Jul

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Public School Endorsement of Islam?

July 2, 2007 |

The controversy is still brewing after a substitute claimed that religious indoctrination was occurring in the San Diego Schools.

OVERVIEW

Background: The U.S. Department of Education’s guidelines say students can pray at public schools during school hours by themselves or with fellow students. However, Å teachers and other public school officials may not lead their classes in prayer, devotional readings from the Bible or other religious activities.

What’s happening: A substitute teacher claimed that Carver Elementary School in San Diego was indoctrinating students into Islam, and that a teacher’s aide led Muslim children in prayer. An investigation failed to substantiate the claims, but the allegations have thrust Carver into a nationwide debate over prayer in schools.

The future: Carver, which has set aside a 15-minute break to allow time for students to pray, is considering alternative prayer accommodations. Religious and civil rights groups are monitoring developments.

At issue? Do Christians get similar treatment or is the school board caving in to accommodate Islam over other religions. Considering the history of the public schooling institution I would say that Islam is getting more leeway. There is no assimilation or exceptions in Islam in the area of diet or how they pray or even when they pray. They don’t really want to assimilate and they are hoping to convert the entire United States. Unlike Christians however they will be… lets say a little more adamant about it than Christians.

Supporters of Carver say such an accommodation is legal, if not mandatory, under the law. They note the district and others have been sued for not accommodating religious needs on the same level as non-religious needs, such as a medical appointment.

Those not so supportive see a double standard.

He said he’s “against double standards being used,” such as when there is a specific period for Muslim students to pray and not a similar arrangement for Christians.

In my estimation there seems to be more eagerness to accommodate the Islamic crowd as opposed to others. In the same way Christian articles and cartoons are permitted more readily in media while ones earlier have been censored to avoid offense. Keep your eye on this development.


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