Poll: Should pillars of Islam be taught in World History essay assignment

A high school world history course featuring the study of the pillars of Islam had a Marine up in arms – reason being was that his daughter was given a 3 page assignment about that among other Muslim beliefs.

Kevin Wood brought the matter to the attention of officials at Maryland’s La Plata High School asking that his daughter be excused from that assignment, saying, in effect, that since Christianity or Judaism isn’t taught, is it right that “…we can force-feed our kids Islam."

In protesting the assignment, he first spoke to an administrative assistant and eventually got to speak to vice principal Shannon Morris.

School district spokeswoman, Katie O’Malley-Simpson, said Wood threatened to cause problems at the school during his conversation with Morris. O’Malley-Simpson provided no specific information about any threats the former Marine made.

Wood denies having made any threats. He stands by his claim that he does not believe in Islam and that he wanted his daughter removed from class while the others study the religion.

“I told her straight up ‘you could take that Muslim-loving piece of paper and shove it up your white ass,’ Wood said, according to the local newspaper.

He feels that no taxpayer money should be spent on teaching Islam in a public school when Christianity is given short shrift or no shrift at all.

In any event, for not completing her assignment, his daughter will be receiving a zero in the assignments.

The school district spokesperson added that Islam is studied as part of the history of the Middle East, just as the influence of Christianity is studied in connection with the Renaissance and Reformation – and Hinduism and Buddhism are also studied during units on South Asia and East Asia.

Here’s the deal: You really can’t have one without the other. In order to study the culture of a society in a world history class, you need to study its religion and its beliefs.

Islam teaches “x.” Christianity teaches “x.” Judaism, Hinduism, etc. all teach “x!”

It’s not proselytizing.

It’s merely teaching about the influence a religion has had over the culture of a given region.

Either that, or have no mention of any religion at all in World History.

However I have to wonder if this is going to be one of those districts that will be banning Christmas carols that mention Jesus?

It would be a little ironic – no?