Classroom Has No Place for Good Book Schools Wary of Using Bible to Teach Literature

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Byline: Heather Ryndak Daily Herald Staff Writer

Marsha Zierk understands that many more interests compete for students' time than when she was a student about 25 years ago.

The Central High School teacher also realizes that religion no longer makes up the blueprint in many students' homes, as was more common during her school days.

But Zierk was still surprised this year when she tried to bridge a comparison of Edith Hamilton's translation of the Greek mythological "Deluge" to the story of Noah's Ark during her high school English class.

What she got was a room full of blank stares.

"I just couldn't get over it," Zierk said. "It doesn't matter if you are Christian or not. It has nothing to do with religion. …