helped in the classroom 2 days a week with reading and math. BY FAR, the ones I know that come from very religious families that go to church regularly and do family bible study were the worst students. Happy, yes, but at the bottom of both the reading groups and math groups and they didn't seem to care about learning.





During science class, they'd attribute everything to god. "How does a rainbow form?" "GOD!" "Let's discuss evolution..." "IT'S WRONG... GOD MADE US!!!"





It literally made me ill.





I say go ahead and let the kids study the bible rather than math, science and reading. And I'll start a pagan group at my son's school. You'll also need to let the Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, etc. start their own study groups as well.
Reply:As long as your principle also allows students of other religions to start similar clubs and it isn't lead by a teacher or mandatory, there is nothing wrong with it. Though I don't think your stats will help any, as studying the bible has very little to do with dropouts or grades.
Reply:An after-school bible study is a highly self-selecting group; I doubt very many (if any) students would be affected one way or another in terms of completing high school based on membership in this group. If they're the sort to join a group like this, they're probably self-motivated enough to finish high school. (Unless you plan on guilting marginal students into joining, and then guilt them into finishing high school, but that's a pretty ridiculous proposition.)
Reply:then it should only be for those who want to study it. otherwise the muslims should have quran study, and the jews torah study...etc.
Reply:You have that right. As long as it's after school, you can do that. Sorry, have no idea where those webpages are, but a simple Google search should help.
Reply:I think you should organize after church science study.





But as far as having bible studies at school, you should think about how you'd feel if someone organized after-school study sessions for other religions, such as Hinduism or Islam or even Wicca or paganism. I would hope you would accept those at your school, too.
Reply:None. There is no benefit to teaching a lie.
Reply:Which interpretation of Christainity will you be requesting?





Mormonism


Eastern Oxythodox


Prysbeterian


Catholic


Church of Religious Science





Or one of the other 33,000 variations ?
Reply:It can be problematic for the school if not all students or parents of the students happen to be Christian. Today's times must take into account political and social correctness for all. Do you believe that there would be no objections voiced if it were Koran studies instead of Bible studies, regardless of how it might be of benefit? Public schools have a difficult enough time doing what they presently do, and wouldn't welcome things that might cause disagreement with other groups that don't think the same way that you do. It might seem like a good idea but, put yourself in non-Christian shoes and see if it still looks good.
Reply:maybe just a bible study not from the Christian perspective so that they can become educated people. For a person to be educated they must have read the bible.
Reply:fine, as long as it;s not compulsory.
Reply:I would participate with this idea. I think it is a excellant idea. The only draw back that I can think of is all the things the kids have to do after school, like soccer, baseball, etc. Unless you brought up the idea to have a after school program for 'free' for those children that go to the Boy Scouts, for example. Free meaning they don't have to pay, except donations to help with materials, like books. I really love this idea!
Reply:Court rulings do not support your position; it is not likely that your request would be approved, and even less likely that courts would tolerate it.
Reply:no
Reply:you should. it would benefit many. sorry can't help you with the stats though. I don't think it would really affect the story since school will be out when you start the meeting. there will be oppisition but I have faith in you. It would be great to discuss the bible after school.





Above: rsaunders


yes the courts do support this.we have one
Reply:we had focus when I was in high school until we got a new principle. But keep in mind that after-school doesn't count really, it's not the same as studying the bible in science class, is what I mean. It's like using a building for a church that isn't a church during certain hours.





it's still 'free will' to participate or not.





you would just be asking your priciple if you could use the school's cafeteria after school. But you'd need a school employee there to 'watch' since they wouldn't just unlock the cafeteria for you every week. That might be your biggest problem, getting that support.
Reply:I can't help you but thats a great idea and hope it all works out too
Reply:Anybody can create a website; if you really want empirical studies, look for an academic journal (if any exist relating to this topic).

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