I recently read an article that complained about a school having children copy calligraphy during a lesson on the culture of Islam:
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/12/15/students-practice-calligraphy-by-writing-there-is-no-god-but-allah.html
I realize that this may be disturbing to some people. However, I personally see it as good education - play is the best way to learn. No child is going to know what that text says - it's just calligraphy to them. But, personally, I think it would be even better if they DID know what it said. We're talking about educating people, not indoctrinating them. Understanding what others believe is not a bad thing!!!
They let the kids draw calligraphy, try on hijab-like head coverings, and learn about the geography and culture.
The article states (in what comes across as outrage), "In other words, there were more than likely a few Christian teenagers in that room who had no idea they were writing, 'There is no god but Allah.' But the school district doesn’t seem to think that’s a problem."
It is NOT a problem. There is no Christian belief that prohibits learning about other cultures. Nobody was asked to recite any belief sacred to Islam... but why should we live in a world where we're afraid to know or even memorize alternative beliefs?
I hope that my kids are lucky enough to have teachers who make learning interactive; who present a safe environment for considering what the world is like; who help my children to challenge their preconceived notions; who open their minds to complicated issues. Personally, I WANT my children to really understand all the world.
Someone might make the argument that this is akin to showing children pornography as a means of helping them understand what pornographers are doing. I guess I can see where you're coming from, except that you and I see either pornography or Islam very differently. I tend to think it's the latter, and that Islam (the religion of 23% of the world) deserves more respect.
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