So this happened just down the road from me in VA. The over-reaction is stunning. It's a little unclear what the class or assignment was from this CNN report, but apparently there was a "Calligraphy" study that included arabic text, the text being an islamic statement of faith (...there is one god, Allah....).
It was sent home as homework for the students, and the outrage was swift and strong. Here's the thing, if it was a world religion class or a social studies class, then there's nothing wrong with learning what different religions believe, and if it was Islam's turn, then great! If indeed this was a "calligraphy" assignment, then it shouldn't be taught using an Islamic statement of faith, it could be almost anything, doesn't need to be that.
In any case, the other sad part is school officials closed schools in the entire county for fear someone would retaliate.
Worst of all, it shows that our country is SO DIVIDED, that differing political/religious views and sensitivities actually caused thousands of kids to miss school today. This is not the America we want.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/18/us/virginia-school-shut-islam-homework/index.html
It was sent home as homework for the students, and the outrage was swift and strong. Here's the thing, if it was a world religion class or a social studies class, then there's nothing wrong with learning what different religions believe, and if it was Islam's turn, then great! If indeed this was a "calligraphy" assignment, then it shouldn't be taught using an Islamic statement of faith, it could be almost anything, doesn't need to be that.
In any case, the other sad part is school officials closed schools in the entire county for fear someone would retaliate.
Worst of all, it shows that our country is SO DIVIDED, that differing political/religious views and sensitivities actually caused thousands of kids to miss school today. This is not the America we want.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/18/us/virginia-school-shut-islam-homework/index.html
