speechlesstx
Jul 11, 2007, 03:16 PM
In case you hadn't heard...
A San Diego public school has become part of a national debate over religion in schools ever since a substitute teacher publicly condemned an Arabic language program that gives Muslim students time for prayer during school hours (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070702-9999-1n2prayer.html).
Carver Elementary in Oak Park added Arabic to its curriculum in September when it suddenly absorbed more than 100 students from a defunct charter school that had served mostly Somali Muslims.
After subbing at Carver, the teacher claimed that religious indoctrination was taking place and said that a school aide had led Muslim students in prayer.
An investigation by the San Diego Unified School District failed to substantiate the allegations. But critics continue to assail Carver for providing a 15-minute break in the classroom each afternoon to accommodate Muslim students who wish to pray. (Those who don't pray can read or write during that non-instructional time.)
Some say the arrangement at Carver constitutes special treatment for a specific religion that is not extended to other faiths. Others believe it crosses the line into endorsement of religion.
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.
Islam requires its adherents to pray at prescribed times, one of which falls during the school day.
Of course the San Diego Unified School District "failed to substantiate the allegations," they really have no choice but to fail to substantiate the allegations.
As I heard it from Roger Hedgecock (not just a conservative talk radio host but former mayor of San Diego), this substitute was handed a lesson plan which included one hour to pray. She asked if it was a typo, if they meant one hour to play, but she was told no it means pray. At the appointed time an aide came in, closed the blinds in this class of strictly Muslim girls and led them in prayer.
A CAIR spokesmen of course brushed it off as no different then other "student led" and initiated religious activities in school. That's the kicker folks, Islam in America does not acknowledge the double standard and is demanding more and more accommodation, from taxi drivers refusing to carry passengers suspected of having alcohol, to taxpayer funded foot basins in public restrooms - and universities. The University of Michigan-Dearborn plans to spend $25,000 for foot-washing stations (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070605/SCHOOLS/706050368/1003/METRO). Meanwhile, William and Mary is removing crosses from their chapel.
I think you'd better wake up folks... how do you feel about it?
A San Diego public school has become part of a national debate over religion in schools ever since a substitute teacher publicly condemned an Arabic language program that gives Muslim students time for prayer during school hours (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070702-9999-1n2prayer.html).
Carver Elementary in Oak Park added Arabic to its curriculum in September when it suddenly absorbed more than 100 students from a defunct charter school that had served mostly Somali Muslims.
After subbing at Carver, the teacher claimed that religious indoctrination was taking place and said that a school aide had led Muslim students in prayer.
An investigation by the San Diego Unified School District failed to substantiate the allegations. But critics continue to assail Carver for providing a 15-minute break in the classroom each afternoon to accommodate Muslim students who wish to pray. (Those who don't pray can read or write during that non-instructional time.)
Some say the arrangement at Carver constitutes special treatment for a specific religion that is not extended to other faiths. Others believe it crosses the line into endorsement of religion.
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.
Islam requires its adherents to pray at prescribed times, one of which falls during the school day.
Of course the San Diego Unified School District "failed to substantiate the allegations," they really have no choice but to fail to substantiate the allegations.
As I heard it from Roger Hedgecock (not just a conservative talk radio host but former mayor of San Diego), this substitute was handed a lesson plan which included one hour to pray. She asked if it was a typo, if they meant one hour to play, but she was told no it means pray. At the appointed time an aide came in, closed the blinds in this class of strictly Muslim girls and led them in prayer.
A CAIR spokesmen of course brushed it off as no different then other "student led" and initiated religious activities in school. That's the kicker folks, Islam in America does not acknowledge the double standard and is demanding more and more accommodation, from taxi drivers refusing to carry passengers suspected of having alcohol, to taxpayer funded foot basins in public restrooms - and universities. The University of Michigan-Dearborn plans to spend $25,000 for foot-washing stations (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070605/SCHOOLS/706050368/1003/METRO). Meanwhile, William and Mary is removing crosses from their chapel.
I think you'd better wake up folks... how do you feel about it?