California school sued over Islamic drills

Washington Times ^ | 7/10/02 | Ellen Sorokin

[kattracks]

A group of parents in California is suing a local public school district where at least one middle school, after September 11, encouraged students to wear Muslim robes, adopt Islamic names and stage make-believe pilgrimages to Mecca to learn about the faith.

[SkyPilot]

Well, school children are allowed to pray to Christ, sing Christmas carols, wear Christian symbols............

Oh sorry, that is not allowed.

[doglot]

"Two families did choose to keep their children out, Mrs. Green said. These families are not the ones suing the school district."

Wanna bet these children don't pay for their parent's good sense?

[nightdriver]

"We teach about all major religions, and this unit in question was just one of many. The allegations in the lawsuit don't accurately reflect what was going on in the classroom."

I'll just bet! Of course they can duck the so-called establishment clause on "separation of Church and State" by simply claiming that islam is not the Church. Only Christianity is the Church, therefore, they can indoctrinate all the islam they want.

I'd like to see if they teach the ten commandmants with the same fervor. The chapter on Christiamity is sadly lacking in modern World History textbooks.

[Travis McGee]

This was a huge story in SoCal last fall, and don't worry, the students did learn a little about Christianity in the middle ages. Not much, but a little.

You know, greedy Bishops, bloodthirsty Crusaders, the Inquisition. All the high points to give the students balance with Islam, the "religion of peace and learning".

[Maceman]

Of course they can duck the so-called establishment clause on "separation of Church and State"

There is no establishment clause on "separation of Church and State."

[jaq]

She also said that all parents in the Excelsior class had the option to pull their children out if they felt uncomfortable with the material.

Gosh, where's the outrage that these children should have to leave the classroom and thus, be singled out for embarassment? Remember the argument concerning the child who shouldn't have to leave the room when the Pledge is being said because it's too tramatic?

In our school system, if you don't like the class and you opt your child out, they sit in the hallway. Of course, that's okay if it's a child of a conservative parent.

[Publius6961]

If it was anybody but the numbnuts at the Thomas More center, I'd be hopeful on the outcome - but those idiots will blow their own toes off.

For those of us ignorant about the Center, would you care to elaborate?
Perhaps others should join in the suit as amici curiae?

[antienvironmentalist]

I wonder if they taught the children how to apply for flight school also. Seems innocent enough to me. {sarcasm off}

[Destructor]

Liberals are showing their true face again by actively promoting the religion of the enemies of America! Basically, Liberals are for anyone who is against America.

[Alouette]

The students learned about the Five Pillars of Islam, she said, only because the state of California mandates that all seventh-graders learn them.

California law requires this but forbids the Ten Commandments?

BTW what are the "Five Pillars of Islam." Killing Infidels has to be one. What are the other four?

[Catspaw]

I hope they're on a more solid legal ground with this lawsuit--if not, they're doomed, doomed as doomed can be. Other lawsuits have been brought on something akin to warm jello, and may well have put their clients in legal and financial jeopardy.

I'd like to see a copy of the pleadings. I'm just picky that way.

[Catspaw]

This is an excellent ACLU case. If the Thomas More Center worked with the very experienced 1st Amendment lawyers at the ACLU, I'd say this case was very winnable.