There's Only One Response To This

Heard this on the radio on the way home and see Michelle and others already covered it. It's what makes it so critical that liberals never be allowed to mess with this. There's only so much of this nonsense that should be tolerated. And if the government can't deal with it, eventually the people should and will.

In our brave new schools, Johnny can't say the pledge, but he can recite the Quran. Yup, the same court that found the phrase "under God" unconstitutional now endorses Islamic catechism in public school.

In a recent federal decision that got surprisingly little press, even from conservative talk radio, California's 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled it's OK to put public-school kids through Muslim role-playing exercises, including:

Reciting aloud Muslim prayers that begin with "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful . . . ."

Memorizing the Muslim profession of faith: "Allah is the only true God and Muhammad is his messenger."

Chanting "Praise be to Allah" in response to teacher prompts.

Professing as "true" the Muslim belief that "The Holy Quran is God's word."

Giving up candy and TV to demonstrate Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.

Designing prayer rugs, taking an Arabic name and essentially "becoming a Muslim" for two full weeks.

Parents of seventh-graders, who after 9-11 were taught the pro-Islamic lessons as part of California's world history curriculum, sued under the First Amendment ban on religious establishment. They argued, reasonably, that the government was promoting Islam.

But a federal judge appointed by President Clinton told them in so many words to get over it, that the state was merely teaching kids about another "culture."

So the parents appealed. Unfortunately, the most left-wing court in the land got their case. The 9th Circuit, which previously ruled in favor of an atheist who filed suit against the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, upheld the lower court ruling.

Comments

[me]

so, it's only a matter of time before the atheist will protest the quran as well then, since Allah is another word for God, right? (probably not). just like you can't say a word, or picture, about any religion in a negative light for fear of being disrespectful, but you can dog christianity to the fullest extent anytime anywhere, and that is totally acceptable. That makes me want to hurl.

[Andrew]

Completely outrageous. Look, I'm an atheist. I don't care for the words "under God" in the pledge. But the idea that this is ok while comparable exposure to Christian (or Jewish, or Hindu, or Zoroasteran) "culture" is not is out-freaking-rageous. I support the idea of courses in religion as part of standard curricula. "Social Studies" and history programs can't be complete without examination of world religions. But if what is described in the post above is an accurate representation of what was really going on, it is highly inappropriate.

[Samayel]

Interesting and dismaying. I'm fine with teaching the basics of other cultures, but I find it a huge stretch to refer to acting out Islamic faith in class as secular education. (Frankly I want no religion in any classroom, any parent too lazy to instill basic values at home, who then expects their school system to do it, should be sterilized. Their called teachers, not babysitters.)

What a perverse tragedy that our judicial system can render a thoroughly incompetent judgement like that.

I will relent on the 'under God' bit, though. The Loyalty Oath/Pledge Of Allegiance was a pathetic fraud crafted at the height of the cold war as a knee jerk response to the perils of Communism. The whole thing should be thrown out the door. I'd rather see an Oath/Pledge that daily reminds kids that they're in school to learn, not hang out with their pals and get away from their parents for 6 or 7 hours. That might have a more lasting positive impact.

[VirginiaBreeze]

Well, after reading the comments here I just know I'll get some backlash. I have NO problem with the words "under God." This country was formulated, built, and founded by those words and they are as natural as saying "I'm an American." Ask any soldier fighting for our freedom overseas. I was proud to say the prayer in school and to sing the Pledge of Allegience. I still stand and cross my heart when it's recited...and a tear always fall at the amazement of those who choose to sit. We, America, has gotten to be so overly concerned with pleasing everyone and what they feel are their rights, that we have lost sight of our values, morals, education system, child-rearing, and what the USA once was. God Bless America!!! One language, under God (and if you can't speak it you are just as free to leave the same way you came).