I recently heard a friend mention that her daughter was being taught basic principles and beliefs of Islam at a local (Wash Co) public school. I applaud their courage for daring to try and teach anything about various religions and what they believe. I think it can be good for our kids to learn what each of the world's major religions believe. However, they're treading on dangerous ground, and must be very careful not to teach that any particular beliefs are especially valid at the expense of the others - which can be very hard to do.

For example, I hear that the kids were being taught to ACCEPT the patently Muslim belief that Muslims and Christians believe in the same God. I'm sure the teacher was acting innocently enough - ignorant of the distinct differences between Islam's "Allah" and the "God" of the Bible. But what (s)he was doing, albeit unwittingly, was inculcating the children with Muslim beliefs that offend Christians.

Again, I applaud their courage for trying to teach our kids something about the beliefs of a variety of religions, but I stridently object to them inculcating the kids with any notions of the relative merits or truth of any of them. I don't mind kids being taught the facts - what it is that each religion teaches - but I will NOT have my tax dollars spent teacing our kids that the dieties of different religions are interchangeable or even that all religions are somehow equally valid (which is itself a distinctly Eastern Religious, New Age belief and distinctly opposes the Christians belief that the God of the Bible is the only true diety and that Christ is the only means of salvation).

The PUBLIC schools would probably be better off not even trying, rather than risk promoting any particular religion, as they are doing in this case.

I agree. This ice is way too thin and they probably shouldn't even try. Make sure they can read and do math first.

Welcome back, B. We didn't always agree, but you do inject some unique perspectives. And Heather was stressed enough!

I kinda agree with your last statement. It would seem quite difficult to get agreement on what the curriculum should teach.

BMIC -what school in Washington County? Believe me, if it was Eastern or E. Russell Hicks or S. Haggy or Tech High I'd have heard...so I'm curious....

This is too tricky--like trying to explain Atheism v. Christianity v. Buddism..the school should not go out on this limb..

Boonsboro Middle School, unless I am mistaken. I don't think the teacher even realized she was promoting Muslim belief when she asserted that the God of Christianity and the "Allah" of Islam were one and the same. More likely she was spouting a version of the "New Age" Eastern religious garbage that has become entrenched in some parts of our popular culture - that beneath it all, all religions worship the same "god". Of course that is a religious belief that is not shared by orthodox Christianity and should not be taught to children as if it were the truth.

Like I said, more than anything it's very tricky business, getting into these kinds of things, and it would be easiest to stay out of trouble if the Public School leaves it to parents and churches to give religious instruction including teaching about other religions. I think it's good for kids to be taught about various religions, but I don't think the Public School is up to the challenge, considering how delicate a subject it is.

New teacher or one that's been around awhile? Maybe she wasn't trying to say they were the same but trying to show that Allah was a god in Islam like our Christian god.

I don't remember nor would I post the teacher's name if I did. I didn't really feel too good posting the school. This post is not meant to be about the teacher or school or I would've called the school personally. I'm more concerned that the community be aware so we can keep an eye out and quiz our children since this could happen anywhere.

I had hoped that MAYBE it was something like what you suggest too, but no, I and her mother questioned the student very carefully and I assure you I have the facts straight and that the student is aware of the distinction. The teacher allegedly flat out said that both worship the same god, not that one CLAIMS to worship the same god as the other, nor that both worship a god, either of which would be neutral statements.

Consider too that that there are lots of opportunities for teachers to introduce subtle bias into their teachings on various religions. Students also have a constitutionally-protected right to express their opinions that their religion of choice is the only true one (religious speech is especially protected), so when the teacher then tries to "correct" them it's going to raise a serious potentiial legal battle/controversy. It's probably just not something the public schools should be getting into.

Chill - I didn't expect you to name the teacher; just wanted to know if they were a newbie or one of the old fixtures.