Why do some parents get all paranoid about what their kids learn in school?

[Catherine Vincent]

June 8, 2008, 10:50PM
Controversy highlights pitfalls to teaching faith


By JENNIFER RADCLIFFE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle


Faced with the threat of having a hate crime reported to the FBI, the principal of Friendswood Junior High School hurriedly agreed to let the Council on American Islamic Relations make a half-hour presentation to about 875 students last month.

At the assembly, seventh- and eighth-graders learned, among other lessons, that Muslims are expected to avoid pork, dress modestly and believe "Allah is God for all human beings."

But as word of the May 22 assembly spread, outraged parents have flooded the district with calls and e-mails, saying they deserved to be notified before students were pulled out of physical education class for the presentation. The controversy, stoked by local talk radio, cost Robin Lowe her principalship.

One of the most sensitive areas in public education, the blurry line between what's allowed and what's not when it comes to religion in schools, can be tricky territory for administrators. Terrified of a misstep, some school districts end up banning Christmas decorations or discouraging students from even mentioning God on campus.

more....
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5826378.html

[rpannier]

1. For me...

If the focus is educating someone about the history and the beliefs of a religion/group then I'm okay with it.

If it's a thinly veiled attempt to win converts then it's not.

[yellowdogintexas]

2. well. you know it was all just part of the persecution of Christians

that is happening everywhere. Those parents had to protect their little ones from that persecution.


:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[OhioBlue]

3. They overreacted.

I believe strongly in the separation between church and State, but I don't have any problem with an informative session describing a faith in a public school - as long as it isn't preaching or attempting to convert. I had a World Religions class in College that was very informative, unbiased and eye opening. I think it was truly one of the most important classes that I have ever taken. It helps to lesson the ignorance and intolerance. I would have no problem with *that* type of class being offered in HS.

[Kerrytravelers]

4. This is so upsetting. Why are people so biggoted? I just can't wrap my brain around it.

[Carnea]

5. You know you ban the good music from the "winter" concert

And this is the kind of backlash you can get.

I'm no fan of CAIR (Their arm twisting in Hollywood has produced some notable boners in particular the Sum of all our Fears fiasco.)but this assembly seems kind of benign.

The problem is the perception among parents that the school bending over backwards to hate groups. A perception fueled by a the schools seeming panicked emergency assembly and B. Inviting a somewhat lightning rod advocacy group for Muslims. Right wing talk radio is never shy about eating a meal presented on a silver platter.

Perception is reality and all the school had to do was announce their would be an assembly on Muslim culture next Tuesday after lunch in a take home flyer the kids would forget to show their parents anyway.

You would think the principal of a school in Texas would have better antenna and CYA skills.

Oh by the way I don't think there is a war on Christmas but I do think that Handel's Hallelujah Chorus is one of the best Christmas songs ever written and was made for the big chorus assemblies that schools have. And I think that people who try to ban it on religious grounds are petty little no-fun idiots.

As my proof here it is as sung by Koreans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md-ws6knYkE

[IntravenousDemilo]

7. "Messiah" is really more of an Easter thing than a Christmas thing, when you consider the content.

I have no idea why people associate it more with Christmas.

[Carnea]

8. Because we all sang it in our Christmas Concert.

Which kind of make sense. But I see your literal point.

[IndyJones]

6. Was it mandatory?

I agree with this, from the article:

"Rather than focusing on a specific religion, Friendswood could have coached students on the importance of free speech and religious tolerance, he said."

[Mind_your_head]

9. Teaching a "Comparative Religions" class in a public school

is a recipe for DISASTER!

It's a complicated subject....and it takes a TRULY WIDELY EDUCATED PERSON to teach it well. Meaning, that teacher doesn't DRAW conclusions for you, but allows the individual to THINK FOR THEMSELVES. Something that is not taught much (at all?) in school these days...thinking for yourself. (NCLF = No child thinking for themselves).

Comparative religious debate should be left to the realm of people who concern themselves with history, philosophy, theology, psychology and such. Every wo/man can concern themselves with such thought (and should)! But the 'recipe for disaster' is that such depth of thought would be 'assigned to the careless and unthinking'.

(Anecdotelly, I sure wouldn't want my neighbors daughter, who just got her teacher's cert. (with a DUI and a bunch of 'bad boyfriends' behind her) teaching my kid about 'comparative religions' "Oye" :eyes:)

Peace,
M_Y_H