I thought this was a good article by Will Saletan. Another point to make is that studying a religion and practicing a religion are not the same. The issue discussed in this article is entirely different from the prayer in public schools issue, which is based on the endorsement of beliefs by the school.
Ooh, this should stir up some debate; as I recall, Will Saletan is the same as the Will here. Personally, I feel it's important for any well-versed citizen/student to know about the religions of the world, but you shouldn't be forced to have to read a book one one specific religion as part of college admissions. I could understand having to read the book if you signed up for a class on religion, world affairs, or maybe even literature - but not as a general requirement. UNC may not be necessarily promoting the Islamic religion - just trying to promote an understanding of the predominant religion of the people who are shaping current events in America after September 11th - but being forced to read a book solely on the religion is not the way to accomplish that.
Government, History, English, Literature, Math, etc. are all typical classes which are required in most universities. Why can't the university set its own curriculum? Just because I don't believe the United States should be communist, doesn't mean I should refuse to read that chapter of my Government book. I do have to admit that it is strange that it is not coursework, but don't many schools require "camps" where they teach Freshmen about the school, and put them through multi-cultural seminars?
That's a different case, though. It's not a class that you signed up for, or one of many different options being taught in such class - it's one religion out of many being required of incoming students, whether they have an interest in learning about the religion or not. The university can set it's own curriculum, sure; there are many classes that students can take at any university covering the subject. It's the fact that it is a requirement outside of class is what irks me. Most schools require orientation sessions, but those are designed to get a new student accustomed to the campus and university, not to send them through multi-cultural seminars. They may be existant at private universities, where they are not funded by the state/federal government, but I have yet to see a public university require incoming freshmen to go through camps with multi-cultural seminars.
He <b>might</b> have gotten the idea for that article from this bbs thread: <A HREF="http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39131"> Lawsuit for Learning about Islam?</A>
I agree somewhat. If they are really serious about it, they should have some type of cultural requirement in their curriculum rather just addressing an urgent issue with some kind of stopgap measure. If it isn't worth a class, then maybe it isn't important enough. The flip side, is that I have seen other schools (not public) that use an extra short term to require single classes, like travel study, research study, etc. This would be pretty similar to an abbreviated class/entrance requirement. One way or another, I don't think it is unlawful. As long as they are studying and not practicing the religion, then I don't think they can really be promoting or discriminating against a religion. Classes can't be all inclusive either.... that's impossible.
So is Will supports UNC's decicison about Approaching the Qur'án: The Early Revelations? (Or at least I hope that's what he means) I hope everyone can soak up the verbal irony from this passage
Azadre, I took the opposite from the article, that the author felt that the decision by the State legislature was rediculous.
