Parents Object To Muslim Lessons At School.

[trt]

I dont think I would be very happy if one of my children went there, considering the ongoing problems around Europe..

http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14269330.Muslim_lesson_at_County_Durham_primary_school_sparks_anti_Islam_protest/

[vetuste_ennemi]

"Education eradicates ignorance, and without ignorance there is no fear.

Large swathes of the adult population in this country live in fear and ignorance about a faith they know nothing about, save the extreme examples that make the headlines. "

I don't think much of the logic of the first statement I've quoted, Andy. Why do you think that people would fear Islam less if they knew more about it?

[jackthehat]

Why would they need Anjem Choudhary to talk to children at the school?
The chap they invited in seems to have been quite sufficient.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Does anyone have the text of the Muslim speaker's lecture?

[andy-hughes]

PiedPiper - //How about someone like Anjem Choudary ? //

Let's change the subject - but not the analogy?

The school wants to invite a speaker in to talk about Conservatism, why have David Cameron when you can have Nick Griffin?

The entire point about Anjem Choudary is that he categorically does not speak for the majority of Muslims - only the small extreme, but seriously over-publicised, minority.

As jack advises, the gentleman chosen would appear perfectly capable.

[andy-hughes]

PiedPiper - //Sufficient but totally irrelevant. //

On what grounds do you judge him to be irrelevant?

[agchristie]

JTH - I was merely questioning Andy's choice of character for reasons I'm sure you can deduce...

[jackthehat]

The school obviously felt that he was relevant....

[jackthehat]

Yes, ag, I am well aware of your reasons.

[jackthehat]

And once more we fall into the well-worn path.....

[Old_Geezer]

In such sensitive times it may have been handled better than to state that a Muslim leader was going to turn up; leading some folk to fear that their children were going to be subject to indoctrination. Perhaps if the school taught religious studies as facts about belief systems, and the usual teacher spent as much time of Islam as any other religion that is looked at, then there would have been no outcry.

It is plain that some fear Islam, which is unfortunate, but hardly surprising given the number of times it is associated with violence/terrorism and the aims some of the extremists "shout from the rooftops". Now is a time for a "softly softly" approach to such education. Whilst at the same time ensuring the measures are in place to stop the terrorist making matters worse.

[andy-hughes]

vetuste - //I don't think much of the logic of the first statement I've quoted, Andy. Why do you think that people would fear Islam less if they knew more about it? //

If I feared every single snake on the planet because I believed that every single one was poisonous, I would serious benefit from being advised which ones are absolutely harmless, then I can live perfectly peacefully alongside the harmless ones, and avoid the dangerous ones.

Thinking every snake is poisonous is ignorance.

Learning that not all snakes are poisonous is education.

Apply that to the Muslim faith, and ta-daaah - my statement becomes true.

[andy-hughes]

Old_Geezer - //In such sensitive times it may have been handled better than to state that a Muslim leader was going to turn up;//

If you can find anyone on the planet who can turn a classroom full of children into his way of thinking in the space of an hour, there is a job waiting for him - it's called President of the United States.

[trt]

## So TRT, what is your main gripe???? ##

Sharon,
I wouldn't want my children being taught about Islam at such an early age, they have enough to learn as it is.

Would it be OK then to bring in speakers to teach the children about, Mormons, Buddhism, Atheist, Jewish Orthodox etc, etc.

We are losing our British Identity, or have lost it in some parts of the UK, and by the way I am against the people outside the school demonstrating.

[jackthehat]

My son was taught about Hitler at school......as far as I know he has no plans to invade Poland.

[Old_Geezer]

That reality is less of a problem than the perceived situation from those who fear. Many would be concerned that is is bad enough if even one starts to doubt and "give an inch" to this different religion.