Izmir provincial education authority pledges to expel ‘communist, atheist teachers’

[rug]

'There are atheist and communist teachers in schools. If you put your children in their hands they will try to explain Darwin’s theory,' İzmir Provincial Director of Education Vefa Bardakçı was quoted as saying.

October/16/2014
ANKARA

Threatening statements issued by a provincial education official against “communist and atheist teachers” have prompted an opposition lawmaker to ask Turkey’s education minister whether the official’s suspension is being considered.

“Communists are giving courses and brainwashing children. I will never let my students be brainwashed … My friends, you should say ‘get out’ to these communists and get rid of them,” İzmir Provincial Director of Education Vefa Bardakçı was quoted saying in a motion filed by main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) İzmir deputy Mustafa Moroğlu.

“There are atheist and communist teachers in schools. If you put your children in their hands they will try to explain Darwin’s theory,” Bardakçı also allegedly stated.

He is said to have delivered the statements at a Sept. 20 meeting with secondary and high school principals from religious vocational İmam-Hatip schools in the western province of İzmir.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/izmir-provincial-education-authority-pledges-to-expel-communist-atheist-teachers.aspx?pageID=238&nID=73069&NewsCatID=341

I suppose a mindset rooted in the 1950s is better than a mindset rooted in the ninth century.

[cbayer]

1. Oh, no!!! Not Darwin's theory.

Hide the women and children!

That this is happening in Turkey is really horrible. This is exactly the kind of extremism that will keep them out of the EU and further marginalize them.

[rug]

2. Reading this, I realized I heard the same sentiments in Manhattan decades ago.

[cbayer]

3. How many decades? I never heard it when I was there, but

I may have been far out of the loop.

[rug]

5. Late 50s, early 60s.

Shortly after "under God" was added to the Pledge. One reason it was added is that public school teachers, particularly in NYC, who were members of the CPUSA, were among the most effective and articulate organizers in the labor movement. Since the Pledge was recited in the classrooms every morning, the thinking was that those most loud in opposition to it could be added to "The List". This bogus linkage between atheism and Communism has been going on for decades. It's a misleading disservice to both.

[cbayer]

6. Ah, well before my time. That's half a century ago!

Did not know this piece of history, but am not surprised.

[edhopper]

4. On a positive note

people in Turkey are asking for this nut to be expelled himself.

He sounds awfully like many school board members in this country.

[Cartoonist]

7. I will never let my students be brainwashed

They're being brainwashed from birth, asshat! Their religion is chosen for them. They don't get a choice.