The history of the Bluefield bible program 1939-1989

• Main Author: Bellefeuille, Barbara Kae
• Other Authors: Curriculum and Instruction
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 2015
• Subjects: Bluefield Bible Program; Bible > Study and teaching; LD5655.V856 1989.B448; Religion in the public schools > Law and legislation > West Virginia > Bluefield; Bible as literature > Study and teaching; Religion > Study and teaching
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/54491

The United States has had an interesting and full history of debate over the place of religion in the public schools and each state has had its own unique history on the same subject. Religion/Bible saturated the typical public school in western Virginia before 1863. After West Virginia became a state, the saturation of religion/Bible gradually lessened, producing concern among some citizens. In 1917, the State adopted a direct plan for outside Bible study to incorporate elective Bible study class. Since 1935, however, there is no record of any statewide promotion of religion/Bible in the schools. In 1939 Bluefield, Mercer County, West Virginia, submitted a request to and received approval from the State Board of Education to offer Bible classes in its schools. Adjustments have been made to the program due to judicial or committee decisions. Some of these adjustments have been prompted by national and local controversy over religion/Bible in the public schools. Nevertheless, the existing Bible program has been sustained as a result of its location, community support, and dynamic leaders. The purpose of this study is two-fold: 1) to identify and describe the impact various influences such as the co-founders, the community, and the first teachers, had on the Bluefield Bible Program which contributed to its continued existence to this day; and 2) to create an accurate record of the history and proceedings of the Bluefield Bible Program. === Ed. D.