Thursday, June 01, 2006

9th Circuit okays Islam in classroom

Back later today to comment. But for now Read this and let me know what you think.
In 2001, Excelsior Middle School in Byron, 40 miles east of San Francisco, advised a classroom of twelve-year olds that, "[for the next three weeks], you and your classmates will become Muslims." Thereafter, the students memorized portions of the Koran, chose Islamic names, wore tags bearing their new Islamic names alongside the Star and Crescent Moon - the symbol of Muslims, completed the Five Pillars of Faith, and recited Muslim prayers. Ironically, the teacher's edition of the course textbook warned: "Recreating religious practices or ceremonies through role playing activities should not take place in a public school classroom."
In 2002 the family sued, but...
a California federal district court judge appointed by Clinton ruled the course lacked "any devotional or religious intent" and was only educational. Notwithstanding a double standard between how the district court treated Islam and how federal courts have treated other religions in the classroom, the Ninth Circuit agreed.
Hmmm. Here are some of my thoughts. First, this is one reason that, although I'm a believer, I do not want prayer in schools. The question becomes which prayer and to whom will we be required to pray? Second, the 9th is clearly in the wrong here and is applying a double standard. Third, I'm still waiting for what you have to say about this...

3 comments:

  1. am I to take this that you are active again?

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  2. okay, I'm posting again - no fanfare - and I promise not to get addicted this time. :-) lgp

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  3. My thought is (hey, why didn't you tell me you were back?! ;-) that if they had tried this same thing with Christianity instead of the Muslim faith, the 9th Circuit would have shot it down in a heartbeat! Both violate the Establishment Clause in my opinion (when taken to the extreme that is represented in this article...I do think it's possible to teach, as opposed to practice, world religions in the public schools without violating the Establishment Clause).

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Keep it clean and positive. (And sorry about the word verification, but the spmb*ts are out in full force!)