What exactly was offensive in the book? The article isn’t very clear, except that the kid was ‘learning about Mohammed’, which quite frankly is to be expected in a medieval history course, since Mohammed and the rise of Islam played a crucial part in that time period.
from the article:
“Self stopped to gather herself several times during her statement, in which she said the book’s description of the Crusades and its definition of several Islamic terms, including “Jihad” and “Shari’ah” are incorrect.”
...................
also
“I don’t think we would have an issue about it if (it wasn’t so) in-depth,” said Jim Self, who fought in Iraq as a Marine from 2003 to 2004.
Among the Selfs’ concerns about the textbook is its definition of the word “jihad,” which is described in the book as “the human struggle to overcome difficulties and do things that would be pleasing to God.”
Other concerns stem from a passage on page 86 of the textbook, which quotes the angel Gabriel’s words to the Prophet Muhammad.
The Selfs said the textbook mentioned Jesus only twice, and other major religions were only given a paragraph of explanation.
One of the Selfs’ biggest concerns, though, is that such detailed explanation of Islam is a violation of the separation of church and state.”
http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2007/10/30/news/2_textbook_071030.txt
I am not sure anyone was offended. The text was inaccurate was the complaint. It was revisionist history that painted Western Civilization as Crusading murderers. I think learning about Mahomet can wait till high school, when students are mature enough to hear the true story of Mahomet.
I wouldn't mind if the would spend an equal amount of time on how Jesus and Christians impacted the world in the first century (during a history class covering that time period, of course). The class would, of course, have to include the lessons on Christian beliefs themselves, same as they are doing with Islam.
I am curious about how the Crusades are portrayed in this class, however. Do they bother to mention that the Crusades were launched in response to the Muslim violence in Europe? I would be willing to bet the answer is no.