The Non-prophets

 Lamenting the Decline in Literacy? The Church Can HelpThe Banner, By Karen Swallow Prior, on December 20, 2024https://www.thebanner.org/columns/2024/12/lamenting-the-decline-in-literacy-the-church-can-helpThe discussion critically examines the church's role in promoting literacy, questioning whether it serves as genuine philanthropy or a veiled form of manipulation. Tracy highlights that churches often offer basic needs like shelter or food but with conditions tied to religious participation, which can marginalize vulnerable groups such as LGBTQ+ youth. Similarly, offering literacy programs may mask an agenda to foster biblical literacy rather than comprehensive reading skills. Helen acknowledges that while literacy is important, churches stepping in where the education system fails can lead to biased learning. She argues that without critical analysis skills, participants may only learn to interpret the Bible through the church's lens, limiting independent thought. Stephen counters that any reading, even sc