A news outlet has recently reported a story of parents in a certain Georgia school district being up in arms over the subject of their child's current school curriculum. Parents are screaming bloody murder, conspiracy, and coming together to make a run on the school district, over what they see as offensive. What's the heinous offense one school has been accused of doing? What subject matter has these concerned parents (all whom are non African American) so upset and ready to take it as far as they can? Religion. Not just any religion, but the teaching of Islam.
Really? Islamic religious beliefs have these parents calling foul play on the school district? Is the school requiring the students to convert, dress accordingly, and pray at the appointed hours? Wait, before you cast this aside as mere rhetoric, let's look at both side of the coin, or in this case the Koran.
The question is what's the harm in our children learning about other religions? I suppose it's all in how you view it. You can choose to view it as the school teaching tolerance of others by learning of their religious beliefs and foundations or you may choose to see it, as it seems these parents have, as their children being forced fed a religion that goes against their very religious foundation. It's all in your perception, and as the saying goes, "Ones perception is their reality."
So what is the reality or truth behind learning to understand the religion of others? Isn't it a good thing to expand the minds of our little sponges? Wouldn't it be a great for them to understand other's religious beliefs in an effort to better understand the people as a whole and to dispel any sub conscience discrimination we may have? Why is it being viewed as being forced fed a foreign religion?
Ummmm...Hold On...Wait...Being forced fed a foreign religion sounds quite familiar, especially to our African American ancestors who was bounded in slavery. These slaves was forced to deny their foundation, identity, and religion to dawn the foreign one that was forced upon them!!
I digress! As for me, I ABSOLUTELY support our children learning about other religions for two very important reasons. First, I'm very secure in the religious teachings that my children has and currently receive which has built a strong foundation. So strong that learning about other religions are no threat to it. Secondly, this education, if taught correctly, can help repair and build tolerance of other religions that they are exposed to on a daily basis. From PreK to 12, why not? It's taught in college where they have a choice to study it. If they chose to do so, what will your recourse be then? The idea of separating church from state went out the window long ago. Which that in itself was ludicrous because where do you think they held school in the early years???? In a CHURCH!!!!
I get it! Some of the "offended" parents argue that Christianity isn't being taught, that the children are not learning the 10 commandments. Who's to blame for that? When you start to take prayer out of schools the rest was sure to follow. They don't even want you to pray at football games!!! Really??? If we would focus as much energy to fight for God to be put back in school as much as we fight for schools to not teach other religions, we wouldn't have so much hell to go through in the education system.
We have to stop teaching our children separation based on differences! Teach tolerance of them instead and yes learn of other religions to help you understand the person. It's not about being converted from one religion to another. Take for example of the recent Papal visit. I can safely say all those that was waiting to see and shake his hand was not Catholic. He wasn't here to convert the Americans. So I promise you, concerned parents, that the teachings of the school district in Georgia is not trying to convert your children, they have taken the brave step to teach tolerance in an intolerable world.
I suppose tolerance must first be taught at home. As Christians, isn't tolerance of other's beliefs part of the Christian foundation. You can't reach anyone for Christ going in full throttle about how wrong their beliefs are. Alas, it's all in one's perception. I can only pray that we, as parents, be it Muslims, Christians, Buddhist, Catholic, or otherwise, allow our little sponges to soak up as much education as possible regarding all religions without fear that the foundation that we, as parents, have built can't and won't be disturbed because it was built on firm ground and not sand!
Blessings!
L
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