[LM_NET] Religious Texts

[Sharon Slaney <sslaney@LAKELAND272.ORG>]

I can't imagine any library, especially public school libraries, without
the religious texts of, and information about the major religions.  How
can a library support the curriculum, which includes World History,
without including the books that underpin most of that world history?
Also, the  religious Puritan Literature in our American Literature
textbooks  would be difficult to understand without reference to the
religious texts that support it. Try teaching the famous, "Sinners in
the Hands of an Angry God", without making reference to the Christian
Bible!  I would say, start with the sacred texts of the major religious
and add other sacred texts as money allows.  Remember, many of the minor
Christian sects use the Protestant Bible as their sacred text - as is
the case with the many sects of the other major religions, so it isn't
such an overwhelming task as some would make it.   And you can choose a
good Reference Encyclopedia set that will cover information about the
minor sects.  Some librarians seem to have the same misunderstanding
that some students have: there is no law that says school libraries
cannot include religious texts in the library.  Our district policy
simply states that we provide a balanced view on religion and
controversial issues. Including just a Protestant Christian Bible is
hardly balanced.  Also, aside from the sacred texts, there is a
difference between books that proselytize and those that inform readers
about a religion. I do not include books that proselytize.  

 

Sharon Slaney, Librarian

Timberlake H.S. Library

5973 W. Hwy 54

P.O. Box 909

Spirit Lake, Id. 83869

208-623-6303

sslaney@lakeland272.org

 


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