Bibles in Iowa schools sparks outrage, but this Iowa City class takes Bible learning in stride

A Statehouse proposal to expand access to Bible literacy classes in Iowa public schools failed to gain traction this session.

But the Des Moines Register found that the Bible is already being taught in Iowa's public schools.

More than 100 different elective courses focus on religion, including introduction to religion, comparative religion and scripture, according to the Iowa Department of Education.

That includes a course in one of eastern Iowa's most liberal enclaves: Iowa City.

Three high schools in Iowa City offer a "Bible as Literature" class.

The course has been offered for multiple decades, teachers said. It began as a way to teach students about biblical stories, such as David and Goliath, that are common references in literature and pop culture.

Some teens don't understand the references coming into the class, teachers said. Others do, but they want to go deeper into how the Bible has influenced literature and artistic expression such as music.

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The 12-week English class is offered to juniors and seniors as an elective. In a sense, it is a crash course in what's often referred to as biblical allegory.

"We talk about it not as a historical text, and not as a religious text, but as a piece of literature," said Kerri Barnhouse, a West High teacher who has led the course for about 10 years.

She and others who teach the class in Iowa City question the motives behind the current legislation, which has been backed by the conservative Christian group the Family Leader.

There's nothing that prevents the class now, so they wonder why is the legislation being introduced.

Proponents of the bill say classes on the Bible provide important historical or cultural context for students. But opponents say the legislation is a backdoor to teaching Christianity.

Literature full of 'biblical allusions'

Similar to how mythology or even Shakespearean texts are taught to give students a basis of understanding, biblical stories can offer a frame of reference to other pieces of literature.

That's been an attractive academic focus for a range of students. Classes have included non-religious students as well as those from a broad range of faiths, including Christians, Hindus, Jews, Mormons and Muslims.

At times,students have brought their own religious texts — Islamic students have read from the Koran, for example, and Christian students have share Bible translations they use.

When a student wants to turn the class discussion into a religious debate, teachers said they're quick to refocus the conversation.

The goal is not to teach students what to believe, but rather help them understand the literary stories and techniques used in the Bible that they might encounter elsewhere, the teachers said.

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That's what's made some of the political discussion so frustrating, said Ali Borger-Germann, who teaches the course at City High.

She takes issue with some of the debate around the bill, including professors of biblical studies who say that "teachers may be encouraged or unrestrained in offering theological and subjective opinions."

"I'm a professional," Borger-Germann said. "It's my job. I'm not religious about 'Of Mice and Men.' I don't know why I would be religious about (teaching) the Bible."

Both teachers told the Register they take so much caution in how they approach the class — they don't want to push or poke holes in anyone's beliefs — that they doubt teens would be able to tell what the teachers personally believe.

That's similar to how a teacher of U.S. government might keep his or her political beliefs from coloring the class discussion.

'It didn't influence' my beliefs

City High student Lottie Gidal said she couldn't wait to take "Bible as Lit" this year; she was fascinated by the subject and heard the course was an engaging and interesting class.

The 17-year-old's parents are Christian and Jewish, and she celebrates both religions' major holidays. She describes herself as agnostic, which didn't change during her study of the Bible.

"It didn't influence my spiritual or religious beliefs. It just opened my eyes to other people's religious beliefs and helped me understand that better," she said.

Since taking the class, Gidal is aware of how often biblical stories are referenced in pop culture, including a recent movie scene she was able to connect to the Last Supper.

"I kept turning to my friend and saying: 'Bible reference, Bible reference, Bible reference,'" she said. "It can make it way more enjoyable to watch. You're getting all the things the director wanted you to get, I think."

In the class, she learned about Abraham, Jacob and Moses in the Old Testament. She read passages from the books of Psalms and Proverbs, plus the New Testament, including the life and teachings of Jesus.

"We're reading (the Bible) as a book with lots of characters," said West High senior Ben Cupp. "And we compare the characters like any other book."

A Christian who attends church occasionally, Cupp was familiar with most biblical stories the class teaches — but he wanted to learn about them in more depth.

He's also enjoyed catching biblical references in music, movies and television.

"It's helped me notice some of the allusions in other literature, but it hasn't changed what I believe in at all," he said.

The course avoids aspects of the Bible that are particularly contentious in political or cultural debates, such as Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old Testament, which some use to denounce homosexuality.

"I don't go there," said Barnhouse. "That's not my place as an English teacher."

Both teachers told the Register their goals are to discuss the Bible in its literary context, not to debate its use politically or culturally, or on its religious or spiritual merits.

"I don't want to alienate students in the room," she said. "I want them to feel respected."