Texas School District Investigates Muslim Bias in School, Finds Christian Bias Instead

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Islamophobia has been spreading like wildfire across Texas. Avi Selk reported [3] today about a chain email sent to the Irving school district and across Texas that made some waves. Selk writes [3], "Back in late October, someone named Ginger Russell sent a chain email with the subject 'IRVING ISD INDOCTRINATING ISLAM' to school board members and district officials" and other emails instructed Christians to "stand up against the pro Islamic teaching in our public schools."

The alleged indoctrination had to do with the fact that the district uses a state-wide teaching program called CSCOPE [4], which is put together by the Texas Education Service Center Curriculum Collaborative, administered by an organization called Region 10 [5].

Selk writes that district officials took the claims seriously enough to reach out to Region 10, which tried to reassure the school's board members that the program met with all state requirements. When that wasn't enough they hired someone to review the curriculum for Islamic bias. Selk writes [3]:

The director, Jan Moberly, said she hired a "very socially and fiscally conservative" former social studies teacher who "watches Glenn Beck on a regular basis" to seek out any Islamic bias in CSCOPE.

Guess what Moberly found? There was religious bias, but in fact it was a bias against Islam. Christianity got the highest billing, with twice as many mentions as any other religion in CSCOPE.

Russell's fear-mongering turned out to be as valid as the mythical war on Christmas. But the revelation that there is bias against Islam is nothing new for many of the country's young Muslims. Teaching Tolerance lists [6]a few of the many incidences that have been reported in schools:

• In St. Cloud, Minn., a high school student created a short-lived Facebook group called "I hate the Somalians at Tech High." The area is home to one of the largest groups of Somali refugees in the country, many of whom are Muslim.
• In Oklahoma, a student was suspended after wearing a hijab, or headscarf, at school on September 11, although she had worn it for weeks before.
• In Massachusetts, when a Cambridge store burned down, Muslim high school students were asked by classmates if they bombed the store.
• In New York, four high school students were charged with a hate crime after spending more than a year bullying a Muslim classmate, occasionally beating him and calling him a terrorist.

As Teaching Tolerance reports [6], "there is a strong correlation between a child's sense of inclusion and academic success," which makes it even more of a shame that school districts like Irving are wasting their time on fanning the flame's the right's culture wars.

http://www.alternet....an-bias-instead

[decocker 7,198]

so much for all that persecution christian kids must endure in public school.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

so much for all that persecution christian kids must endure in public school.

Yeah, that persecution they have to endure - the most hilarious claim ever.

[bsd058 296]

so much for all that persecution christian kids must endure in public school.

It still happens, val. The study doesn't say persecution doesn't happen. It shows a Christian bias (whatever that means, whether it be in curriculum or in students or even teachers, I don't know). Christian children are still made fun of or even beat up because of their beliefs in school. I know I was. But I'm in Canada. That could be a factor.

Edited December 12, 2012 by bsd058

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It still happens, val. The study doesn't say persecution doesn't happen. It shows a Christian bias (whatever that means, whether it be in curriculum or in students or even teachers, I don't know). Christian children are still made fun of or even beat up because of their beliefs in school. I know I was. But I'm in Canada. That could be a factor.

I don't know. Looking at my daughter's class, I can't tell who is or isn't following what religion. Just keep your religion between yourself and your God and your church. There, problem solved. Now, if you don't want to do that and if you think you've got it bad as a Christian, try belonging to a minority religion.

Edited December 12, 2012 by Mr. Big Dog

[bsd058 296]

I don't know. Looking at my daughter's class, I can't tell who is or isn't following what religion. Just keep your religion between yourself and your God and your church. There, problem solved. Now, if you don't want to do that and if you think you've got it bad as a Christian, try belonging to a minority religion.

To be a Christian, you can't keep your religion to yourself. Part of being a Christian is talking about your faith to others. Of course, you're not supposed to force it down their throats either, but it's just not possible to be silent (if you have the capability to not be silent) and truly Christian.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

To be a Christian, you can't keep your religion to yourself. Part of being a Christian is talking about your faith to others. Of course, you're not supposed to force it down their throats either, but it's just not possible to be silent (if you have the capability to not be silent) and truly Christian.

That's your understanding of what it means to be a Christian. That doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of Christians out there that keep their faith to themselves. And they are no less Christian than you.

[bsd058 296]

That's your understanding of what it means to be a Christian. That doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of Christians out there that keep their faith to themselves. And they are no less Christian than you.

We can just agree to disagree on this. Though, I don't claim to be a very good Christian, myself. Hope everyone has a great day.

[Darnell 8,479]

Welcome to Irving ! We have many Mosques and Community Centres here.

[decocker 7,198]

Christian children are still made fun of or even beat up because of their beliefs in school. I know I was. But I'm in Canada. That could be a factor.

you were beat up by kids in school because you're christian? what was the religious affiliation of the bullies?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I don't know. Looking at my daughter's class, I can't tell who is or isn't following what religion. Just keep your religion between yourself and your God and your church. There, problem solved. Now, if you don't want to do that and if you think you've got it bad as a Christian, try belonging to a minority religion.

It's hard walking the path of the righteous either way, but being a Muslim right about now is a trial in itself. Because when one does something bad, the entire religion suffers.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I listen to a lot of conservative talk radio (CTR) because I like the feeling of a hammer banging upside my head. CTR is a hotbed of hatred for three basic things, Obama, liberals and Muslims. Earlier in the week, on the drive home from a meeting, Hugh Hewitt is talking to various of his fellow travelers, each one trying to outdo the previous one about how evil Islam and Muslims are. This morning, I wake up to local talk show host Peter Boyles, who is almost giddy that he is distributing the guiding wisdom of rabid Muslim hater Robert Spenser, one of very favorites, he repeats about every ten minutes during the hour. Never mind that Spenser is a fraud, he is esteemed for his ability to spew hate and lies to fraidy cat Christian folk. I won't even mention the Christian station; they import Islam haters from Europe to speak to GOP politicians in the state. All of this is done in the name of Christianity, mind you. I don't know how the FCC allows it.

[decocker 7,198]

yeah i don't see the whole christian vs islam thing going away anytime soon. unfortunately not as fleeting as the whole eastcoast vs westcoast rap thing...though about the same in content.

[Darnell 8,479]

TBN broadcast headquarters are here in Irving.

Just a Mile North, is a huge Mosque with a Huge-r Community Center.

I think it's a land-grab issue.