CHURCH GROUPS FIGHT BACK BY FILING THEIR OWN SUITS
Jonathan Morgan handed out candy canes with the story of Jesus to his fourth-grade classmates in Plano, Texas, last Friday. But it took a court order.
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Fighting For Religion In Schools (Hover)
I think it is about time that Christians fought back. It is quite normal, I think, that we tend to always go to far to one side or the other when an issue arises. Then it takes the other side to push back so that the pendulum can swing back to the middle where it belongs.
International Level: Diplomat / Political Participation: 320 32%
As long as these same church groups don't mind hearing the history of Islam or even Buddhist ideas, then I don't see a problem with this. Unfortunately, I have a feeling they'd throw a fit (as some have at the teaching of evolution--maybe a different issue entirely). I'll never understand the proliferation of intolerance as a result of anyone's religious beliefs, no matter what they are. Ah, well....
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As long as these same church groups don't mind hearing the history of Islam or even Buddhist ideas, then I don't see a problem with this. |
International Level: Diplomat / Political Participation: 320 32%
QUOTE (tenaheff @ 27-Dec 04, 5:21 PM) |
Actually, they are objecting to exactly that. What I am saying is since it isn't allowed to teach anything Christian then they shouldn't have to read about other religions. If you aren't going to make everyone read the Bible, then you shouldn't be allowed to make everyone read the Quran. |
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Well, I suppose that that's where the problem arises: They want their doctrime taught in an academic atmosphere, but want to eliminate all other interpretation and ideas. |
International Level: Diplomat / Political Participation: 320 32%
Tenaheff, I agree with you completely. I think the fact that simply having the word "required" from the reading list shows what the lawsuit was about. These people objected to the fact that they were required to read a book explaining the Quran, while muslim, hindu, and other religions (including atheists and agnostics) aren't even encouraged to learn about the Bible or any other religious work.
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The way I see it, is that the majority of students attending public schools are members of the Christian faith and therefore should be familiar with it. So why should they teach about Christianity just because a small minority is not as familiar with it as the rest?
The reason I would still encourage schools to teach students about other religions like Islam, is that humans have a tendency to fear something they don't understand. By teaching about other faiths, the school system ensures that students posse enough information to comprehend other religions and respect the practices of their members and thereby lay the groundwork for a peaceful coexistence. Because if the schools won't teach the children about those religions, who will? I doubt the churches would.
Members of other faiths, on the other hand, probably are aware of Christian practices, and in any case couldn't afford to discriminate against the majority.
My 2 cents
International Level: New Activist / Political Participation: 21 2.1%