Editorial: Bible classes teach values

Rules around bible in schools are being changed.

The possibility that Bible in schools classes may have to be held at lunchtime or after school, rather than during class time, could effectively put an end to kids being taught about Christianity in schools at all.

I can't see kids willingly giving up their lunch or staying after school to go to a Bible lesson.

The Secular Education Network has just made public some of the suggestions the Ministry of Education is considering around the future of Bible in schools lessons and that is one of the major changes being considered. To me, that's a sad situation.

Yes, I am a Christian but, beliefs aside, there are many reasons for the classes to continue. For one, our calender is based around Christian holidays.

Already, it surprises me how many young people do not know why we celebrate Christmas and Easter. It's important for children to learn the reasons behind the holiday and why they are two of the three occasions each year when shops are required to be closed.

Secondly, it teaches kids basic values we all hold to.

Every good parent, Christian or not, strives to teach their children basic values.

Those values are ones that are found and illustrated throughout the Bible.

Honesty, faithfulness, kindness, integrity, gentleness, self-control, patience, love for others - they are all strong themes in the Bible.

They are also attributes that will stand children in good stead as they go through life. No one would argue with that.

The story of Daniel and the lion's den teaches integrity and the story of Joseph teaches faithfulness, kindness, integrity, patience and love, and the list goes on.

From my memory of Bible in school classes, Christianity was never pushed on us. We were simply taught what the Bible says about Jesus and some of the well-known Bible stories.

Surely knowledge of the God our country's founders believed in, and which we sing of in the national anthem, does no harm.

It is up to every individual to decide if they really do believe Jesus died on the cross and rose again to forgive us of our sins.