Wellesley, Massachusetts Public School Students Learn to Pray to Allah

[Shady]

This is pretty bizarre. Especially considering this is a public school.

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

I found the most troubling part of the video to be when they seperated the female students from the male students. So that the male students could participate in the afternoon prayers. Seriously, what the hell is going on?

[Smallc]

Do we know what class they were in? Do we know what other places of worship they took field trips to? Unless we know that, I can't really say if it's actually bizarre.

Edited September 17, 2010 by Smallc

[Guest American Woman]

The [field] trip was part of a social studies course, "Enduring Beliefs in the World Today," and also included trips to a synagogue, a gospel musical performance, and a meeting with Hindu religious leaders, Wong told the Globe. link

The prayer was strictly voluntary, so it was the students' choice to pray; still, the Superintendent of the school system apologized to parents who were upset after seeing the video and said that letting the students participate in the service was a mistake. I agree with him. They should have just been observers.

[dre]

Seems relatively innocent to me. My guess is the people who find problems with this will be the ones that look the hardest, and want to find them.

[Shady]

I agree with him. They should have just been observers.

That's how I feel too. Also, if it's about education, perhaps they should attend events in which the boys AND the girls can observe everything.

[Guest American Woman]

That's how I feel too. Also, if it's about education, perhaps they should attend events in which the boys AND the girls can observe everything.

Truth be told, they were observing what it's like in too many mosques. So in that sense, they were observing everything.

[Shady]

Truth be told, they were observing what it's like in too many mosques. So in that sense, they were observing everything.

Great point.

That actually brought to mind possibly the most ironic part of the video. At one point, the students are told how under Islam, women have the same rights as men. However, a short time later, the girls are told to leave the room, so that the boys can observe and participate in the afteroon prayers. You couldn't make this stuff up!

[GostHacked]

Did those kids take part in prayers in the Synagogue or Church during that field trip?

If so, then there is no problem.

The kids willingly volunteered and took part in the prayers?

If so, then there is no problem.

[Guest American Woman]

Did those kids take part in prayers in the Synagogue or Church during that field trip?

If so, then there is no problem.

Apparently not. Stands to reason that the Superintendent of schools would have said that they took part in prayers/services in the synagogue or church if they had, and apologized for all of it.

But if they had, that would hardly mean "no problem," as that would have been a problem too.

The kids willingly volunteered and took part in the prayers?

If so, then there is no problem.

The children were sixth graders; minors. Some things are up to parents, and participating in religious services is one of those things. Children cannot just "willingly volunteer" to take part in whatever they'd like, which is why there's such a thing as permission forms to be signed by parents.

[Shady]

AW pretty much nailed it. Also...

The kids willingly volunteered and took part in the prayers?

No, only the boys participated, not the girls. They were told to leave.

[Guest American Woman]

No, only the boys participated, not the girls. They were told to leave.

Which would have pretty much cancelled out the "women have the same rights as men under Islam" portion of the field trip.....

[GostHacked]

Apparently not. Stands to reason that the Superintendent of schools would have said that they took part in prayers/services in the synagogue or church if they had, and apologized for all of it.

But if they had, that would hardly mean "no problem," as that would have been a problem too.

The children were sixth graders; minors. Some things are up to parents, and participating in religious services is one of those things. Children cannot just "willingly volunteer" to take part in whatever they'd like, which is why there's such a thing as permission forms to be signed by parents.

Then why is it the Mosque's fault and NOT the Teachers and or parents fault for allowing them to willingly participate?

[Shady]

Then why is it the Mosque's fault and NOT the Teachers and or parents fault for allowing them to willingly participate?

I'm not sure that anyone here has blamed the mosque. But it doesn't suprise me that you've got your back up, defending once again, all things Islam.

[bud]

someone call the waaaaaambulance for shady! he is outraged that caucasians are interacting and learning about muslims.

[Michael Hardner]

Whatever... religion discriminates against the sexes... news flash. They could have gone to a Catholic Church and asked to meet the lady priest.

This trip shouldn't have happened as it did, though I don't know if it warrants a professionally produced 10 minute video, rather than just a complaint to the school.

[dre]

Whatever... religion discriminates against the sexes... news flash. They could have gone to a Catholic Church and asked to meet the lady priest.

This trip shouldn't have happened as it did, though I don't know if it warrants a professionally produced 10 minute video, rather than just a complaint to the school.

I would actually like to see this expanded. There should be a religious studies class, where children can learn about the history religion, and all its various forms, from ancient polytheism and pagan religions to the more modern mono-theistic sky-god, right up to the 3 major Abrahamic religions, and then more generally what it is that makes humans have such a strong disposition towards being religious.

I would be fine with it including field trips like this to various places of worship and religious interest. Id also be fine with the students participating in various sky-god rituals but Id probably get parents to sign a waiver now that I see how some people have reacted to this.

[Michael Hardner]

I would actually like to see this expanded. There should be a religious studies class, where children can learn about the history religion, and all its various forms, from ancient polytheism and pagan religions to the more modern mono-theistic sky-god, right up to the 3 major Abrahamic religions, and then more generally what it is that makes humans have such a strong disposition towards being religious.

There probably already is a class like that.

I would be fine with it including field trips like this to various places of worship and religious interest. Id also be fine with the students participating in various sky-god rituals but Id probably get parents to sign a waiver now that I see how some people have reacted to this.

Sure. And an iPhone class too.

[dre]

I would actually like to see this expanded. There should be a religious studies class, where children can learn about the history religion, and all its various forms, from ancient polytheism and pagan religions to the more modern mono-theistic sky-god, right up to the 3 major Abrahamic religions, and then more generally what it is that makes humans have such a strong disposition towards being religious.

I would be fine with it including field trips like this to various places of worship and religious interest. Id also be fine with the students participating in various sky-god rituals but Id probably get parents to sign a waiver now that I see how some people have reacted to this.

There probably already is a class like that.

I never had an option that was quite like that. There was a "bible studies" class but it was Jesus-based. I want something that gets kids to take an honest look at all religions, and studies religion as a "phenomenon", and talks about what is empirically known about it. Id like to see it include study on "what is a doctrine, and how is it spread" and that type of thing.

Im not talking really about a theistic endevour here, but more the study of religion and doctrinal beliefs from an objective and historical stand-point. I think it would be helpfull for us to understand each other better in that way.

[Shady]

Whatever... religion discriminates against the sexes... news flash. They could have gone to a Catholic Church and asked to meet the lady priest.

The Catholic Church doesn't have women preists because the Church is based on Jesus, and his apostles. All of whom were men. It's not because women are inferior. If you know anything about Catholicism, Mary is one of the most revered figures in its teachings.

There should be a religious studies class, where children can learn about the history religion

There are such classes. Usually in highschool. At least there is in the Catholic school board. Not sure about the Public school system. They're pretty strict about teaching religion. Except of course Islam, which seems to get a pass. Gee, I wonder why?

[Melanie_]

I never had an option that was quite like that. There was a "bible studies" class but it was Jesus-based. I want something that gets kids to take an honest look at all religions, and studies religion as a "phenomenon", and talks about what is empirically known about it. Id like to see it include study on "what is a doctrine, and how is it spread" and that type of thing.

Im not talking really about a theistic endevour here, but more the study of religion and doctrinal beliefs from an objective and historical stand-point. I think it would be helpfull for us to understand each other better in that way.

I agree, Dre. It would be helpful if people understood religions a bit better, rather than believing what the media says (usually sensationalized). It would also help them understand the role religion has played in forming various societies, and how it continues to influence even secular societies in subtle and not so subtle ways today. I'd also like this class to explore what it means to be atheist, humanist, agnostic....

I don't really have a problem with the fact that they seperated the girls and boys here. If we want children to see an honest portrayal of any religion, we have to show it to them as it is. In Islam, men and women worship seperately... that doesn't change for a school field trip. Many people might not like that aspect of Islam, but not liking it doesn't mean it isn't there.

[Michael Hardner]

I never had an option that was quite like that. There was a "bible studies" class but it was Jesus-based. I want something that gets kids to take an honest look at all religions, and studies religion as a "phenomenon", and talks about what is empirically known about it. Id like to see it include study on "what is a doctrine, and how is it spread" and that type of thing.

Im not talking really about a theistic endevour here, but more the study of religion and doctrinal beliefs from an objective and historical stand-point. I think it would be helpfull for us to understand each other better in that way.

Well, yeah. I went to a Catholic high school in a small Canadian town in the 1970s, and we had a course that covered that.

Not really much of a stretch to offer that.

[dre]

Well, yeah. I went to a Catholic high school in a small Canadian town in the 1970s, and we had a course that covered that.

Not really much of a stretch to offer that.

Yup, its just a little bit more important now. We face a real danger I think not from any one religion but from the hardliners on their side and the hardliners on our side goading everyone else into a never ending culture war or worse. If theres a knowledge vacuum then its really easy for those guys to manipulate that and fill it with their bullshit.

You could guard against this using education maybe...

[Shakeyhands]

I found the most troubling part of the video to be when they seperated the female students from the male students. So that the male students could participate in the afternoon prayers. Seriously, what the hell is going on?

Sounds just like a synagogue to me....

[bud]

Not sure about the Public school system. They're pretty strict about teaching religion. Except of course Islam, which seems to get a pass. Gee, I wonder why?

lol

some of your comments remind me of some of the comments stephen colbert makes. the sad thing is that he is joking but you're not.

[Shady]

We face a real danger I think not from any one religion

Of course you don't think it's from any one religion. You'd have to use your brain, and open your eyes to reality. And that would mean you'd have to *gasp* judge. And your leftwing, politically correct, white guilted mind would explode.