Comments on: School texts: It’s OK to kill adulterers, polytheists, apostates

By: Holice Pender

Holice Pender — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:12:13 +0000

My concern is not with whether the school does or doesn’t teach evolution.I think there may be some confusion as to which school we are referring to.Let me be clear,I am writing about the Islamic school, not the Texas school.My concern is that a school of this nature is allowed to operate any place in the US & teach such hatred of other people.I am quite sure the founding fathers did not have any such teaching as this in mind when they wrote the article on freedom of religion into the constitution. If that means we have to allow this type of religious beliefs to be taught,private, or otherwise,then I say it is past time we make an amendment to the constitution.I do believe in freedom of religion,however I think there should not be allowed the teaching of violence or hatred toward any other group or nationality of people under any circumstances.If they practice anything else,then they should be shut down immeadiately & exiled from this country.I think your religious rights should end,when they infringe on someone elses rights. Religious or any other rights.

By: José

José — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:52:51 +0000

No misogyny, Peach, and my response to you was intended to be much more neutral. (Indeed, you can and should read it that way.) I am, however, confused by your question and was trying to clear things up. The topic concerns a private school and a county government that is leasing a vacant property to the school. When you say “they”, it not at all clear which “they” you mean. If you mean the state government then you are talking about something completely different, something not mentioned in the article, the previous posts, or even in your original post.

By: peach

peach — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:35:37 +0000

Jose:
Is it just me, or do you take a condescending attitude with the majority of females? I was asking a legitimate question, for in order for the STATE to receive federal funding all schools in that state, have to be accredited by the No child Left Behind Act of 2001 – they are required to follow certain guidelines which most usually include theteaching of evolution. If this school does not follow certain guidelines, which include the education and qualifications of the teachers, then the WHOLE state as I understand the Act can lose their federal funding. In other words, teachers or schools cannot teach what THEY want on their own.

By: José

José — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:19:22 +0000

UK, don’t you find those things offensive? I certainly do, but then again I’m offended by lots of things.

“…there are more issues here…”
Such as? What is your suggestion for how the Fairfax County government should lease out its property, and with what conditions?

Peach, which “they” are you talking about? This school doesn’t get funding. It gives funding. I understand that private schools (not receiving taxpayer dollars!) have a lot of latitude in what they teach. Someone correct me if this is wrong, but fundy Christian schools don’t have to mention evolution at all, much less teach that it is accepted scientific fact. They could teach the great turtle theory if they want. However, I suspect that most of the schools recognize and accept the reality that anyone who aspires to education beyond high school had better know some basic theory, even if they don’t subscribe to it.

By: peach

peach — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:48:54 +0000

I wonder if legally they have to teach evolution in order to get funding? I believe there is a school in Texas-Institute for Creation Research that has come under fire recently for not teaching evolution.

By: UKLutheran

UKLutheran — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:54:50 +0000

“that some folks might find offensive…”

Interesting choice of words, Jose.

If this article is factual and the textbooks really do state that “the Jews conspired against Islam and its people” and that Muslims are permitted to take the lives and property of those deemed “polytheists,” then I imagine that most people would find them offensive… especially if worshiping the Father, Son and Holy Ghost makes one a “polytheist.”

Again, assuming that this article is accurate, there are more issues here than whether the local government is spending or receiving money for this school.

By: José

José — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:41:34 +0000

The local government is RECEIVING money from this private school, right? As opposed to SPENDING taxpayer dollars on religious education that some folks might find offensive?