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Utah district bans Bible in elementary and middle schools 'due to vulgarity or violence'


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This reminds me of Stephen Lett's words in the May 2020 JW Broadcast....

 

Stephen Lett - JW Broadcasting May 2020 (from 9:15)

 

We might mention that we’ve had just a few parents write in expressing concern that some of our videos depict scenes that could have an effect on children who’ve been protected from anything even hinting at an act of violence. We very much appreciate the concern. However, when portraying a Bible account, we cannot ignore the message Jehovah saw fit to preserve in his Word.

 

We don’t feel comfortable watering down the inspired insight that Jehovah has preserved for the benefit of true worshippers. However, as you’ve observed, we do so as tastefully as possible. We don’t show actual violent acts or bloodshed.

 

A Scriptural precedent might be found in 2 Chronicles 20:13. Jehoshaphat was describing a great crowd of enemy nations that were about to launch an attack against God’s people. He described the possible disaster quite graphically, referring to the possibility of death by the sword, by pestilence, or by famine. Who was he sharing this disturbing information with? Second Chronicles 20:13 tells us: “Meanwhile, all those of Judah were standing before Jehovah, along with their little ones, their wives, and their children.”

 

Jehovah wanted all, including the young ones, to understand what was coming. Parents likewise need to give their children a realistic idea of what we all will face in the near future. Many parents choose to help their children appreciate the graphic visual imagery of a Bible-based video, while at the same time building trust in Jehovah, who will be with them in times of distress. This is similar to what they’d do when reading a graphic Biblical account to their children from the Scriptures, such as from the book of Revelation.

 

Be assured that we’ll continue to be sensitive to the feelings of you parents when we produce a video that’s based on a Bible account that includes descriptions of warfare or other incidents of violent actions. We’ll do so with care, while not ignoring the powerful details depicted in the inspired Word of God.

 

https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/StudioMonthlyPrograms/pub-jwb_202005_1_VIDEO

 

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Wow, this is new for me. I thought that Utah were a religious state.

(Be careful! The above comment came from a suspicious source, a 20 year old. There's a risk that he is being: Idiot, reckless or stupid)

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4 hours ago, Sete said:

Wow, this is new for me. I thought that Utah were a religious state.

From what I read so far it's only 1 school district, it happened from 1 complaint for elementary and middle school. Most likely a response to political issues.

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7 minutes ago, Witness1970 said:

 

Yes, this was also highlighted on the front page of yesterday's Salt Lake Tribune newspaper - see above

 

The article, under the heading "How graphic is the physical, sexual violence in the Book of Mormon?", said in part:

 

If the Bible needed to be banned from a number of Davis County elementary and middle schools for its passages on violence and sex, why not the scripture sacred to members of Utah’s predominant faith?

 

After all, the Book of Mormon, the signature text of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also has troubling scenes that could be considered “pornographic” or “indecent” under the Utah Legislature’s definition.

 

And now someone has done just that, requesting that the school district review this volume as well.

 

While members of the Davis committee determined that the Bible did not violate state law, they did deem the “vulgarity or violence” in the religious book inappropriate for grade schoolers and middle schoolers.

 

There are some obvious and familiar examples of sexual and physical violence (beyond wars) in the Latter-day Saint scripture, including:

 

• Nephi chops off Laban’s head (1 Nephi 4).

• Jacob condemns polygamy and concubinage (Jacob 2).

• Ammon kills some robbers and cuts off the arms of others. (Alma 17).

• Morianton beats a “maid servant” (Alma 50).

• Nephites rape and murder prisoners of war (Moroni 9).

 

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2023/06/03/just-how-graphic-is-physical/

 

 

 

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7 hours ago, Parale said:

Yes, this was also highlighted on the front page of yesterday's Salt Lake Tribune newspaper

The link I posted gave the name of the school district and also said that they now wanted to ban the Book of Mormon. Those were the reasons I posted it.

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