All schools shut down in Augusta County, Virginia, over Islam homework

[smilesammich 10,727]

They should've made the assignment shorter with writing "There is no God". Everyone would be much better off.

goes to show the magical unicorn thinking these "adults" (parents no less) wallow in. seriously afraid that the act of writing something indoctrinates. "HEY I PUT IN YEARS OF WORK BRAINWASHING MY KID FOR JESUS, YOU NO TAKE FROM MEEEE"

Major overreaction I agree. It probably shouldn't been an assignment though.

they're going to change what the students write in the future, i guess because of the threats of violence from the 'civilized' religion and all

Major overreaction I agree. It probably shouldn't been an assignment though.

and why shouldn't it be an assignment in world religious studies?

[Sousuke 1,214]

and why shouldn't it be an assignment in world religious studies?

I read that it wasn't translated. So no one in the class was aware of what it said.

[smilesammich 10,727]

I read that it wasn't translated. So no one in the class was aware of what it said.

i'm still not seeing the problem. does copying text you don't understand mean you've been tricked into allegiance to the text? if they had known what it meant, considering they were learning about islam, i'm pretty sure the offended parents would have still been offended. considering the current political climate, these parents probably want islam dropped from the class altogether.

eta, i just can't believe that the schools had to shut down over threats. .

Edited December 18, 2015 by elitesthuglib

[Sousuke 1,214]

i'm still not seeing the problem. does copying text you don't understand mean you've been tricked into allegiance to the text? if they had known what it meant, considering they were learning about islam, i'm pretty sure the offended parents would have still been offended. considering the current political climate, these parents probably want islam dropped from the class altogether.

eta, i just can't believe that the schools had to shut down over threats. .

I agree in general. At most, teachers using the book should have written the publisher to include a translation. Nothing more.

Edited December 18, 2015 by Sousuke

[smilesammich 10,727]

I agree in general. At most, teachers using the book should have written the publisher to include a translation. Nothing more.

i'm thinking that it really is about the fact that anything related to islam is being taught. the kids were also allowed to wear a hijab, i'm sure that went over just as well.

also just read that there was no 'specific threat' but that the sheriff's office recommended they shut the county down. lol. crazy ol'virginie hicks.

[Sousuke 1,214]

i'm thinking that it really is about the fact that anything related to islam is being taught. the kids were also allowed to wear a hijab, i'm sure that went over just as well.

also just read that there was no 'specific threat' but that the sheriff's office recommended they shut the county down. lol. crazy ol'virginie hicks.

On the hijab, do you think the lesson should have provided the context of repression of women's rights?

[smilesammich 10,727]

On the hijab, do you think the lesson should have provided the context of repression of women's rights?

well if they're talking about the basic foundations of the religion, i don't see how they could avoid it. just in explaining why women have to wear it..oppression should certainly come up in the conversation. which is why we should have classes that cover all the religions, and students should freely discuss, without their parents overseeing the content of that discussion.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Apologies up front for the non-PC language but holy ####### are we are acting like a bunch of scared ignorant people in this country these days. It is embarrassing.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Wimpy parents.

My 6th grader had to read an article on Syrian refugees and whether or not we should allow them in.

Good thinking for the brain. My daughter says we should go to war, fix the problems so the Syrians can live in their own country and send the refugees back.

These parents need to grow up

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

So when the next bunch of kids is copying bible verses that denounce homosexuals all will be cool right ?

If those kids had been writing Jesus is the only true god, most of you would have been outraged.

[smilesammich 10,727]

I read that it wasn't translated. So no one in the class was aware of what it said.

this puts a better light on what was given to the students..it seems they were explicit that it was islam's statement of faith - but didn't go into what exactly that statement says

So when the next bunch of kids is copying bible verses that denounce homosexuals all will be cool right ?

If those kids had been writing Jesus is the only true god, most of you would have been outraged.

well, christianity doesn't have a statement of faith. and when you're learning about the major religions, christianity isn't skipped over.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

this puts a better light on what was given to the students..it seems they were explicit that it was islam's statement of faith - but didn't go into what exactly that statement says

well, christianity doesn't have a statement of faith. and when you're learning about the major religions, christianity isn't skipped over.

You and I generally agree on religious matters. I can't believe you are ok with this

[smilesammich 10,727]

You and I generally agree on religious matters. I can't believe you are ok with this

knowledge is power. my son and i talk about christianity, ideas about god, ideas about the nature of god, the concept of salvation etcetc all the time. i was indoctrinated as a child and i absolutely have done everything in my power to make sure my son has been given every opportunity to think and question for himself when it comes to religious matters. i have never allowed my son to go to church. but if he wanted to go now, with a friend or my parents or something, i would let him. he's almost 14 and he knows how to think for himself. he knows how to question. when he studies world religions, in a public school setting, i don't have any worries. he could have a teacher assign writing koran verses, bible verses, hebrew whatever..and well..i just don't get the fuss. what is the big deal? allah is the one true god. see? i just typed it. still don't believe it. god is dead. allah is fiction. see? nothing. why do you think it's a big deal?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

You and I generally agree on religious matters. I can't believe you are ok with this

I took a religion class that required an extensive course in the major religions. We even had to go check out a mosque. I don't see what the big deal is.

[smilesammich 10,727]

here's some more perspective..

The closure of Augusta County schools wasn't the first controversy spearheaded by Starnes' columns, many of which focused on perceived slights against Christianity, Christians, and Christmas. Starnes previously advanced claims of a ban of Christian objects at VA chapels, a ban on the phrase "Merry Christmas" (and Christmas trees) at VA hospitals, a ban on a religious song at high school football games, a University chapel renovation involving the removal of pews to purportedly placate Muslims, the replacement of the word "God" with the word "Allah" in the Pledge of Allegiance, court-martials involving Christian servicemen, bans on Christian gift baskets at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, a ban on American flags (which happened to be draped over flammable barbecue pits at a food event), and a claim President Obama egregiously misrepresented the meaning of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

http://www.snopes.com/2015/12/17/augusta-county-schools-close-controversial-arabic-assignment/