There's Nothing Wrong with Teaching About Islam in Public Schools Hemant Mehta (http://www.friendlyatheist.com, http://www.patreon.com/Hemant , https://www.facebook.com/friendlyatheist) http://patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/10/26/ignorant-christian-parent-furious-because-his-sons-school-tried-to-educate-students-about-islam/ http://patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/10/31/former-marine-banned-from-daughters-high-school-after-making-threats-regarding-history-unit-about-islam/ Recently, there have been a couple of cases of parents freaking out because their kids are being taught about Islam in their public high schools. Let me repeat that: They were taught Islam, the basic tenets of Islam, in world history classes. Their teachers weren't trying to convert them. This wasn't some secret conspiracy. They were just being taught what Muslims believe. Basic things. The Five Pillars of Islam. Who was Muhammad? Things like that. There's nothing wrong with any of that. In fact, it'd be silly not to learn about that stuff because of how much effect those beliefs have had on various parts of the world. I mean, it's hard to understand current events if you don't know a few basic things about what motivates devout Muslims, just as it's hard to understand U.S politics if you don't know anything about evangelical Christianity. So the schools did nothing wrong. They were teaching kids about the major world religions, they were on the units covering Islam, and all hell broke loose with these parents. In one case, in Massachusetts, the dad said it was insulting that his son was learning this material because they believe in Jesus. Who knew being a Christian was a Get Out of Jail Free card for getting smarter? I don't have to learn anything I don't already believe! My education stops here. What's the dad gonna complain about next? While we're at it, why are we learning about other countries? We're Americans, dammit! It's worth pointing out that even halfway-decent private Christian schools teach students about the beliefs of Islam. In another case, in Maryland, the dad was so furious, he said he would "bring down a shitstorm on the school." So they had to issue a no-trespassing order against the guy, because that could be a threat. I feel awful for these kids, though. I don't know if they feel the same way their parents do, but it's irresponsible for these parents to force their kids to be as ignorant as they are. It's the same worry I have when parents freak out because their kids are reading a book in English class that might contain some mature topics and language. They demand an alternative assignment... because their kids must never be exposed to books that make them think. The Bible's fine, though. I'm afraid of asking what happens when these students have to take a science class and learn about evolution, or a health class where they learn about birth control and condoms. I just hope they're able to learn about these topics in spite of their parents. Because they're missing out on some really important information. If only the parents could sit in on those same classes, maybe they'd learn something, too. You Might Also Like ... 7 Things That Prove God is Real https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ50omyWziE&list;=PLZGLqPtxUOKEZxzukuev1YpLUQp-CtKDq&index;=128 78 Questions for Christians https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI-_FJuTPns&index;=138&list;=PLZGLqPtxUOKEZxzukuev1YpLUQp-CtKDq 4 Creative Ways to Deal with Preachers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3kHcV36dak&index;=133&list;=PLZGLqPtxUOKEZxzukuev1YpLUQp-CtKDq Join the conversation. Leave your questions and comments below and we'll try to address them in future videos. Don't forget to subscribe for more! Also, follow us at ... https://twitter.com/atheistvoices https://www.facebook.com/TheAtheistVoices https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/106662137332631352312/106662137332631352312/posts/p/pub http://theatheistvoice.tumblr.com/ http://www.theatheistvoice.com/ The Atheist Voice provides a platform for discussion for atheist leaders, authors, bloggers, activists, and everybody else who is passionate about atheism, and secularism. Join the discussion by commenting under the videos or submitting video responses. If you'd like to collaborate on this channel or if you'd like to appear in our videos please visit our website www.TheAtheistVoice.com

• published: 08 Nov 2014
• views: 4420