Marine Dad Banned From School After Complaining About Islam Assignment

[TexaninVA]

Look at this video and see what you think ...

Marine Dad Banned From School After Complaining About Islam Assignment | Fox News Insider (http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/10/29/marine-dad-banned-school-after-complaining-about-islam-assignment)

Some questions arise ...

- do students get similar assignments for studying Christianity or the Jewish faith?

- is the Father's reaction admirable or the opposite?

(I'm sure some will automatically discount the story due to the source but I haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere )

[MikeV]

School officials have way too much power in my opinion. Let's hope many more parents complain about this problem in our schools. This is not the first time I have seen schools pushing Islamic studies on students.

[billethkid]

Look at this video and see what you think ...

Marine Dad Banned From School After Complaining About Islam Assignment | Fox News Insider (http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/10/29/marine-dad-banned-school-after-complaining-about-islam-assignment)

Some questions arise ...

- do students get similar assignments for studying Christianity or the Jewish faith?

- is the Father's reaction admirable or the opposite?

(I'm sure some will automatically discount the story due to the source but I haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere )

If the principal said they were studying world history, I would like to tsee the calendar of subjects for the year.

Given the rise in recent years to be against anything with GOD in it on the basis of not catering to religion....then I too would challenge the assignment until I was convinced it was literally part of a world history assignment. Then I would want to understand the context. And it better include the other religions of the day including Christianity and the works of GOD.

If not, then I would support my daughter in refusal to participate. And I would also make a case to the school board just like those who do so against Christianity on public property.

I give the benefit of the doubt to the soldier and his daughter long before a school adminstrator.

[blueash]

I can't believe that anyone would think that threatening a school is ever ok. This is a world history course, world history. It is not a religion course. How can anyone understand world history especially as it relates to the middle east without mentioning the overwhelmingly major religion in that part of the world? Here is a more complete report including the threats this Iraq traumatized Marine directed at the school

La Plata High School in Charles County, Maryland has issued a No Trespass order after parent Kevin Wood — a former U.S. Marine — called the school and threatened to disrupt classes if his daughter’s world history class continued to study the religion and its impact on human history.

Wood reportedly telephoned Vice Principal Shannon Morris last Thursday enraged over a homework assignment which dealt with the formation of Middle Eastern empires centuries ago. History teacher Katie O’Malley Simpson said that the history curriculum has never been considered controversial in the past.

“The assignment has been given for years,” O’Malley-Simpson said.

La Plata High School Principal Evelyn Arnold issued a No Trespass order against Wood after hearing about the contentious call, in which Wood promised to come to the school and disrupt classes if Islam was mentioned any further.

O’Malley-Simpson called the decision to ban Wood from campus “unusual,” saying, “We don’t file no trespassing charges lightly. We would only do that when we feel someone has threatened the safety of staff and students.”

According to Maryland Gazette.net, O’Malley-Simpson said, “We have a lot of students, and safety comes first. We don’t allow disruptions at the schools, especially if we’re forewarned of them.”

Charles County School District Superintendent Kimberly Hill met with Wood and his wife to discuss their concerns on Monday. The couple reportedly asked the school to excuse their daughter from world history class for the duration of the segment studying Islam.

After the meeting, Wood told reporters that his daughter, a junior at La Plata High, should not be forced to study a faith that she “does not believe in.”

“I told her straight up ‘you could take that Muslim-loving piece of paper and shove it up your white [expletive],” Wood said on Monday. “If [students] can’t practice Christianity in school, they should not be allowed to practice Islam in school.”

Wood told Superintendent Morris that the school is violating his daughter’s “constitutional rights” and threatened to “bring down a ****-storm on them like they’ve never seen.”

Melissa Wood, however, assured reporters that her husband wasn’t really threatening the school and that officials are twisting his words and overreacting.

“Nowhere did he ever threaten,” she insisted. “And this is where it’s gotten totally blown out of proportion.”

O’Malley-Simpson said that some classes may offer an alternate assignment for students whose parents complain over subject matter, but not world history.

“It’s part of the curriculum,” she said, “and it’s part of the standards you’re supposed to learn.”

“This is a world history class,” she explained. “We are not teaching religion. Part of those world history studies involves the economics of a region and part of that is the religion which relates to the economy of that part of the world. In the Middle East, Islam is the only religion and it contributes greatly to the economics of the region.”

“Religion is a big part of world history,” she said.

Charles County Board of Education member Jennifer Abell posted a statement on Facebook explaining that some people are spreading “misinformation” about the No Trespass order.

“The particular unit in question at La Plata High School is on the formation of Middle Eastern empires in which students learned the basic concepts of the Islamic faith and how it, along with politics, culture, economics and geography, contributed to the development of the Middle East,” Abell wrote.

She went on, “There is also misinformation about why the school issued a No Trespass Order on a parent. This parent threatened to cause problems that would potentially disrupt La Plata High School this morning. To ensure the safety of students and staff at the school, the school administration placed a No Trespass Order on this parent.”

"Charles County Public Schools issued a letter to parents explaining their stance:

"Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) social studies curriculum adheres to the Maryland World History curricular standards that are a requirement for all counties in the state. These standards include an analysis of the elements of culture such as art, music, religion, government, social structure, education, beliefs and customs in societies throughout history. Regarding the study of history specifically, the standards also state that students should be able to analyze the customs and beliefs of world religions and their expansion, as well as how their establishment has impacted other areas of culture, and in certain times and regions, even caused conflict.

"The particular unit in question at La Plata High School is on the formation of Middle Eastern empires in which students learned the basic concepts of the Islamic faith and how it, along with politics, culture, economics and geography, contributed to the development of the Middle East. Other religions are introduced when they influence or impact a particular historical era or geographic region. For example, when reviewing the Renaissance and Reformation, students study the concepts and role of Christianity. When learning about the development of China and India, students examine Hinduism and Buddhism."



So, sorry to say, yes I do question your source as it is incomplete to the point of missing the entire reason for the parent being banned. He was not banned for complaining but for threatening the school. If anyone thinks that learning about Islam is not central to world history, then the same would have to said about understanding European history without understanding Cristianity, understanding Gandhi without understanding Hinduism, understanding the Holocaust without knowing about Judaism. Learning about Islam might have made our leaders understand the futility of intervention in the centuries long slaughter of Shiite on Sunni and vice versa. Keep your faith preaching and your God words out of the school, but open the doors widely to understanding the basic features or tenets of those of historical import.

[DruannB]

I'm teaching a college course next semester called "Classics of Good and Evil." We are looking at different cultures around the world through literature and examining how we all look at things differently, based on our own cultural beliefs. We will be discussing the Koran (among many other works), and reading pieces that both support and criticize it. How can we really educate students if they are not exposed to all sides of the story?

[Sophie11]

My children were not taught this….WHY now?

[redwitch]

I could see asking for a different subject regarding Islam, maybe the difference between ****e and Sunni since the Five Pillars really are more towards the religion even though of historic value. But to demand no teaching of Muslims and their faith is idiotic. How do students learn if a subject is closed to them?

However, to threaten disruption of classes and to curse a school official is absolutely inexcusable. Sorry, but I totally agree this father needs to be prevented from going near the school. He was not protecting his daughter, he was attempting to force his views on his daughter, the other students, the State of Maryland.

[Sandtrap328]

Once again, the vulpine does not report accurately or completely but what they think will go over best with the extreme (uninformed) viewers.

The former Marine sounds as though he has PTSD and should not be let near the school. Personally, I think the Chuck County police should make sure he has no guns as he sounds like one who might shoot up the school.

Didn't any posters here ever study about the religions of an area when studying history? I know I did and my daughter also did.

[Sophie11]

The children do have to learn history not a religion that is not their own.
My daughter was in college and the professor of one of here classes said he did not want to hear anything about any of their religions. They had to do a final paper on the class and the professor said if anyone could prove to him there is a GOD they would pass his class with 150% - She had wrote 3 pages but what stood out the most was - if we came from monkeys then why are there still monkeys?

[blueash]

My children were not taught this….WHY now?

So they are educated.

[blueash]

The children do have to learn history not a religion that is not their own.
My daughter was in college and the professor of one of here classes said he did not want to hear anything about any of their religions. They had to do a final paper on the class and the professor said if anyone could prove to him there is a GOD they would pass his class with 150% - She had wrote 3 pages but what stood out the most was - if we came from monkeys then why are there still monkeys?

Which shows a complete total ignorance of evolution, genetics, science and everything which a college education should be providing. Unless I completely misunderstand your posting. Perhaps you were pointing out that three pages for a final paper was likely inadequate. And that her teacher really ought to know that that it is impossible to prove the existence of any sects god. Not yours, not Thor, not Apollo, not Jupiter, not the flying spaghetti monster. Somehow I think the professor was trying to get the students not to sprinkle their personal fairy dust on the assignment and stick to the subject of the class that had been taught.

[Sandtrap328]

Which shows a complete total ignorance of evolution, genetics, science and everything which a college education should be providing. Unless I completely misunderstand your posting. Perhaps you were pointing out that three pages for a final paper was likely inadequate. And that her teacher really ought to know that that it is impossible to prove the existence of any sects god. Not yours, not Thor, not Apollo, not Jupiter, not the flying spaghetti monster. Somehow I think the professor was trying to get the students not to sprinkle their personal fairy dust on the assignment and stick to the subject of the class that had been taught.

Excellent post! :ho:

[KeepingItReal]

Which shows a complete total ignorance of evolution, genetics, science and everything which a college education should be providing. Unless I completely misunderstand your posting. Perhaps you were pointing out that three pages for a final paper was likely inadequate. And that her teacher really ought to know that that it is impossible to prove the existence of any sects god. Not yours, not Thor, not Apollo, not Jupiter, not the flying spaghetti monster. Somehow I think the professor was trying to get the students not to sprinkle their personal fairy dust on the assignment and stick to the subject of the class that had been taught.

Proof of God's love and existence is within each person's heart. We don't need science or men taught of men to explain our faith. Yes there are many unanswered questions for even us but we were not promised an explanation nor deserve one for the many mysteries that still remain though men continue to make feeble attempts to explain them.. No doubt the earth existed in some form for millions of years but God created our earth as it is now when it pleased him so that we might live and breathe. If you have received God's gift of forgiveness and have a personal experience and salvation you know he is real for you are now a witness for him. The saved cannot convince anyone to believe but many a harden heart has been broken down by God by the preaching of his gospel. God can destroy and break the brittle thread of life at anytime and each moment we live is because of his mercy. When there is no where else to turn maybe the non believers will end their quest to disprove the existence of a Savior to all those that believe. The wisdom of man is foolishness in the sight of God.

The PHDs and college educated struggle to explain why they believe in evolution, but they insist God is not, why so much faith in evolution but not in God, take a watch..

Evolution -vs- GOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0u3-2CGOMQ#t=61

[Indydealmaker]

Once again, the vulpine does not report accurately or completely but what they think will go over best with the extreme (uninformed) viewers.

The former Marine sounds as though he has PTSD and should not be let near the school. Personally, I think the Chuck County police should make sure he has no guns as he sounds like one who might shoot up the school.

Didn't any posters here ever study about the religions of an area when studying history? I know I did and my daughter also did.

I don't have PTSD and my reaction would be the same. From other textbooks I have seen, these schools are not teaching basic facts about Islam, they are promoting it. They also do not discuss the current global violence caused by extremists.

From the transcripts, the school was not truly threatened nor was the administrator.

[KeepingItReal]

I don't have PTSD and my reaction would be the same. From other textbooks I have seen, these schools are not teaching basic facts about Islam, they are promoting it. They also do not discuss the current global violence caused by extremists.

From the transcripts, the school was not truly threatened nor was the administrator.

:BigApplause: I agree....

[Sophie11]

Which shows a complete total ignorance of evolution, genetics, science and everything which a college education should be providing. Unless I completely misunderstand your posting. Perhaps you were pointing out that three pages for a final paper was likely inadequate. And that her teacher really ought to know that that it is impossible to prove the existence of any sects god. Not yours, not Thor, not Apollo, not Jupiter, not the flying spaghetti monster. Somehow I think the professor was trying to get the students not to sprinkle their personal fairy dust on the assignment and stick to the subject of the class that had been taught.

You seem to think you have all the answers but as of yet not one human can get a drop of the sun to analyze it! We have computers and they make man think they are someone more than a cricket! Man can do nothing without GOD! All we do with these computers is go round and round the earth!

[quirky3]

I'm teaching a college course next semester called "Classics of Good and Evil." We are looking at different cultures around the world through literature and examining how we all look at things differently, based on our own cultural beliefs. We will be discussing the Koran (among many other works), and reading pieces that both support and criticize it. How can we really educate students if they are not exposed to all sides of the story?

Excellent point! Globilization is a reality because of peoples' ability to communicate and travel. An understanding of world cultures, including understanding our differences, promotes healthy conversation and reduces the type of fear caused by lack of education.

[billethkid]

as a result we will sit around the campfire with islamic terrorists singing cum bye ah (between beheadings)!

[Rags123]

Excellent point! Globilization is a reality because of peoples' ability to communicate and travel. An understanding of world cultures, including understanding our differences, promotes healthy conversation and reduces the type of fear caused by lack of education.


If only your words "An understanding of world cultures, including understanding our differences, promotes healthy conversation and reduces the type of fear caused by lack of education." could be true.

They are not, as evidenced by history. These "understanding of world cultures" have been allowed to be at the mercy of those presenting what they feel is important. Thus, I did not see the material thus have no opinion on how it was being presented, and I say to anyone who espouses this teaching so we can understand.....be aware of WHO will be teaching the material to allow that understanding.

It is NOT neutral people presenting what you might think.

[redwitch]

If parents would teach their children to think and reason rather than blindly follow, it wouldn't matter if a teacher had an agenda. I was fortunate that I had parents who allowed me to question, who did not try to fit me into their shoes and beliefs. I was also fortunate enough to have seen the world while a child and learn of different cultures and religious beliefs through firsthand experience.

To me, schools today should be teaching both sides of Islam. The beauty and faith of the religion and the hatred espoused by those who bastardize the Koran. This does not mean indoctrinating a child into being a Muslim, it means giving an understanding of that religion. Our planet has become too small for people to not try to understand. I doubt it will happen in my lifetime or even in the lifetime of my daughter, but I'm hoping and praying that one day the people of this world will come to embrace each others' differences. This cannot occur without education.

[blueash]

If parents would teach their children to think and reason rather than blindly follow, it wouldn't matter if a teacher had an agenda. I was fortunate that I had parents who allowed me to question, who did not try to fit me into their shoes and beliefs. I was also fortunate enough to have seen the world while a child and learn of different cultures and religious beliefs through firsthand experience.

To me, schools today should be teaching both sides of Islam. The beauty and faith of the religion and the hatred espoused by those who bastardize the Koran. This does not mean indoctrinating a child into being a Muslim, it means giving an understanding of that religion. Our planet has become too small for people to not try to understand. I doubt it will happen in my lifetime or even in the lifetime of my daughter, but I'm hoping and praying that one day the people of this world will come to embrace each others' differences. This cannot occur without education.


Redwitch I would gently disagree with your approach. Schools should not teach any "side" of any religion. The school should teach the basic features of a faith in a manner a Western learner can understand. Monotheistic, polytheistic, non-theistic. What are the religious practices of the adherents as they impact history? Who are the main historical players. What was the environment culturally and geographically and politically in which the religion grew and what import did it have on the topics being presented. Unless you want to present both sides of Christianity.. the good and brutal, both sides of Hinduism etc. Somehow I was taught about the major faiths of the world without feeling anyone was attempting to proselytize. No school should teach the "beauty" of any religion. That is a judgment subject to the opinion of the presenter. No school should be picking particular words from THE BOOK of any faith to attempt to encapsulate everything about that religion. We all know what particular phrases the Islamophobes would pick from the Koran, the anti-Semites from the Pentateuch, the anti-Christians from the NT.

[blueash]

I did not see the material thus have no opinion on how it was being presented, and I say to anyone who espouses this teaching so we can understand.....be aware of WHO will be teaching the material to allow that understanding.

It is NOT neutral people presenting what you might think.

Your posting seems to indicate that you actually believe that the state of Maryland, the school in the community, and that teacher are subtly attempting, or even blatantly attempting, to indoctrinate these high school students into Islam? I appreciate your disclaimer that you "have no opinion on how it was being presented" but then you raise huge capitalized warnings on the danger. You categorically state it is NOT neutral people.

And you know that because why? Your evidence is what? What is the likelihood that a teacher in Maryland is a secret agent of Islam vs the likelihood that they are a member of a fundamentalist Christian sect that believes in a 6000 year old earth and that the end days are foretold in the last chapter in THE BOOK? You see, I am more worried about that Christianistic teacher than about the possibility of some secret Islamic iman attempting to influence the education of American kids.

Perhaps your definition of NOT neutral means not agreeing with your religious beliefs. I see a lot of that thinking in the majority faith of any culture.

[onslowe]

It's true that no one of us is neutral, and certainly not those who strive to be neutral, non-opinionated and fair and dispassionate. Disagree with one of those people and see what happens very quickly.

I read Rags123 'Not neutral' comment above as those who would either derogate widespread particular belief systems in this country, or at least add to the mind set that one religion is as good as another and not read it in the way described in the above
post.

I believe that Rags123 and me and many many other people are the end users and consumers of present and recent educational system, and can see the muddled, confused products in the moral, spiritual and (gulp) religious lives of our students.

And it's all too easy to play down the importance of who selects and buys the text books for our kids' school districts - especially in social studies. Neutral? No. As neutral as coining a word like "Christianistic." Says an awful lot about one's purported neutrality.

[blueash]

I don't have PTSD and my reaction would be the same. From other textbooks I have seen, these schools are not teaching basic facts about Islam, they are promoting it. They also do not discuss the current global violence caused by extremists.

From the transcripts, the school was not truly threatened nor was the administrator.

So if an angry Marine threats to "bring down a **** storm like they've never seen" on the school, that is not a threat? You don't think they should tell such a person to stay away from the school? You think the obligation of the administrators is something other than to try to protect the school in this situation? They didn't tell him not to complain. They didn't tell him in the words of the administrator in New Jersey to "sit down and shut up". He still has the loudest megaphone in the nation at his disposal. Schools have sadly seen some major **** storms in the last few years. Threatening another one sounds like a big red flag to anyone paying attention.

Hmm, every time I type ****, the forum changes it to ****

[Rags123]

Your posting seems to indicate that you actually believe that the state of Maryland, the school in the community, and that teacher are subtly attempting, or even blatantly attempting, to indoctrinate these high school students into Islam? I appreciate your disclaimer that you "have no opinion on how it was being presented" but then you raise huge capitalized warnings on the danger. You categorically state it is NOT neutral people.

And you know that because why? Your evidence is what? What is the likelihood that a teacher in Maryland is a secret agent of Islam vs the likelihood that they are a member of a fundamentalist Christian sect that believes in a 6000 year old earth and that the end days are foretold in the last chapter in THE BOOK? You see, I am more worried about that Christianistic teacher than about the possibility of some secret Islamic iman attempting to influence the education of American kids.

Perhaps your definition of NOT neutral means not agreeing with your religious beliefs. I see a lot of that thinking in the majority faith of any culture.


First of all , I was NOT replying to anything you said at any time.

Secondly, you took the great liberty of completing cutting my post in half to misrepresent it. I suppose you had some reason for misquoting and taking out of context, although I am not used to that type of person at all.

I was replying to a post from QUIRKY3 and my complete post was, including those that you cut out to serve some purpose....was...

"If only your words "An understanding of world cultures, including understanding our differences, promotes healthy conversation and reduces the type of fear caused by lack of education." could be true.

They are not, as evidenced by history. These "understanding of world cultures" have been allowed to be at the mercy of those presenting what they feel is important. Thus, I did not see the material thus have no opinion on how it was being presented, and I say to anyone who espouses this teaching so we can understand.....be aware of WHO will be teaching the material to allow that understanding.

It is NOT neutral people presenting what you might think. "

Despite what you claim...

.....I did not seem to indicate " ..actually believe that the state of Maryland, the school in the community, and that teacher are subtly attempting, or even blatantly attempting, to indoctrinate these high school students into Islam?" despite your attempt to put those words in my mouth. Again you say that I said "categorically state it is NOT neutral people." when again, I was not speaking of the State of Maryland in anyway, but you hijacked this for your own thoughts.

I would appreciate it if you you quote me in the future, you do not distort what I say nor take it out of context.

Your lecture not withstanding, I was not talking to you but replying to an individual post, and I do not think I could have made it clearer that I was not speakin of Maryland or anything but a point raised by another poster.

PS....and while from reading your posts it would serve no purpose, let me remind you that QUIRKY3 was responding to a post on COLLEGE teaching and thus so was I.

[TexaninVA]

... You see, I am more worried about that Christianistic teacher than about the possibility of some secret Islamic iman attempting to influence the education of American kids.

You usually post well researched opinions and I was getting ready to reply to your first informative post in this thread when I saw your reply to Rags … over to plan B.

“Christianic”? Now, that’s a tad provocative but that’s the idea I imagine. However, if you are truly more worried about Christianity’s influence viz a vis Islam that I have to conclude you just don’t see what’s out there …i.e., in terms of the planet we currently all live on. I would argue that Islam is *obviously* a more aggressive religion / world view in contemporary times than anything Christianity or Judaism presents today. Do you agree with that? ( I also get tired of people always bashing Israel but that’s another thread, and not to say that you believe that btw)

I think the most powerful force in human history has proven to be religious faith (be it for good or bad, the point is it’s powerful). Islam has never lost its (misguided) faith, hence they still strongly wish to propagate their faith in various way, including demographics. People are thus skeptical that what was presented in the Maryland classroom was truly “neutral” -- not that it was presented to help students learn. You do great research … if you can provide more sources that show Christianity and Judaism are truly presented in an equivalent manner in Maryland that would be helpful in terms of what this thread relates to.

The USMC Dad was wrong to approach it the way he did no doubt. But, I can understand how he may have felt at the emotional level especially since he was in a combat zone while most of us, for example, get to live comfortably here in the TV bubble and don’t have to deal with those realities for now. However, his concern is that his kid was being propagandized vs educated. I realize the standard response is to tag people who opine in this manner as anti-education yahoos etc, but it’s pretty clear that Islam is now a PC protected topic.

In a related manner to this thread, here’s a video that provides a glimpse into the multicultural paradise that now exists in parts of the UK. Tell us what you honestly think about it. I don’t think anyone on this board wants to see this type of future one day for our kids and grandkids, including you.

Dire Warning: Islam Is Changing England Forever (Terrifying Video!) - The Political Insider (http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/dire-warning-islam-changing-england-forever-terrifying-video/)

[TexaninVA]

Once again, the vulpine does not report accurately or completely but what they think will go over best with the extreme (uninformed) viewers.

The former Marine sounds as though he has PTSD and should not be let near the school. Personally, I think the Chuck County police should make sure he has no guns as he sounds like one who might shoot up the school.

Didn't any posters here ever study about the religions of an area when studying history? I know I did and my daughter also did.

You know, I debated using the Fox news source because I was concerned about the catnip type effect it may have on certain posters. The reference to “extreme” is amusing because that’s the SOP categorization for anyone who does not express allegiance to “mainstream, moderate and enlightened” opinion. Hence ridicule and attack … Saul is down there somewhere …. smiling.

Be that as it may, I had to laugh at the use of the term “vulpine.” Very creative … I liked it. :)

[Sandtrap328]

[quote=TexaninVA;961303

In a related manner to this thread, here’s a video that provides a glimpse into the multicultural paradise that now exists in parts of the UK. Tell us what you honestly think about it. I don’t think anyone on this board wants to see this type of future one day for our kids and grandkids, including you.

Dire Warning: Islam Is Changing England Forever (Terrifying Video!) - The Political Insider (http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/dire-warning-islam-changing-england-forever-terrifying-video/)[/quote]

I just looked at that video. To me, it looked like the driver of the car was the one with the problem. He clearly was known to the Muslim community as a troublemaker. It looked as though he assaulted the Muslim by punching him.

There are places in the US right now that are Muslim communities just as there are Chinese, Latino, or Korean communities. What is the problem with that?

Regarding the "no trespass order" for the father at LaPlata High, if your child went there and a former Marine threatened to bring a "xxxxstorm like has never been seen" to that school, would you be okay with that?

[Bogie Shooter]

My children were not taught this….WHY now?

Its a new world.

[rubicon]

My children were not taught this….WHY now?

Sophie: you are spot on. The fact is our educational institutions have been taken over by radical educators who show a disdain for America and have crowded kids thoughts with this colonalism, diversity crap etc while stifling free speech if anyone dare oppose, and worse yet fail to teach them what they need to survive in the world as our embarrassing scholastic standings in the civilized world show. In the opinion section of the Daily Sun there is a clearer explanation from a reader about radical educators.

They make the marine look insane but he was probably ticked that he and his friends risk their lives only to come home to this nonsense. Educators have kids believing that Americans are oppressors. We saw some of this with the native american issue. It is true Europeans push westward from the colonies but it is also true that native americans pushed native americans out as they migrated down north out of Canada, etc . Its called survival its history.

I am going to explain further in another post so as not to fatigue a reader

[Rags123]

Perhaps I am just old, but I recall vividly as a young child the animosity toward anyone who was Japanese. I had an uncle who actually scared me with his attitude about Japanese people.....he had first hand witnessed many deaths UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL AND could be likened to the current beheadings. Very vicious.

I do not know the Marines service history...I am not excusing it....just pointing out that in our history, this attitude is not unique !

[rubicon]

Part II

There are 1.5 billion Muslims i the world and the powers to be have shackled them to dogmatic traditions such as sectarianism, tribalism, chauvinism and theocracy.

This has resulted in human rights violations upon woman, minorities and all other religions. For example Saudi Arabia religious police prevented girls from escaping a burning school in Mecca (circa 2002) because their head scarves were not completely covering their head. All 15 died as a result. Educators should stick to writing reading and arithmetic but they won't because they have been brain washed and now they continue the pattern

[Sandtrap328]

The former Marine was put on an order of no trespass because he threatened to "bring down a xxxxstorm like never seen before" at LaPlata High School.

It makes no difference whatsoever what topic was being studied.

Would any poster here feel their child was safe at that school with that threat being given to the superintendent? I hope not!

[blueash]

You seem to think you have all the answers but as of yet not one human can get a drop of the sun to analyze it! We have computers and they make man think they are someone more than a cricket! Man can do nothing without GOD! All we do with these computers is go round and round the earth!

I am sorry. I may have made you angry. I do not have all the answers. I admire those who seek far and wide to find answers to the unknown. You believe all the answers can be found in one old book. I don't accept that limitation on the search for wisdom. I do think I am more than a cricket. I thought your book said the same, something about dominion over them. And I think the earth circled on its axis and revolved around the sun for many billion years (maybe except that one day when Joshua made the sun stop) We are never going to agree on the truthiness of religion. We can agree on the golden rule, on the values of honesty and sacrifice for community and family. Is that enough for you? If I am wrong and am to spend eternity in hellfire for being a good person who denied God his obeisance then I am sure I will find myself in the company of many fine people. I love my children whether they love me back or not. I would hope a God worth worshipping would outdo me in that regard.

[Sandtrap328]

Once again, the story is not about the subject being taught at LaPlata High School. The story is about a former soldier (the article never said what he does now for a job) who threatened to bring down a "xxxxstorm on that school like has never been seen before".

Would you want your grandchildren at that school when he shows up for that xxxxstorm?

[TexaninVA]

Once again, the story is not about the subject being taught at LaPlata High School. The story is about a former soldier (the article never said what he does now for a job) who threatened to bring down a "xxxxstorm on that school like has never been seen before".

Would you want your grandchildren at that school when he shows up for that xxxxstorm?

Actually, that's backwards. The real point of the story is all about the "normalization" of Islam in our schools. That is a major problem that we ignore to our collective peril, and I'm pondering opening a separate thread on that.

I agree however, that the Marine was wrong ... he lost it.

[rubicon]

Think about who is reporting this story and why? Are they being objective? Have they tilted the story one way? Do they report the content of the study the school is conducting about Islam?

This issue and others pertaining to schools make me a supporter of school choice

[Indydealmaker]

Once again, the story is not about the subject being taught at LaPlata High School. The story is about a former soldier (the article never said what he does now for a job) who threatened to bring down a "xxxxstorm on that school like has never been seen before".

Would you want your grandchildren at that school when he shows up for that xxxxstorm?

Not for a moment do I believe that he was threatening any of the kids or the school, just the absolute idiocy of the administrators. He was ****ed. Not enough parents pay sufficient attention to what their kids are and are not being taught. He did and he was as mad as hell. If he was going to get violent, he would have done so swiftly.

There is no way that Islam should be represented as a legitimate religion and one of peace until mainstream Muslims become extremely vocal about the radicals. Someone needs to draw a line and keep drawing it day after day. The radicals need to be marginalized.

[tomwed]

I feel sorry for all concerned. I am a retired teacher. I think it is a fair assignment but if I were the teacher I would have changed the assignment because her student's father was a brave Marine who lost some friends and was upset. The curious students in the class who want to learn about Islam will do it on their own.

Letting Fox get involved makes money for Fox one way or the other.

[TexaninVA]

There is no way that Islam should be represented as a legitimate religion and one of peace until mainstream Muslims become extremely vocal about the radicals. Someone needs to draw a line and keep drawing it day after day. The radicals need to be marginalized.

That is an excellent point Indy ... spot on. The radicals do indeed need to be marginalized, or they will take the entire religion over given enough time and brutality.

The question you raise about the "mainstream Muslims" is ... why have they not spoken up?? There's only two answers I can hypothesize ... either a) they are afraid too ... ie might cost them their head, or b) deep down, they agree with the thrust of making Islam and Sharia world-wide. I really don't know which it is, but neither answer is satisfactory.

[graciegirl]

I am sorry. I may have made you angry. I do not have all the answers. I admire those who seek far and wide to find answers to the unknown. You believe all the answers can be found in one old book. I don't accept that limitation on the search for wisdom. I do think I am more than a cricket. I thought your book said the same, something about dominion over them. And I think the earth circled on its axis and revolved around the sun for many billion years (maybe except that one day when Joshua made the sun stop) We are never going to agree on the truthiness of religion. We can agree on the golden rule, on the values of honesty and sacrifice for community and family. Is that enough for you? If I am wrong and am to spend eternity in hellfire for being a good person who denied God his obeisance then I am sure I will find myself in the company of many fine people. I love my children whether they love me back or not. I would hope a God worth worshipping would outdo me in that regard.


This is kind and fair. Not all of us are engineered to be scientists and our abilities to conceptualize many things are very different. We cannot always make another understand the things we think we know and we are forced to take others the way they are, hoping they will do the same and accept us.. That is why I like some of the old wisdom, the tradition passed down from generation to another.

It probably will not be important for most of us for the rest of our lives whether we think of ourselves as all primates, and somehow related; the fuzzy ones and the unfuzzy ones.

When I went to school, all I remember about Muslim people is that they were called Moors and were responsible for the arch and had to be tortured by the Spanish to find out stuff.

I wish that there would be a way to teach differences in philosophy and religion fairly in public school, but most of us don't want our children to be taught that another way is the "right" way. I know I didn't. I would handle that myself...but as a result, we really DON'T know much about other peoples religious beliefs and other peoples lack of religious beliefs.

We cannot, should not, will not be all alike. But we can work to be accepting of each other.

[Rags123]

This is kind and fair. Not all of us are engineered to be scientists and our abilities to conceptualize many things are very different. We cannot always make another understand the things we think we know and we are forced to take others the way they are, hoping they will do the same and accept us.. That is why I like some of the old wisdom, the tradition passed down from generation to another.

It probably will not be important for most of us for the rest of our lives whether we think of ourselves as all primates, and somehow related; the fuzzy ones and the unfuzzy ones.

When I went to school, all I remember about Muslim people is that they were called Moors and were responsible for the arch and had to be tortured by the Spanish to find out stuff.

I wish that there would be a way to teach differences in philosophy and religion fairly in public school, but most of us don't want our children to be taught that another way is the "right" way. I know I didn't. I would handle that myself...but as a result, we really DON'T know much about other peoples religious beliefs and other peoples lack of religious beliefs.

We cannot, should not, will not be all alike. But we can work to be accepting of each other.

I keep going back in time on this. This Marine saw good friends and buddies killed by Muslims. He returned home and watched more die.

I mentioned earlier...my uncle who witnessed first hand....brutal slayings by Japanese of his very good friends and frankly had he heard about anything being taught about Japan, he would have been front and center at the school.

Thus I cut this guy a break....my uncle would give anyone the shirt of his back but could not forget what he witnessed during the war with Japanese.

Today, with this doggone internet, we get information about situations like this so instantly and then with our current culture, we all jump on board to take a side and get it spread everywhere.

I do not read too much into this...I do not understand the pontificating as if this isolated incident was going to change the world.

I do not throw stones JUST to throw stones and this strikes me as something that should be left to die. There is no great moral lesson to be learned. There is no impact on anyone except those right on the scene.

The situation with Muslims will work out, one way or another. Hating anyone just because strikes me as a total waste of time. We are not charged with making policy, so lets just let folks live their lives....make mistakes..do good things....you know, LIFE. Our war is with RADICAL MUSLIMS. Some, with agendas seem to want to make this something it is not.

[quirky3]

I keep going back in time on this. This Marine saw good friends and buddies killed by Muslims. He returned home and watched more die.

I mentioned earlier...my uncle who witnessed first hand....brutal slayings by Japanese of his very good friends and frankly had he heard about anything being taught about Japan, he would have been front and center at the school.

Thus I cut this guy a break....my uncle would give anyone the shirt of his back but could not forget what he witnessed during the war with Japanese.

Today, with this doggone internet, we get information about situations like this so instantly and then with our current culture, we all jump on board to take a side and get it spread everywhere.

I do not read too much into this...I do not understand the pontificating as if this isolated incident was going to change the world.

I do not throw stones JUST to throw stones and this strikes me as something that should be left to die. There is no great moral lesson to be learned. There is no impact on anyone except those right on the scene.

The situation with Muslims will work out, one way or another. Hating anyone just because strikes me as a total waste of time. We are not charged with making policy, so lets just let folks live their lives....make mistakes..do good things....you know, LIFE. Our war is with RADICAL MUSLIMS. Some, with agendas seem to want to make this something it is not.

Wow! I totally agree with you!!!:beer3: :22yikes:

[Sandtrap328]

"I keep going back in time on this. This Marine saw good friends and buddies killed by Muslims. He returned home and watched more die.

I mentioned earlier...my uncle who witnessed first hand....brutal slayings by Japanese of his very good friends and frankly had he heard about anything being taught about Japan, he would have been front and center at the school.

Thus I cut this guy a break.

I do not read too much into this...I do not understand the pontificating as if this isolated incident was going to change the world.'

I did a little cutting but did not change the timbre of the post here.

The ex-soldier father did see friends and buddies die at the hands of Muslims. True. However cutting the guy a break, to me, is not in the cards. He did not like his daughter being taught about Islam. So he goes to the school superintendent and threatens to bring down a "xxxxstorm upon the school." Sure sounds as though he has severe emotional issues. To most reasonable people (a standard of law), this sounds like he is going to do some horrendous act of violence at the school.

This very well could have been the next Sandy Hook School incident in which a crazed (bring down a xxxxstorm upon the school sure sounds crazed) person kills schoolkids. IF that would have happened - people would be saying things like the school knew about this man and yet did nothing to protect the kids.

[Gary7]

... We cannot, should not, will not be all alike. But we can work to be accepting of each other.


This sentence says it all for me. That is my two cents.

[Rags123]

"I keep going back in time on this. This Marine saw good friends and buddies killed by Muslims. He returned home and watched more die.

I mentioned earlier...my uncle who witnessed first hand....brutal slayings by Japanese of his very good friends and frankly had he heard about anything being taught about Japan, he would have been front and center at the school.

Thus I cut this guy a break.

I do not read too much into this...I do not understand the pontificating as if this isolated incident was going to change the world.'

I did a little cutting but did not change the timbre of the post here.

The ex-soldier father did see friends and buddies die at the hands of Muslims. True. However cutting the guy a break, to me, is not in the cards. He did not like his daughter being taught about Islam. So he goes to the school superintendent and threatens to bring down a "xxxxstorm upon the school." Sure sounds as though he has severe emotional issues. To most reasonable people (a standard of law), this sounds like he is going to do some horrendous act of violence at the school.

This very well could have been the next Sandy Hook School incident in which a crazed (bring down a xxxxstorm upon the school sure sounds crazed) person kills schoolkids. IF that would have happened - people would be saying things like the school knew about this man and yet did nothing to protect the kids.

Methinks this is a bit dramatic.

The Marine in question, as the article states, was BANNED from the school and as the story ended they were in "negotiations". I am betting this same type of thing happens many many times over the country but does not get raised to the level of media.

This is probably getting more attention here on TOTV than it gets anywhere in the country. You keep bringing up what he said and I suggest that in anger I am betting you , and most of us, have said worse.

If this bothers you so much...well, I cannot advice you on what to to. For me, I read it...it happened...its over.

If you really really believe that this is the first man banned from his kids school, or that he is the first man to ever make a verbal threat...well, it just isnt so....and he was banned and they are talking to each other.

[rubicon]

This school is doing what many have been doing for sometime and the higher the education the more brainwashing by teachers.

They hide their cultural/diversity agenda in this school by calling it history but it is not history and to focus that much time effort and detail into the study of Islam is exactly what it looks like.

We are paying more per pupil then we ever had and the scholastic standings continue to drop. Students in poorer countries in Europe surpass our students.
Why because it is all about HOW TO FEEL AND NOT ABOUT HOW TO THINK.
Stop and listen to what kids are saying about our great country.

Further and more important teachers are forming students moral opinions and that is something they are not entitled to claim for themselves.

We needto revamp our education system big time

I not only don't blame this marine, I support his non- violent efforts because he is just plain mad as ----and he is going to take it any more.

[Sandtrap328]

[QUOTE=rubicon;963862]

I not only don't blame this marine, I support his non- violent efforts because he is just plain mad as ----and he is going to take it anymore"

His yelling at a meeting with the school superintendent that he is " going to bring down a xxxxstorm like that school has never seen" is NONVIOLENT and you support that???

[Buffalo Jim]

Not that many years ago my daughter was in Middle School . Similar situation under the guise of studying the history of the " World`s Great Religions " the History teacher introduced a similar assignement to the one being discussed in this Thread .
However in their studies prior to an extensive segment on Islam which required a great deal of in class projects and written assignments the subject of Christianity had received a mere " gloss over " . The teacher had referred to Christ as a Historical Figure whose existence is " not well documented " by historical evidence .
Well on her own my daughter stood up one day and challenged the Teacher as to why Christianity received such little attention compared to Islam .
While a long time Honor Student this led to her being sent to the Principal`s Office for being " disruptive " and of course resulted in her parents being called in for a " Conference ".
We did not make a big deal about the matter because we liked the school . We told our daughter that it was Ok to respectfully question her teachers but best done without standing up to give a speech .
Her response was " I`m smart enough to see what they are trying to get us to believe > To which I agreed but shared that as time goes by it will only most likely get worse especially when you get to College .

[TexaninVA]

Not that many years ago my daughter was in Middle School . Similar situation under the guise of studying the history of the " World`s Great Religions " the History teacher introduced a similar assignement to the one being discussed in this Thread .
However in their studies prior to an extensive segment on Islam which required a great deal of in class projects and written assignments the subject of Christianity had received a mere " gloss over " . The teacher had referred to Christ as a Historical Figure whose existence is " not well documented " by historical evidence .
Well on her own my daughter stood up one day and challenged the Teacher as to why Christianity received such little attention compared to Islam .
While a long time Honor Student this led to her being sent to the Principal`s Office for being " disruptive " and of course resulted in her parents being called in for a " Conference ".
We did not make a big deal about the matter because we liked the school . We told our daughter that it was Ok to respectfully question her teachers but best done without standing up to give a speech .
Her response was " I`m smart enough to see what they are trying to get us to believe > To which I agreed but shared that as time goes by it will only most likely get worse especially when you get to College .

What an excellent post and thanks for sharing the story. Kudos to your daughter … may all of our kids be both as gutsy and perceptive as she obviously is.

What I really don’t understand … why in the world do the left wing academics try to push Islam in the manner they do? By any sane measure of comparison, Christianity vs Islam is a no-brainer in terms of which is better for the future of America and our kids/grandkids. The notion of Sharia, for example, is so barbaric and backward you would think any academic type would recoil in horror at the prospect of this religion spreading its influence. Why would feminists not be militanly opposed? I wonder how well gay marriage and the gay culture would do under Sharia come to think of it? Duh.

So, with all the wise and well informed people on this board (plus a few who are ... well, never mind), can someone explain or hypothesize why this ultimately suicidal bravo sierra is foisted upon impressionable young minds in the classroom?

[Sandtrap328]

Not that many years ago my daughter was in Middle School . Similar situation under the guise of studying the history of the " World`s Great Religions " the History teacher introduced a similar assignement to the one being discussed in this Thread .
However in their studies prior to an extensive segment on Islam which required a great deal of in class projects and written assignments the subject of Christianity had received a mere " gloss over " . The teacher had referred to Christ as a Historical Figure whose existence is " not well documented " by historical evidence .
Well on her own my daughter stood up one day and challenged the Teacher as to why Christianity received such little attention compared to Islam .
While a long time Honor Student this led to her being sent to the Principal`s Office for being " disruptive " and of course resulted in her parents being called in for a " Conference ".
We did not make a big deal about the matter because we liked the school . We told our daughter that it was Ok to respectfully question her teachers but best done without standing up to give a speech .
Her response was " I`m smart enough to see what they are trying to get us to believe > To which I agreed but shared that as time goes by it will only most likely get worse especially when you get to College .

Kudos to your daughter for question her teacher and to you for reminding her to do it respectfully.

The ex-soldier did not disagree respectfully but basically threatened the school by saying he would bring a "xxxxstorm down on the school like had not been seen before."

Big difference between your way and his method.

'nuff said!

[Rags123]

What an excellent post and thanks for sharing the story. Kudos to your daughter … may all of our kids be both as gutsy and perceptive as she obviously is.

What I really don’t understand … why in the world do the left wing academics try to push Islam in the manner they do? By any sane measure of comparison, Christianity vs Islam is a no-brainer in terms of which is better for the future of America and our kids/grandkids. The notion of Sharia, for example, is so barbaric and backward you would think any academic type would recoil in horror at the prospect of this religion spreading its influence. Why would feminists not be militanly opposed? I wonder how well gay marriage and the gay culture would do under Sharia come to think of it? Duh.

So, with all the wise and well informed people on this board (plus a few who are ... well, never mind), can someone explain or hypothesize why this ultimately suicidal bravo sierra is foisted upon impressionable young minds in the classroom?


I cannot honestly venture an answer to your question, but will share what I think we are ALLOWING in our schools.

Our basic morals have been broken. I really hate to sound like an old guy who is talking about walking far to school, etc., BUT it used to be that our academics were shared with parents and that parents actually were involved up front and took part.

So much today....there is NO parent involvement, and as I said in an earlier post and got burned for saying it......those teaching are human beings with their own agendas and left unfettered their agenda will surface, AS IT WOULD WITH ANY OF US....the key is parent involvement...being aware of what is going on in the schools...what the academic plan is.

Enough for my lecture....it does not answer WHY, but I am betting that local folks IF THEY ASK, can find out some things.

The lack of parental involvement in our public schools puts our youngest at the whim of a hired teacher. Listen, my wife spent over 30 years in a classroom, thus I support teachers, but we live in a new world and involvement by parents is so crucial to the school, the teachers and the community.

This cannot be legislated.....this is a local issue and the only folks who can do it are the parents.

[BarryRX]

The children do have to learn history not a religion that is not their own.
My daughter was in college and the professor of one of here classes said he did not want to hear anything about any of their religions. They had to do a final paper on the class and the professor said if anyone could prove to him there is a GOD they would pass his class with 150% - She had wrote 3 pages but what stood out the most was - if we came from monkeys then why are there still monkeys?
So, I'm guessing she didn't pass her science courses either.

[Sandtrap328]

I find it really hard to believe that any reasonable person would object to their child (or themself) learning about Islam in the same vein as they would learn about any of the other religions of the world.

I am not talking about indoctrinating a child with any religion in school - Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, Islam, etc.- but to learn of the history of the religions and how it has affected the history of a region and of the world.

Narrow minded thinking never leads to a good conclusion.

[tomwed]

I reread some of the articles. The mistake was made by the vice principal. The marine asked for an alternate assignment before he got angry. After teaching for 36 years I can tell you that an experienced administrator will have the good sense to see how upset the father is, offer an alternate assignment and diffuse the situation for everyone’s sake.

[graciegirl]

I cannot honestly venture an answer to your question, but will share what I think we are ALLOWING in our schools.

Our basic morals have been broken. I really hate to sound like an old guy who is talking about walking far to school, etc., BUT it used to be that our academics were shared with parents and that parents actually were involved up front and took part.

So much today....there is NO parent involvement, and as I said in an earlier post and got burned for saying it......those teaching are human beings with their own agendas and left unfettered their agenda will surface, AS IT WOULD WITH ANY OF US....the key is parent involvement...being aware of what is going on in the schools...what the academic plan is.

Enough for my lecture....it does not answer WHY, but I am betting that local folks IF THEY ASK, can find out some things.

The lack of parental involvement in our public schools puts our youngest at the whim of a hired teacher. Listen, my wife spent over 30 years in a classroom, thus I support teachers, but we live in a new world and involvement by parents is so crucial to the school, the teachers and the community.

This cannot be legislated.....this is a local issue and the only folks who can do it are the parents.


I do so agree. Parent involvement is key. I don't think there is a good way to teach the religions of the world in public schools...and sadly we need to know about them. You will tread on some toes because it is almost impossible to treat any religion as an overview with so many different versions of Christianity and so many people who are not religious at all who are sometimes grouped as a religion rather than an ethnicity.

So I remember only about the "Moors" and the arches and the Spanish torturing people for ...I don't remember.. My Lutheran church classes before Confirmation gave a really good and not biased view of other faiths, but since I did not know, had never seen in person or on the screen any people who were Muslims, it rolled right over my head.

I really think religion is an impossible subject in public schools.

[graciegirl]

I reread some of the articles. The mistake was made by the vice principal. The marine asked for an alternate assignment before he got angry. After teaching for 36 years I can tell you that an experienced administrator will have the good sense to see how upset the father is, offer an alternate assignment and diffuse the situation for everyone’s sake.


Damned straight.

[Beechie]

The biggest concern I have about teaching history of the world in our classrooms would be from whose perspective? Our universities and colleges run rampant with far left ideologues such as Bill Ayres, Ward Churchill etc. whose main agenda is to put America in its place. They have such hatred for everything the USA stands for. Yet they, and many, many others, have the ears of our youth. Patriotism makes them cringe.

As far as the marine goes, could he have handled the situation better? Perhaps, perhaps not. The school system is in total control of the curriculum and should have been more sensitive to the concerns of the marine and all others that were offended but kept quiet for fear of reprisal. I find it difficult to think that the school was blindsided by the parent’s reactions.

Are we a little touchy when it comes to Islam and its teachings? Of course, whether it's real or perceived. When it boils down to one's interpretation of the Koran to discern whether they are moderates or extremists should concern us all. I know the extremists represent a very small percentage
of Islam but they represent a wicked world and times we left behind some 1200 years ago. They are on a mission and we are in their way.

[Wandatime]

When I was in the third grade we spent a whole year on early American history. We learned a little bit about Christianity as part of the lesson.

When I was in the 6th grade we spent almost half the year on the Holocaust. We learned a little bit about Judaism as part of the lesson.

When I was in the 9th grade we spent almost half the year on Greek and Roman gods. We learned a little bit about Greek and Roman religions as part of the lesson.

When I was in 11th grade we spent almost half the year in World History on the middle east. We learned a little bit about Islam as part of the lesson.

When I was in college I took a course in philosophy. Many religions and how the various philosophers felt about their religion and how that created their viewpoint was part of the lesson.

I don't know how you separate religion from history.

[Abby10]

Thank you, tomwed, for your further research on this matter to bring more clarity to what actually happened. What I find disturbing is that the school did not feel a need to be sensitive to the concerns of someone who put his life on the line to serve and protect this country, yet surely if this had been any other person representing a special interest group their "tolerance radar" would have reacted with a much higher degree of sensitivity.

[Sandtrap328]

Some have written that the girl should have been given an alternative assignment because "she" (her father) did not believe in Islam.

Ridiculous! Should a student be given an alternative assignment because her family does not believe in evolution? Should a student be given an alternative assignment because her family does not believe the Holocaust ever happened? Should a student be given an alternative assignment because her family thinks the Earth is flat? Of course not!

[graciegirl]

Some have written that the girl should have been given an alternative assignment because "she" (her father) did not believe in Islam.

Ridiculous! Should a student be given an alternative assignment because her family does not believe in evolution? Should a student be given an alternative assignment because her family does not believe the Holocaust ever happened? Should a student be given an alternative assignment because her family thinks the Earth is flat? Of course not!


It could be that it was because he believed that Radical Islam was not mentioned nor explained..He may have wanted it taught that THAT FORM of ISLAM IS HORRIBLE AND IT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

(Someone is going to bring up the crusades, hide and watch)

[Sandtrap328]

It could be that it was because he believed that Radical Islam was not mentioned nor explained..He may have wanted it taught that THAT FORM of ISLAM IS HORRIBLE AND IT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. )

Re-read post number 4 on the first page of this thread. It states what Kevin Wood said to the school superintendent. He did not mention those things stated in your post.

We all agree that radical Islam is terrible just as we agree that a radical form of Christianity (shooting of abortion doctors) is terrible.

Kevin Wood stated his daughter should not have to study something she does not believe. If he had stopped right there, no problem and it probably would have been fine.

However, he went too far off the deep end and threatened the school with violence. At that point, a "No Trespass" order was placed on him.

Gotta go now to see Rocky and the Rollers at Lake Sumter Landing!

[Sophie11]

I see nothing wrong with teaching Islam as long as they teach Christianity right along with it. Children should learn of all religions.

It is my understanding that GOD has been removed by the schools in America.

Do you think they teach Christianity in the schools over in Pakistan? Afghanistan?

[Sandtrap328]

This was a Middle East history segment that was being taught and how Islam contributed to the history of that region. It was not teaching Islam as a religion but as a historical factor.

[mfp509]

When I see stories like this, the first thing I do is research it out - 9 times out of 10 there is more to the story than what is reported on the news or newspapers. Yes, we have problems in this country but why make more by reporting incomplete stories, blowing up negatives, and reporting things out of context? Sad. Glad I choose not to swallow everything that's fed to me.

[tomwed]

As a teacher/coach something like this happened to me. And I would be surprised if it didn't happen to every teacher but you don't hear about it. It didn't make the papers.

I coached a coed golf team that was capped at 12 players. We had tryouts and the best 11 players, with the lowest scores were all boys.

One of the moms of the 3 girls that didn't make the cut called me and insisted that her daughter be on the team and I was being sexist. I need to make an exception just for her daughter. She had the worst score of the 3 girls.
I asked the mom for 24 hours.

I called the girl down and and told her that her mother called me. The girl said she was so sorry and her mother means well but she can be such an embarrassment. I told her not to worry and to keep this just between us.

The next day I told the team that I was not cutting anyone. The top 6 players will practice everyday and the other 10 will rotate every other day and try to work their way into the line-up. Everyone could come everyday but only 11 will play the course. The rest of the group can hit balls on the driving range, chip, putt, work on sand shot, yada, yada, yada.

As I got to know her I found out she beat cancer when she was 10. She stayed on the team all 4 years and did not improve all that much. In her senior year I insisted she play in a match at least once. She didn't want to, she just wanted to be on the team. When she graduated she enlisted in the Navy.

A teacher needs to be flexible and put the child first. What good would it have done for me to stand my ground? With everyone coming and going we had a terrible season in the league. But it was fun.

[Challenger]

When I see stories like this, the first thing I do is research it out - 9 times out of 10 there is more to the story than what is reported on the news or newspapers. Yes, we have problems in this country but why make more by reporting incomplete stories, blowing up negatives, and reporting things out of context? Sad. Glad I choose not to swallow everything that's fed to me.:shrug:

This problem is epidemic on TOTV

[outlaw]

I do so agree. Parent involvement is key. I don't think there is a good way to teach the religions of the world in public schools...and sadly we need to know about them. You will tread on some toes because it is almost impossible to treat any religion as an overview with so many different versions of Christianity and so many people who are not religious at all who are sometimes grouped as a religion rather than an ethnicity.

So I remember only about the "Moors" and the arches and the Spanish torturing people for ...I don't remember.. My Lutheran church classes before Confirmation gave a really good and not biased view of other faiths, but since I did not know, had never seen in person or on the screen any people who were Muslims, it rolled right over my head.

I really think religion is an impossible subject in public schools.

Do you remember that the Moors invaded and conquered Spain, then invaded France before they were defeated and eventually retreated back to the middle east?