All schools shut down in Augusta County, Virginia, over Islam homework

Have you followed or heard the debate between the Evolutionists and Creationists? Evolution is taught in every public school. The Creationists want creation taught also. Gives the kids a choice in what to believe. But liberals have refused to offer that choice. Because they believe that doing so would be an endorsement of God. Which they don't believe in. You have said that kids are smart, and that schools teaching something does not carry the same weight of a preacher or Imam. So, why not teach Creation along with Evolution?

As I have said several times already, a lesson plan that teaches only one religion is an endorsement of that religion.

The assignment mentioned Islam, the Quran, Mosques and the Shahada. It even defined the Shahada as a statement of faith, and tells the students to copy it. So, those smart students Google "Shahada", and see what they are copying:

And you claim that was not an endorsement of the faith. I can't imagine what you would call an endorsement.

 

Yes it is. I guess I just won the argument since there was no strawman
involved.

 

The only reason you believe this was an attempt at conversion to Islam is because you want to believe it. That, dear, is the truth.

 

You're view is that context trumps everything.... I'm saying it doesn't. Such a tactic is simply defending Islam in a politically correct way - old news and a tired method.

 

Such a tactic is defending reality and the English language along with thought.

 

That's not a defense of reality, it's a defense of hypocrisy. There's a difference.

 

I am not. Sure I understand your argument. Are you starting participating in a religious activity, thereby endorsing it, is the same as learning about a religion?

 

Religions of any kind do not belong in schools - regardless of context. In this context no it does not as it copying calligraphy of an Islamic prayer. If you want religious teaching, either do it from home or send your kid to a religious school, not public school. There's no reason to make an exception in this case as you describe. If you understand my argument, logically you should agree with it because it's consistent, logical and plays no favorites - yet you do not agree. Why is that? You claim it's because of context but that is a hypocrisy. What other reasons do you have?

 

I disagree. I think that not only is learning about religion well within the confines of the Constitution, I think it is important to have knowledge of life outside the boundaries of the US.

 

So you can learn that they exist but not their culture and the religion they live by? Seems like a very static and closed minded way to approach the world

 

Take it up with the separation clause in our constitution.
Government institutions can't endorse religion. It's pretty black and white.

 

The ignorance and fear surrounding this non-cotroversy is exactly what ISIS is trying to foment. When we become so fearful of something that we forbid even learning about it, we are in trouble. Plus, if whatever religious superstition most of those parents force on those kids (christianity likely) is so strong, it should be easily able to resist the call of allah in a simple homework assignment. Things like this make me embarrassed for those idiot parents who call themselves americans.

 

I think religion is a legitimate subject to be studied, in the context of mythology or philosophy. It's probably unsuitable for public schools, though.

This school made a huge error by not researching the text before assigning it to students, that I doubt will be repeated.

 

So you cant learn about a different point of view without endorsing it? Dont think we'd be having the same conversation if these kids were learning about paganism and not a religion people see as a threat. Stop being a (*)(*)(*)(*)(*) and open your mind

 

Go pound sand little child, the (*)(*)(*)(*)ing rules are the rules.
If you wanna go learn about the Pillars of Islam, go to a (*)(*)(*)(*)ing mosque or google it.
Unlike you and your fellow hypocrites, I say the same *******n thing about any other religion.

 

Because Religion has had more of an effect as a recurring theme of mankind, coupled with war and man's cruelty to man, than just about any other topic in world history - which just happens to be the combination of the 9th grade World Geography course taught in all American public schools routinely. It is necessary to know, and understand the tenants and beliefs of the major religions of the world (Christianity [both versions]; Judaism; Islam; Hinduism; Buddhism; Animism {major religion in Africa and of the Plains Indians of America}, to understand and have a working knowledge of the world. The mistake this teacher - or group of teacher's made, was to step out of the teaching about religion, and into the preaching about religion, and particularly, a lack of empathy toward America's Judeo-Christian roots, by assigning a religious prayer of Islam, which has always had a dark, fanatical, murderous underside to it since its founding the the 7th Century, and even more dangerously in today's free Western societies with its radicalization and murder indiscriminately, of Christians and Jews. The Black community was up in arms over the Confederate flag issue, because it offends them so, and it isn't even a religion. This was a deliberate attempt to use "thought police" methods on impressionable 9th grade students, or just pure stupidity on behalf of the teacher's. Imagine the hue and cry from liberals if the students had been assigned the Christian "Lord's Prayer" to copy - and the assignment was given in the most holy of times for Christianity - Christmas. That's why it was wrong..................

 

Yeah because that's a rule every aspect of our government adheres to. All I'm saying is that in a class that's supposed to teach kids about different cultures and peoples, it would be ridiculous not to teach them about the religion that runs the life of a third of the people in the world.

 

So it's about numbers? Isn't the belief of one person as legitimate as 1 billion people? What of the atheist student? He should be forced to learn about religion? Or we just make an exception for Islam 'cause it's "Kiss A Muslim's Ass" season?

 

Students should learn about any major culture in the world so they can have a well-rounded world view. A third of the world is Muslim, another third is Christian and a large proportion are Hindu Buddhist Jewish etc. These religions are a major doctrine in all of the cultures that practice them, and it would be impossible to learn about these cultures without learning about their religion too.

 

It would not be impossible learn different cultures without the religion part. That's just for the sake of your argument. It's not true.

 

That would be a very restricted view of that culture and therefore not a thorough teaching of that culture. If you're going to learn about a people who's lives are influenced by their religion as much as a pretty significant portion of the world are, you have to learn about the religion too. To not do so would be a flawed view of the culture.

 

Your opinion. Saying so doesn't make it so. In either case religion is not allowed in public schools. Take it up with the progressives.

 

Then if it's within the confines of the Constitution - all religions should be taught, not just one.

 

So if their lesson was demonic calligraphy saying "Satan is the way", or "Human meat is delicious", would you be ok with that too?

 

Separation of Church and State my friend. It works for ALL religions, not just Christians.