Teachers are being encouraged to use the Bible to develop pupils' creative writing skills, with the Old and New Testament being adapted to help children learn about characterisation and structuring a narrative.
Graeme Paton. Daily Telegraph. 6 June 2014
Yes it is largely what I had in mind but to clarify the character analysis part I feel does need to be cross referenced so that it is a natural learning skill to be able to think broadly across a variety of religious views whilst not as a teacher being seen or heard necessarily to favour any particular one. Separating fact and fiction is difficult for some especially in religious context. That includes Christianity. On here even at our ripe old ages :O) we discuss whether something is poetic or not , we discuss was an event an actuality in part or as a whole, we discuss the characters of the bible. Humanity is full of characters, we decide who to follow as an example in many ways partly through religious teaching partly through societies teaching and partly through home and leisure teaching. We need it all to be a whole integrated society. I have to say I am a bit afraid of the possible consequences on childrens; lives in a decades time, whilst I understand the need for children to learn discipline, discipline is a different thing to academic achievement: I dread to think what would have happened to me under Micheal Goves agenda scary really scary.
If this is indeed true and not a spoof, I can see the value of it but on the other hand it will be viewed as indoctrination, I see the value of it because its what I did, and if you read a lot of Christian literature its what they all do.
It is actually quite hard you know dave to follow whos who in the gospel and who said what to whom and what was their state of mind when they said it . What type of character were they? is an important question. How do we decide whether a person has a good or bad motive? are they a good liar, many people in very demanding social jobs are good liars, they have to be, it leads to the question is it always bad to lie if only lying by omission. It could be helpful but if that happens do we then teach cross referencing with other religions and characters ? do we look for those who have similar characters. This kind of thing fascinates me which is why I am so boring lol
My point was that the Bible has been used successfully in education for a long time. We should rejoice when the Bible is used to teach it’s message. This will involve comprehension and empathy and provides an exercise for it’s own sake. Having paid attention to the story it is natural to express this in art and creative writing. I would be interested if some special claim was being made for the Bible but I suspect teachers do the same sort of thing starting with Ronald Dahl or Narnia. A bit older and they do of Mice and men etc.
On lies, a nurse or paramedic may give therapeutic reassurance which is not strictly justified but I think we hope that the doctor will, at least when pressed, tell us the truth. The use of “spin” in politics is effective even when it is being identified and analysed in the press. Is this what you have in mind?
Dave
Is the wheel being reinvented?