Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

cshell63

iVillage Member

Registered: 01-22-2000

164	Thu, 09-16-2010 - 11:37am

Public middle schoolers in Massachusetts taken on a field trip to a mosque. They are taught some of the history of Islam, apparently mistaken history. Then the group is separated at prayer time. I guess only males allowed in the room at prayer time(?). Middle school boys were apparently asked to participate in prostrating themselves and participating in the prayer away from their classmates and teachers.

Here is a vid of this...it is 10 mins in length.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7-I9Qp3d4Y&feature=player_embedded

Your thoughts?

Sonny

Signatures On

shannon_fannon

iVillage Member

Registered: 10-28-2009

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 11:42am

Do you have something from an actual news source regarding this story? I'm not interested in spending 10 minutes watching a slanted video. Thanks.

mambittsey

iVillage Member

Registered: 09-01-2010

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 11:47am

I wonder what their parents were thinking when signing those field trip permission slips. I think it is important for children to learn about all sorts of religions as it opens their mind. Participating in actual prayer with those religions probably shouldn't be part of the process. I wonder if the students were asked or told to participate (biiiig difference, IMHO). And I wonder what you consider to have been the "mistaken" history that was taught. Weren't teachers present to correct errors? If so, why weren't teachers present, and why would teachers not later correct "mistaken" history for their students?

~Opal~

zabugle

iVillage Member

Registered: 10-30-2003

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 11:47am

I'm having trouble finding anything from a news source without a heavy bias.

Anne

I have no need for anger
With intimate strangers
And I got nothing to hide

- Amy Ray

I have no need for anger
With intimate strangers
And I got nothing to hide

- Amy Ray

shannon_fannon

iVillage Member

Registered: 10-28-2009

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 11:52am

I haven't been able to find anything from *any* news source. It's all blogs.

zabugle

iVillage Member

Registered: 10-30-2003

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 11:54am

I think visiting and even participating in worship is an excellent way to learn about other faiths. The 6-7th grade curriculum at my church is entirely built around these kind of field trips. That's an appropriate environment. Public school - not so much. I await more details on this incident.

Anne

I have no need for anger
With intimate strangers
And I got nothing to hide

- Amy Ray

I have no need for anger
With intimate strangers
And I got nothing to hide

- Amy Ray

cshell63

iVillage Member

Registered: 01-22-2000

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 11:57am

...but you dont mind spending 10 mins to read a biased opinion piece and then

zabugle

iVillage Member

Registered: 10-30-2003

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 11:57am

There's this, but it's clearly not objective journalism

Anne

I have no need for anger
With intimate strangers
And I got nothing to hide

- Amy Ray

I have no need for anger
With intimate strangers
And I got nothing to hide

- Amy Ray

zabugle

iVillage Member

Registered: 10-30-2003

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 11:59am

...but you dont mind spending 10 mins to read a biased opinion piece and then rendering an opinion?

What are you referring to?

Anne

I have no need for anger
With intimate strangers
And I got nothing to hide

- Amy Ray

I have no need for anger
With intimate strangers
And I got nothing to hide

- Amy Ray

cshell63

iVillage Member

Registered: 01-22-2000

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 12:05pm

I wonder about parents and permission slips, too. I agree that it is important to learn about all sorts of religions. I dont know what I would have done. I do know that if I had signed it I would have gone along, or Shell would have.

I am a little surprised to read from you "Participating in actual prayer with those religions probably shouldn't be part of the process. I wonder if the students were asked or told to participate (biiiig difference, IMHO)."

Do you really only think participating in prayer PROBABLY shoudnt be a part of it???

As for the mistaken history, the video made a point of refuting the islamic presenter who said that women had freedoms earlier than American culture...that they were allowed a "vote", as early as the 700's a.d.

Thanks for your post and your thoughts.

Sonny

cl_miyaka2007

iVillage Member

Registered: 10-15-2008

In reply to: cshell63

Public School kids-fieldtrip 2 a mosque

Thu, 09-16-2010 - 12:05pm

If this is indeed true..it should not have happened. Public schools should not be promoting any religion via field trips. Islam, Christian, or any other one.
I would not have allowed my child to go, I feel very strongly that public schools have no business dabbling in religion, any of them.
If parents want a religious schooling process for their children there are many fine private schools that will do just that.