Posted on 01/24/2008 10:08:26 AM PST by Kaslin
A children’s story based on the tale of the Three Little Pigs was rejected for an award after judges became concerned that it would offend Muslims.
The animated virtual book for primary school children, The Three Little Cowboy Builders, was also criticised for its potential to offend builders.
The row centred on the Bett awards, which were supported by Becta, the Government’s technology agency for schools. The judges’ remarks, reported on the education technology website Merlin John Online, included: “Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work blown down, and builders are like pigs?
“The idea of taking a traditional tale and retelling a story is fine, but it should not alienate parts of the workforce. Judges would not recommend this product to the Muslim community in particular.”
Ann Curtis, whose company, Shoo Fly Publishing, produced the CD-Rom, said the criticisms were unjustified and could even “propagate a racist stance”. She said: “I felt disbelief, to be honest. As a small company, we have a strong ethical and moral grounding. We support the rights of all children in the world to have access to education.
“To be told that we cynically set out to alienate minority groups is a very narrow-minded view.” She said the group had had messages of support from the local community, including Muslims. The book had already won an award in a separate competition.
But the Bett award’s backers — Becta, the Besa trade association and Emap Education — said that the book was rejected for a range of reasons. In a joint statement, they said: “The reason The Three Little Cowboy Builders was not shortlisted was that it failed to reach the required standard across a number of criteria. The . . . issues highlighted were a small selection from a much broader range of comments.
“In particular, the product was not sufficiently convincing on curriculum and innovation grounds to be shortlisted.”
The statement said the competition aimed to “reward inclusive and accessible designs” and was judged by a panel of 70 people, including many teachers.
Give it another year then we can just write off the UK.
Guess they would not approve of my female dog mohammed, either.
is this what they’re huffing and puffing about now?
As a Texan, now I'm offended.
Beheadings offend me. So there.
Prime Minister John Howard - Australia
"Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks."
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.' "
' This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society Learn the language!'
' Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
' We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'
' This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, ' THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'
' If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'
Just change the endings to have the wolf strapped with explosives and saying, “I’ll huff...and I’ll puff...and I’ll blowwwww...your buildings up!”.
Then they’ll approve it as a wholesome message suitable for Muslims.
Yeah! NOTHING in Texas is “Little”!.....
LOL!
Do you remember when the evangelicals led a crusade against He-Man figures and other children’s toys and books that they claimed contained references to witchcraft or devil worship? The courts never supported their efforts at censorship, thank goodness.
Who gives a damn..........
Just change it to ‘The Three Stinking Jews’ and the mussies will be fine with it. Jews are pigs after all right?
I won’t eat cauliflower, but I don’t find Veggie Tales offensive.
Every time we knuckle under and acquiesce to these miscreants, we lose a little ground. We’d best stand up to these people if we value the liberty of those who come after us.
God Bless John Howard.....I wish some of our politicians would have him as a mentor or speech writer.
Well P & G certainly fund “satanic” activities.
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