Originally Posted by mmarsh

Folks I think you should read this paragraph (from the link Henderson posted), like I suspected its not as it seems

"As part of their social studies curriculum, Grade 7 pupils throughout California do study ancient Muslim cultures and the impact of Islam on world history, but only as one of eleven units that comprise that year's social studies course, not as a special indoctrination into a particular religion as the ASN article presents it".

I am to assume (I know) that they studied Christianity's impact on world history as well?

I have no problems with kids learning about Islam, Judaism, Christianity, et al. Religion has always had an impact on cultures, so I believe it has a place in the history books. I don't think adopting Muslim roles is the proper form of instruction, however.

She encouraged them to use Muslim names, recited prayers in class and made them give up something for a day, such as television or candy, to simulate fasting during Ramadan. The final exam asked students for a critique of elements of Muslim culture.

U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled in favor of the school district in 2003, saying that the class had an instructional purpose and that students had engaged in no actual religious exercises.

What does she call prayers and "simulated" fasting, then?

I applaud her creativity, but I think it was very misplaced.

I am left to wonder if they role played as Christians, Jews, Buddhists, etc as well.

Originally Posted by PJ24

I am to assume (I know) that they studied Christianity's impact on world history as well?

I have no problems with kids learning about Islam, Judaism, Christianity, et al. Religion has always had an impact on cultures, so I believe it has a place in the history books. I don't think adopting Muslim roles is the proper form of instruction, however.






What does she call prayers and "simulated" fasting, then?

I applaud her creativity, but I think it was very misplaced.

I am left to wonder if they role played as Christians, Jews, Buddhists, etc as well.

i highly doubt that. it makes me wonder why christianity and judaism have such hostility to it. when i was in highschool, we had our Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) for 15 minutes after snack and before 3rd period. i brought my bible to school to read and was told that religious material wasnt allowed and that all books had to be novels. it brings up the following questions:

1. why can I read the Da Vinci Code but cant read the Bible?
2. Why can i be given a grade in class for reciting prayers to Allah, but am told im closed-minded and unaccepting of others when i want to pray to Jesus in school?
3. Has anyone else noticed that the more we turn away from morality, the shittier our world becomes?

Originally Posted by behemoth79

1. why can I read the Da Vinci Code but cant read the Bible?
2. Why can i be given a grade in class for reciting prayers to Allah, but am told im closed-minded and unaccepting of others when i want to pray to Jesus in school?
3. Has anyone else noticed that the more we turn away from morality, the shittier our world becomes?

1. Because Christians are persecuted.
2. Because the ones saying that are closed-minded.
3. Not really. It was just neater when we were moral.

1. Because political opinions shape policy, and even though "One nation, under god" was the official motto of the US adopted by Congress, a bunch of lefties got together and didn't want it taught in school.
2. Because we're catering to minorities and at the same time insultingly disregarding the major religious base in America?
3. Sure have. I've been going to rodeos for thirteen years, and I can say that I've never seen so much sh*t in one place than California politics.

Originally Posted by mmarsh

And for those who dont know ASN, its the public relations department of ASSIST MINISTRIES, a Calfornia based Evangelical group. In other words,this story is coming from a Evanglist Christian Group, not a accredited news service such as the AP.

In other words, this story is highly suspect. Thanks to C/LT.Henderson for the link.

Dude what are you saying?

The source I provide was from the San Fransico Chronicle which is considered a prodominantly liberal newspaper, which btw is local to the area where this is happening.

Here was some of the stuff that was printed:

During the history course at Excelsior School in the fall of 2001, the teacher, using an instructional guide, told the students they would adopt roles as Muslims for three weeks to help them learn what Muslims believe.


She encouraged them to use Muslim names, recited prayers in class and made them give up something for a day, such as television or candy, to simulate fasting during Ramadan. The final exam asked students for a critique of elements of Muslim culture.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...AGLFFQENB1.DTL



There is no way they would allow Christian activity of this type in any California classroom. Especially the reciting prayers part.

Originally Posted by behemoth79

1. why can I read the Da Vinci Code but cant read the Bible?
2. Why can i be given a grade in class for reciting prayers to Allah, but am told im closed-minded and unaccepting of others when i want to pray to Jesus in school?
3. Has anyone else noticed that the more we turn away from morality, the shittier our world becomes?

I haven't got the right answers, so I'll just give you my tuppence worth:

1) Because the Bible is used and has been abused over the ages as a religious guideline, The Da Vinci code is just a novel and far less damaging is this respect.
2) Because reciting prayers to Allah was probably part of the course, maybe misplaced, but a part anyway. Wanting to pray to Jesus, again, is a religious expression and there for not allowed in public schools.
3) I noticed it too. I personally think that morality is linked to religion. However it is a fact, that the more secualar we come the loewr the morality. So I guess there is a general link between the two.

Originally Posted by Ted

2) Because reciting prayers to Allah was probably part of the course, maybe misplaced, but a part anyway. Wanting to pray to Jesus, again, is a religious expression and there for not allowed in public schools.

Praying to "Allah" is a religious expression as well, regardless of it being masked by a "course."

Gladius

What I'm saying is that it sounds like this course is more about the history of religons rather than the religous instruction that the ASN was claiming. Its also quite disengenuous that the ASN failed to mention that Islamic teachings was only 1 of 11 parts into the study of religon. And lastly that this claim was made by an evanglist group (whom are not the most impartial not tolerant group of people I have ever met) not a news service casts a shadow over the credibility of this report.

Originally Posted by PJ24

Praying to "Allah" is a religious expression as well, regardless of it being masked by a "course."

I don't really agree with you on this. I recited the "zakat", I believe it was called, on more then one occasion. This has almost always been done for explaining about the Islam to pupils. In my opinion there is absolutely nothing religious to that. The words are the same, but when a devout muslim speaks them or I do..... well, to me it makes quite a difference.

How does reciting the prayer explain the religion. To my way of thinking it is not explaining the religion, it is teaching the religion... but then I need to hear your lesson plan in its entirity to have the correct context. But on the face of it I am a bit disturbed. When I teach about WWII history and Hitler I don't salute with raised fist and shout "Seig Heil!".