ISLAM PROPAGANDA THRUST ON AMERICAN INNOCENTS!

[Wilder]

Got you're attention now? I thought about about "FREE BEER" as a title, but unfortunately it isn't as apropos to the subject at hand.

I recently did a Google search of "under taught history" with the hope of gleaning some opinions on important history that I don't know (yes, I know I'm a nerd, I am as god made me). Actually, I was hoping to learn a bit about the northern crusades, of which information seems remarkably scarce, but I'm sidetracking myself...

Here's the thing, the first page that comes up is this, which is an article proclaiming that public schools in Oregon are teaching "Islamic values":

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

BRAVE NEW SCHOOLS
Muslim religion taught under guise of history
'Students perform skits about the tenets of Islam belief'


Posted: September 20, 2007
1:00 am Eastern



By Bob Unruh
© 2008 WorldNetDaily.com



The "Five Pillars" of Islam – [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]charity[/color][/color], fasting, prayer, belief and pilgrimage – are being taught to public [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]school[/color][/color] students in Nyssa, Ore., under the guise of world [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]history[/color][/color], the school has confirmed to WND, even though a parent raised a complaint about the same teachings a year ago.
In a letter to parents following the concerns that were raised at that point, Supt. Don Grotting and other school officials told parents that the text called "Journey Across Time" features a chapter on "Islamic Civilizations."
As part of that, "class activities have included guest speakers (including an American soldier serving in Iraq and a practicing Muslim woman who is an American citizen living in Mountain Home) who talked about geography, dress, climate, religion, economy and culture and student skits, in which students prepare and perform three- to five-minute skits about the tenets of Islam belief: charity, fasting, prayer, belief, and pilgrimage."
Janine Weeks, the [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]curriculum[/color][/color] director at the school, this week told WND that the curriculum, and class activities, are continuing. "We've not made any changes," she said. "The content standards require that we present information about the rise of Islam in the context of world history."

She said there are "choices" about the way students can respond to the chapter's requirements. "Perhaps one of the items might be the fact that there is a religious journey that is part of the belief system; the kids can present that in a report," she said.
However, she said she was unaware of what requirements there were for presenting the basic beliefs of any other religion, including Christianity, to students.
The McGraw-Hill book itself, according to its online outline, heavily emphasizes the positive aspects of Islam.
"Muslims were successful merchants, in part because they had a common language and a common currency. Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus grew wealthy from trade and became important centers of learning, government, and the arts. The cities featured mosques that served as Muslim houses of worship and centers of learning. The bazaar was a very important part of the Muslim city. Although Muslims enjoyed great success and cities grew, most Muslims lived in villages and farmed," the book says.
"Muslims made valuable contributions in [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]math[/color][/color], science, and the arts. Muslim scholars saved and translated the works of the ancient [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Greeks[/color][/color] and Romans. Muslims are well known for their beautiful buildings. The Taj Mahal, which is made of marble and precious stone, is one of the world's most beautiful buildings," it says.
Meanwhile, in its chapter on Christianity, it notes that Christianity "attracted many followers because it gave meaning to people's lives, appealed to their emotions, and promised happiness after death."
It goes on to talk about the schism between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church that still exists.
For a student exercise, it suggests students study the American Red Cross.
In its chapter on Judaism, the book notes "the 12 tribes of Israel often quarreled, so they asked a prophet to choose a king to unite them against their enemies." Then, after World War II, "Palestine was divided into a Jewish nation called Israel."
The parent who raised the concerns a year ago, Kendalee Garner, was contacted and told WND that essentially Christianity and Judaism are not being taught. "They teach the history of Hinduism but not the tenets of its faith," she said.
"When I asked the teacher today if they were changing the curriculum she replied there is nothing we need to change," she said.
Idalia Stam, the chair of the school board, confirmed the same teaching curriculum was being used, but declined further comment on the issue.
A lawyer who has argued over such teachings in a case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court said the procedures wouldn't last 10 seconds in a public school if Christianity were being addressed.
"Would it have been 'just cultural education' if students were in simulated baptisms, wearing a crucifix, having taken the name of St. John and with praise banners saying 'Praise be to Jesus Christ' on classroom walls?" Edward White III, of the Thomas More Law Center, told WND earlier.
As WND has reported the case White handled was almost a duplicate. Teachers were having students memorize Islamic prayers, wear Islamic dress and learn to behave as a Muslim under the guise of studying history.
Some parents objected and their resulting lawsuit was turned back by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals where the opinion called it "cultural [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]education[/color][/color]."
The presence of such Islamic teachings is because "organized Islamists have gained control of textbook content," according to an organization that analyzes textbooks.
The American Textbook Council has concluded that the situation is the consequence of "the interplay of determined Islamic political activists, textbook editors, and multiculturally minded social studies curriculum planners."
It has gone so far that correcting the situation now becomes a problem, because "[COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]educational[/color][/color] publishers and educational organizations have bought into claims propounded by Islamists – and have themselves become agents of misinformation." That comes from Gilbert T. Sewall, who not only wrote the organization's report on Islam and textbooks, but also generated a response to the flood of criticism he encountered.

Now, there are a few nitpicky points that I agree with the article writer about (i.e. that the Taj Mahal is a beautiful building is an opinion, not a fact), but I couldn't help put be a bit angered by his obtuseness, and not just the fact that he abbreviated Oregon incorrectly. I am from Oregon and also was taught the history and some of the cultural tenets of Islam in high school, but the whole tone of the the article was, well, wrong. So what, if we learn about Islamic stuff? In the same couple of months that they taught us about that we also learned (in equal measure, if not more) about Judaism and Christianity. Is Islam so evil that it poses a danger to even learn about it?

Really?

And then some other things struck me. First, I am from Portland, Oregon, which is, admittedly the opposite end of the state than Nyssa, as well being different in size, demographics, and political makeup, but that doesn't change the fact that all Oregon schools are subject to the same curriculum regulation. So why on earth did Mr. Unruh not mention that and why did he paint the picture that this was endemic to Nyssa?

Then I continued to the part where he laments that the textbooks claim that Muslims have made advancements in science (gasp!); Which, lets face it, is true.

I'm an atheist, and have no real fondness for Islam, but the recent Conservative cries of "our kids are learning multiculturalism" have been ringing increasingly stale. After all, if other cultures exist, and school is meant to teach us, what's the problem? It's a bit like saying that teaching evolution is dangerous because it might make people question god. This is laughable not because it is probably not true, but because in the land of academia, and IMHO, life, their is no higher purpose then truth. If a certain knowledge leads us to make us act like monkeys, or use drugs, or defect to Al qaeda, or even, god forbid, watch MTV, so be it.

anywhoo, your thoughts?:hmmm:


PS, I will concede the point that facts about religions are ideally taught in anthropology and not history but you have to remember classes like that don't exist in most places.

[Burnum]

(33) It is He who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may uplift it above every religion, though the unbelievers be averse.


[2.90] Evil is that for which they have sold their souls-- that they should deny what Allah has revealed, out of envy that Allah should send down of His grace on whomsoever of His servants He pleases; so they have made themselves deserving of wrath upon wrath, and there is a disgraceful punishment for the unbelievers.

[4.151] These it is that are truly unbelievers, and We have prepared for the unbelievers a disgraceful chastisement.

[8.18] This, and that Allah is the weakener of the struggle of the unbelievers.

(It's world Net Daily, you kinda expect it.)

What do you want to tell us, Burnum? :hmmm:

I guess, I didn't use enough of these.

[Deep_Red]

(33) It is He who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may uplift it above every religion, though the unbelievers be averse.


[2.90] Evil is that for which they have sold their souls-- that they should deny what Allah has revealed, out of envy that Allah should send down of His grace on whomsoever of His servants He pleases; so they have made themselves deserving of wrath upon wrath, and there is a disgraceful punishment for the unbelievers.

[4.151] These it is that are truly unbelievers, and We have prepared for the unbelievers a disgraceful chastisement.

[8.18] This, and that Allah is the weakener of the struggle of the unbelievers.

What do you want to tell us, Burnum? :hmmm:

[Wilder]

Burnum, wait...



what?

I hope I'm not being thick, but could you flesh out your point a little? Are you agreeing with me? Did you read my post or just the title? Are you mocking me?

I'm so confused....

[eddy_purpus]

Ill first kill myself before any islamic run the world.

[Heinz Guderian]

Ill first kill myself before any islamic run the world.

its "before" right now. you made an internet promise^

[Deep_Red]

I agree with you, Wilder.
Islam is a religion like any other and has to be taught and handled the same.
Let´s wait for Burnum´s next comment, though

[Wilder]

I agree with you, Wilder.
Islam is a religion like any other and has to be taught and handled the same.
Let´s wait for Burnum´s next comment, though

hehe, yes, let's...

[Burnum]

I hope I'm not being thick, but could you flesh out your point a little?

It was a making a joke, your WND article is a little tame.

Are you agreeing with me?

Yes, I am.

Did you read my post or just the title? A

I read it. +rep.

Edit: I do actually believe that Islam will dominate the world.

[Freddie]

It was a making a joke, your WND article is a little tame.

Yes, I am.

I read it. +rep.

Edit: I do actually believe that Islam will dominate the world.

I don't know about dominating the world but certainly Islamic numbers will eventually over take Christian numbers as birth rates in Islamic countries are higher then those in Christian countries.

[Dr. Croccer]

I don't know about dominating the world but certainly Islamic numbers will eventually over take Christian numbers as birth rates in Islamic countries are higher then those in Christian countries.

That's what they said about Europe 200 years ago, towns grew to huge cities within years. Proletariat bred like rabbits just to increase income. If you were to re-emigrate all the European immigrants that left Europe, then there wouldn't be enough space. Increase in standars of living, war, immigration and modernization stopped it. It wouldn't surprise me if the same happens to the Muslim world over a hundred years, as it has happened 100 year ago in Europe and now in Asia.

[The Cobra]

That's what they said about Europe 200 years ago, towns grew to huge cities within years. Proletariat bred like rabbits just to increase income. If you were to re-emigrate all the European immigrants that left Europe, then there wouldn't be enough space. Increase in standars of living, war, immigration and modernization stopped it. It wouldn't surprise me if the same happens to the Muslim world over a hundred years, as it has happened 100 year ago in Europe and now in Asia.

The statistics about Muslim numbers are like for the next 10 years. not 200 .

[Mikelus Trento]

It was a making a joke, your WND article is a little tame.

Yes, I am.

I read it. +rep.

Edit: I do actually believe that Islam will dominate the world.

I will tell you one good reason why it won't.....women.

[Ahlerich]

in a world were the word muslim is in nearly every days news somewhere it is important to at least know the basics about it. if you dont you cant form a opinion and rely on somebody else doing that for you. freedom of opinion/speech without knowledge is the right to remain stupid ,-)
i recently got very interested in it because i had only very supperficial knowledge about it.
the 5 pillars of islam, general values of it and mainly its history is intersting and should be known by todays generations christians or atheists alike i think. so its a great move of that school. they are going with the time.

that the islamic spain had jews christians and muslims translating science and philosophy from arabic to latin, a language every european scholar understood even influenced rennaissance. even the mere fact that it was a functioning muliculturism state for 700 years is important to know.
that women are given the right to vote in quran (~1400 years before it happened in europe), that covering your body as a women comes from tribal traditions not from the quaran etc.
there are many things the average person should know about quran and muslims before they judge them of form a opinion about that religion.
so again, cool move of the school. they are going with the time and are not running after time.

if you know enough facts you easily disguise the one who blames terrorism on islam. this ability is so important in these days of propaganda. this also should make clear why some conservatives dont like people to know that.
teaching islam in school is basically like translating the bible from latin to german. and some christians should know how unpopular that was by those in power. all of a sudden everybody can read and form his/her own opinion.

when mohammed (peace be on him) was at the kaaba he removed all the tribal god symbols of the several arabic tribes and got rid of the merchants (just like jesus christ in the temple) he also found a symbol of a virgin with a baby and said leave this one. at least christins should know and love that.

[dogukan]

My friend went to Oregon this year(from Turkey) and studied there in highschool for a year.
He is an ateist. He went there and he was sick of the religiousness of people, he said it's not even like that in Turkey. I haven't read the article but I saw you saying I'm from Oregon. So you might be a religious person with Islamphobia.

[mongrel]

Pah, I studied Classics at school, by Jove. Oddly enough I am still a Christian. I wear Nike, not worship her. Can't see the problem with schools teaching overviews of any religion, they are part of the human experience.

[Hansa]

I learnt about the 5 pillars of Islam in religion in school, I also learned of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and what not. The reason for this was to educate us in other religions, not to convert us to the teachings of Muhammad, Buddha or Manitu, a lot of fuzz over nothing this, but you will probably find this sort of omg: they are converting us to Islam! nonsense from small European groups as well.

As for the Northern Crusades you should not search the internet for reliable info. However you should probably search for books on the internet, and although I am no expert on the subject I know that the Danes have done a lot of excellent work on the subject. If you Google the names; Eric Christiansen and/or Kurt Villands Jensen you should find some interesting titles in English. I believe Eric Christiansen; The Northern Crusades (1997)is more or less considered the standard work on the subject. If you are interested in the origins of Crusading in the North, Jonathan Phillips uses quite a bit of space on the Vendish Crusade in his brilliant book The Second Crusade: Extending the Frontiers of Christendom (2007)

[The Cobra]

People must not learn about Islam, it's the devil's work. it's blasphemous, burn those who teach Islam...Burn the Heretics.

[Gary88]

i learnt about the pilars of Islam in school, in RE not History but then we didn't cover the relevant period of history. quite frankly i'm impressed a school brings in such a varied bunch of speakers for their school, most wouldn't.

[Chuffy]

I do find it odd that a History lesson/book would go into detail about the Five Pillars, I learned that stuff in RE.

In History we learned how ing rational the Ottomans were compared to the insane Spanish.

OH NOES ISLAM IS TAKING OVERRRR