awpitt
Main Streeter
Oh. I never saw that mentioned in any of the news sources. We'd you see it?
What the hell is going on in LaPlata??
- Thread starter Baja28
- Start date
Oh. I never saw that mentioned in any of the news sources. We'd you see it?
lovinmaryland
Well-Known Member
I know the family...and the local news printed their stories before contacting the family while they were in the meeting w/ the school officials (which I personally think is pretty crappy) Somdnews.com has update their story since speaking w/ them though.
awpitt
Main Streeter
I just read the updated artcle... http://www.somdnews.com/article/20141027/NEWS/141029296/1055/parent-banned-from-la-plata-hs-after-islam-homework-dispute&template=southernMaryland
Why is it crappy for the media to report it at the time they did? One article said they did attempt to contact the Woods. And based on Kevin Wood's own words, it sounds like he needs to get grip.
He displays a complete lack of understanding of what's going on in the class. No student was being told to "practice" any religion. They were learning about the religion's role in the history of the region.
Really? No wonder he got banned from the school.
terbear1225
Well-Known Member
:like:
Salvador
One Nation Under God
terbear1225
Well-Known Member
looking over the assignment as posted, it doesn't seem out of line to me. There is a difference between teaching about another religion and advocating it's adoption.
lovinmaryland
Well-Known Member
They never tried to contact them until after the story was posted. Id think theyd want tp get both sides. :shrug:
Lurk
Happy Creepy Ass Cracka
Agreed. I think the secretive handling of the assignment by the daughter may have started the father believing there was some nefarious intent with the homework. I also agree with those who question whether other world religions are getting equal exposure in the history classes. Maybe the school system should show the Woods the homework assignment sheets which cover the other major world religions.
Looking at the homework examples at the beginning of this thread does not appear to be an attempt to persuade a junior in high-school to don a hijab and start carrying an AK-47 in her book bag. I would hope a girl of that age has been prepared to make discerning decisions about vital topics such as this in the home and school environments. She should be able to point out that some of the "book" answers about Muslim beliefs don't jibe with the current public image of followers of Mohammad.
PJay
Well-Known Member
Right. Unfortunately Islam is in fashion now.
awpitt
Main Streeter
Well, the media found out about this whole thing some how and I'm sure the school didn't spill the beans.
I completely disagree with that statement. I might agree with it more if, in fact, there had been a constructive evolution of what kids are taught. Quite the opposite has happened instead and I think we're raising (on purpose, sadly) a generation of auto-conforming automatons with zero critical thinking skills and no interest in the world outside of their own little bubble.
MMM_donuts
New Member
I partially agree with you. I would like to see children encouraged to use their critical thinking skills. I think it's more of our society that stifles it, though. I think a great deal of that is done through religion but also through our own government. One of the places I think it flourishes is school, specifically in the sciences.
mAlice
professional daydreamer
I am good buddies with an admin at this school. Up until about a week or so ago, he wasn't even aware that this was an issue/story. They were recently called for a meeting to discuss the issue and I am guessing this is where you started to see formal responses to the media.
Facts:
Bottom line and first of all, the guy was issued a standing order due to his threats to cause a disruption to the school. He didn't make physical threats. Under the regs/laws, the school has the right to bar this individual from the campus and the enforced it.
Secondly, the issue at hand isn't necessarly Islam and their current role in society. The lesson in question discusses the Islam faith (and others) as part of the history within the development of the Middle East. it doesn't discuss the religion other than to outline its foundational beliefs (the same as is done with Christianity for example). There is no propaganda involved. It is lesson based on history. There should be no rejection based on the concept of religion (such as observing a religious event/holiday).
Based on this, by not having his daughter complete the assignments, she will take a zero for missed coursework.
Personal opinion:
I fall on the right side of the fence and usually support a person right to object to something. However, I believe this individual is applying his disdain (and rightfully earned) for the Muslim faith to his belief that he can force the school to not expose his child to the history of it.
I don't agree with this. I don't tihnk they are apples to apples. If the school was trying to blow smoke up people's asses by saying the religions current standing is one of peace and acceptance or by discussing the beliefs of the faith (the good parts) without acknolwedging the current issues (while discussing current politics) - then his argument would be good and I would support him.
I believe the school's responsibility is to provide the history (especially in the context of this lesson) and to do so factually and without bias. It is then up to the student to form a belief or an opinion. That is part of learning.
I grew up in a Catholic household. Attended Catholic school for some of my education and regulary attended church at the demand of my mother. I had a view of (religous) things from a Catholic teaching perspective. I then went to college and not only learned "new" things about my relgion (World History) but also had to participate in a religion class as a prerequsite (sp) as it has a Methodist backing. While Christian, it certainly differed from the "facts" that I was taught growing up. It was VERY valuable to me on many levels.
Point being, there is no harm in learnig about things you don't typically believe or support. It's up to the individual to accept it or redefine their beliefs. This parent is depriving their child of that and looking like an ass while doing it.
Facts:
Bottom line and first of all, the guy was issued a standing order due to his threats to cause a disruption to the school. He didn't make physical threats. Under the regs/laws, the school has the right to bar this individual from the campus and the enforced it.
Secondly, the issue at hand isn't necessarly Islam and their current role in society. The lesson in question discusses the Islam faith (and others) as part of the history within the development of the Middle East. it doesn't discuss the religion other than to outline its foundational beliefs (the same as is done with Christianity for example). There is no propaganda involved. It is lesson based on history. There should be no rejection based on the concept of religion (such as observing a religious event/holiday).
Based on this, by not having his daughter complete the assignments, she will take a zero for missed coursework.
Personal opinion:
I fall on the right side of the fence and usually support a person right to object to something. However, I believe this individual is applying his disdain (and rightfully earned) for the Muslim faith to his belief that he can force the school to not expose his child to the history of it.
I don't agree with this. I don't tihnk they are apples to apples. If the school was trying to blow smoke up people's asses by saying the religions current standing is one of peace and acceptance or by discussing the beliefs of the faith (the good parts) without acknolwedging the current issues (while discussing current politics) - then his argument would be good and I would support him.
I believe the school's responsibility is to provide the history (especially in the context of this lesson) and to do so factually and without bias. It is then up to the student to form a belief or an opinion. That is part of learning.
I grew up in a Catholic household. Attended Catholic school for some of my education and regulary attended church at the demand of my mother. I had a view of (religous) things from a Catholic teaching perspective. I then went to college and not only learned "new" things about my relgion (World History) but also had to participate in a religion class as a prerequsite (sp) as it has a Methodist backing. While Christian, it certainly differed from the "facts" that I was taught growing up. It was VERY valuable to me on many levels.
Point being, there is no harm in learnig about things you don't typically believe or support. It's up to the individual to accept it or redefine their beliefs. This parent is depriving their child of that and looking like an ass while doing it.
PJay
Well-Known Member
I stopped at "I am good buddies with an admin"
mAlice
professional daydreamer
I'd really like to know what the father threatened to do? A disruption can be caused in many ways. Such as bringing this to the attention of other parents, getting the media involved, or organizing a group of people to picket in front of the school and block traffic. So, I'm not going to take any sides on this particular item.
As for teaching about a religion based on a history lesson, I'm okay with that. As long as that is how it's being taught. That said, there are so many opportunities for teachers to drive their agenda in schools, and teachers have been caught doing it, that I also wouldn't rule that out. I'll add that the media would most likely play along.
So, while it's nice that you have someone on the inside to give you their POV, I really can't see how anyone will ever know what exactly happened, and forming any opinion will be difficult to do. There are just too many variables.