Islamic Presenation causes Contreversy in Houston Area Junior High

Let's start with the last part of your post first - yes, she was fired, yes there was uproar - doesn't mean it was right. This is Friendswood, the fact that they had a principal fired because she had information passed on to students by a third party doesn't mean they were justified - in my opinion it means they're stupid (I'm not ready to call them bigots yet)

Religion is taught in schools actually. Most world history classes spend a cursory amount of time teaching tenants of all major religions (hell, I remember being taught about Taoism). Your objection seems to be that an outside group was brought in.

First off, this wasn't just something that the principal decided to do one day - it was done in response to offensive graffitti being put on the school. If there were swastika's put up on the walls or other anti-semitic graffitti tagged in the school, I wouldn't object to an outside group coming in and teaching about judasim (I'd also venture to guess while the people in Friendswood would still be upset - they wouldn't be as upset as they are now)

Secondly, you keep saying this group has an agenda - what agenda do you believe they have? Do you think this group came in trying to convert these middle school kids to Islam? I mean, they had pretty snazzy facts, but somehow I doubt pointing out that Indonesia is the worlds larget muslim country cause some middle schooler to question his faith. So what agenda do you believe they are pushing?

I'm not going to let my comments devolve into ad-hominem remarks, but it appears everyone (including you) could benefit from some knowledge about Islam - these people aren't pushing religion, they're educating about it. Knowledge leads to tolerance, ignorance...well...that leads to bliss in some cases and irrational hatred in others. I sincerely doubt that you want to keep your kids ignorant (at least I hope that's true)

 

Sorry Spiffi,

I think it was wrong and appropriate action taken.

As for my views about religion, apparently they are highly offensive to most anyone that believes in religion.

So, for some reason it is ok for people to inform people about their religious beliefs but not ok to be informed about people believing that they are all based upon myths and legends



DD

 

Hey, I'm far from religious myself, but that doesn't mean I think its a good idea to keep people in the dark. In today's society where Islam is the enemy and the cause of all evil, I just think it is a good idea to get rid of misconceptions. I'm still waiting for someone to tell me that harm in educating kids... It's not like these kids were taken on a field trip to a Mosque, girls were given souvenir hijabs, and their classes were turned to face Mecca. I don't have to be religious to be knowledgable and tolerant.

 

Absolutely not, in fact I find most religions to be anti tolerant....in nature.

DD

 

Who told you I'm Muslim?

Wrong DD, Wiki isn't the best place to get your info about Islam.

 

but really if they were pulled out of gym for JUDAISM there would be no parental uproar from the parents. i agree they should not be teaching religion but how biased are people. sheesh.

 

Basically the same up in in Arkansas but I thought that posters was saying he wouldn't mind lecturers coming in and teaching children their viewpoints on there religion. I know we learn about different religions and such during history classes but it is not presented in a way similar to the seminar given to these children in my opinion.

 

I believe this is true too. If they brought in Christian leader to explain Christian themes and ideas you might hear a couple of parents complain but not anything near this.

 

What about the references that back up those claims?

 

what if all they said was, "we believe.....blah blah blah." ???

 

You understand that what you just posted contradicts the notion they worship stones, right? They used stones as a marker for places of worship. Not that they worshipped stones. It set apart a particular place as being special.

 

I'm sorry, I would still be against it.

 

Max, I think when I made the comment about them worshiping stones, I was being mildly sarcastic to raise a point.

I know they don't literally WORSHIP the stones.

I get in trouble when I discuss religion.....

Suffice it to say that I would rather not be banned from the D&D again for winding up people about their beliefs....

I choose to be pragmatic others choose to believe in their religion.

As long as no one pushes it on me or my kids I am ok with whatever you want to believe.

As a point of reference we were discussing this at the dinner table tonight and I told my kids and wife about it, and my 9 year old asks what is a Muslim?

I told him that they were people that had a certain view about God and that they did not eat pork, and had other differences from Christianity.

We then got to talking about how good Bacon was and that they were really missing out....I totally agreed, and said that the Jewish faith also misses out on Bacon....then my wife talked about Cows in the Hindu faith....it was a good discussion.

I also explained how the bacon belief was left over from a time before religion and was a cultural situation that made it's way into some faiths, because of the misconception that pork was an unclean meat or carried diseases, while it did in ancient times, it no longer does and is quite tasty.

But at the end of the day it happened at my house and not at school.



DD

 

You did Bosh a long time again when we were arguing about Islam etc....

There are several respected Muslim members on this board, as well as Christians, and Jews, and there used to be an angry Buddist too.

And then I wonder where I would classify myself? Someone who views it all as one big myth.....

Someone who believes in God, but not religion, what does that make me?

Ah, I know....enlightened.



DD

 

No need to apologize. You're extremely respectful...you certainly have a right to your opinion.

I'm curious though...why do you distinguish between them teaching what they believe and someone else teaching what they believe?

 

I think that's awesome. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't be able to talk to your kids about different faith traditions...or mathematics...or earth science...or great literature.

 

It's sad that, based on kneejerk reactions, someone, whose intentions seemed to be to foster a better sense of understanding in response to racially, ethnically and culturally divisive actions and events, lost their job.

I find nothing at all "preachy" about what was said in the presentation and find nothing at all wrong in the context in which it was delivered. And considering the context, equal time arguments don't apply to this situation, unless other divisive events happened that attacked other religions or cultures at the school.

The school probably should have informed parents beforehand of the assembly, sure...but should someone be fired over it. Based on the nature and content of the presentation, no. Instead of blowing up over this issue and calling for the principal's head, parents could have easily had a sit down with their kids after the fact to discuss the assembly.


Shame on the school for trying to mold internationally minded students!

 

We don't know the history of this principal, or what was said or done, just an article in the newspaper.

I think the principal should have been reprimanded, but fired, perhaps...for me it depends on their track record and performance to date.

DD

 

Yet, you have posted more than once in this thread that the presenters/presentation had a hidden agenda.

 

Not so hidden at all, they represent the Islamic religious faith.

And all religions have an agenda of recruitment, it is how they survive, they all need money and people.

Bobrek, as a parent I want to be informed about any impromptu assembly regarding religion or something outside the norm will be presented and by whom, I don't think that is a lot to ask for....do you?

I would have liked the opportunity as a parent to be present at the assembly to answer questions my child might have regarding the presentation.

And I would like to know what they are going to be saying PRIOR to the meeting, I don't think that is too much to ask for, again...do you?

DD