[RR] Unbelievable

[Bob Simons]

Public School Course on Islam Raises Furor in California By the Rev. Austin Miles, Special to ASSIST News Service Seventh graders in a growing number of public schools, who are not permitted to wear a cross or speak the name of Jesus, are being required to attend an intensive three-week course on Islam - a course in which students are mandated to learn the tenets of Islam, study the important figures of the faith, wear a robe, adopt a Muslim name and stage their own Jihad. In Byron, Calif., parents were outraged when students came home with handouts and were told what was being taught. Their complaints to the school principal not only were ignored, but officials of this public school, funded by tax dollars, essentially fluffed them off. The public schools in California so stealthily slipped this course into the 7th grade curriculum that even another 7th grade teacher, Elizabeth Christina Lemings, was totally in the dark that this was being taught until her son, Joseph, who is a 7th grader in the same school where she teaches, brought home the handouts. "We could never teach Christianity like this," Lemings said to ANS during an on site interview. "We can't even mention the name of Jesus in the public schools, but over there," she pointed to the building next to hers, "they teach Islam as the true religion, and students are taught about Islam and how to pray to Allah." Lemings, in her second year of teaching in the Byron (Northern California) Union School District, has been a Christian since 1987. The government school system requires that she teach evolution in her science class with no reference to creationism or any contrasting viewpoint to Darwin's theory. She quickly learned that God and Christianity are out (forbidden) but that Islam is in. The textbook used for the Islamic course, "Across The Centuries," is published by Houghton-Mifflin (Boston, Ma.). It is described as a Social Studies/History book and has been adopted by the California School System. In it, Islam is presented broadly in a totally positive manner, whereas the restricted references to Christianity, is centered on The Reformation, Martin Luther and The Catholic Church. Everything Christian is shown in a negative light, with events such as the Inquisition, the Salem witch-hunts, etc. highlighted in bold, black type. This is proper for a complete study of history. However, there is not one negative to be found about Islam in this one-sided account, such as the wars, massacres, cruelties against Christians and other non-Muslims that Islam has consistently perpetrated over the centuries. The handouts used in this course, obtained by ANS, are considerable. They include a history of Islam and the life of Muhammad its founder. Muhammad is portrayed as an extremely moral man who wanted a society of purity. A vast body of historical accounts will refute this image. There are many verses in the Koran that must be memorized in this Public School course and students are taught to pray, "in the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful" and to chant, "Praise to Allah, Lord of Creation." There are 25 Islamic terms that must be memorized, six Islamic (Arabic) phrases, 20 Islamic Proverbs to learn along with the Five Pillars of Faith and 10 key Islamic prophets and disciples to be studied. "Can you imagine the barrage of lawsuits and problems we would have from the ACLU if Christianity were taught in the public schools, and if we tried to teach about the contributions of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the Apostle Paul?" teacher Elizabeth Lemings lamented. "But when it comes to furthering the Islamic religion in the public schools, there is not one word from the ACLU, People For The American Way or anybody else. This is hypocrisy!" Even more disturbing; students are to pretend that they are Muslims, wear Muslim clothing to school, stage their own Jihad via a dice game, and pick out a Muslim name (to replace their own) from a list of 30. ANS asked some of the students what they thought about this course. All of them felt that "it was fun," while others described Islam as "a pretty culture." This included a pastor's son. Joseph Lemings, 12, said, "The Jihad was like playing a video game," even though the true violent nature of Jihad was well concealed. Lemings' mother is disturbed by the "fun" description. She sees it as a tool, not only to engender sympathy and support for the Muslim cause, but for recruitment. "This is not just a class of history of examining culture," she said. "This course is entirely too specific. It is more about indoctrination." Lemings, upon learning of the course on Islam, approached the principal of Intermediate-Excelsior School of Byron, Nancy Castro, requesting the right to teach Christianity in the manner that Islam is taught and for the same length of time. Castro has not responded to her request. Lemings later received, roundabout information that the only way she could do this would be to teach the Christianity class (as a Christian Club) after school hours where students would come of their own accord. Otherwise, she would violate the law of (selective) Separation of Church and State. In an interview with Nancy Castro, the principal of the schools in Byron, she stated to ANS that the Islam course (hidden within "History of Cultures") reflects California (educational) Standards that meet State requirements. When asked about the intensity of the Islamic course, Castro stated that the course "is not religion, but Ancient Culture and History. And," she pointed out, "the text is a State Adopted textbook. We do not endorse any religion, we just make students aware." She stated that the textbook is now in use throughout California. When asked if she would allow Christianity to be taught the same way that Islam is taught, Castro stammered before saying that Christianity is already taught in the History and Culture class, "which," she said, "actually starts in the 6th grade." Lemings had stated to ANS that there were many, many parents who protested this course on Islam, especially after Sept. 11. Nancy Castro contradicted this account. Asked if there was any response from parents about this course, Castro answered, "Oh a couple of parents called to express concerns, three to be exact." Peggy Green, Superintendent of the Byron Union School District did not return calls by press time. **The full text of this article, too long to be reprinted here, may be found at www.christianity.com/assistnews Austin Miles is a chaplain, author, historian, speaker and educator. ----------- From: "Jay Alan Sekulow, Chief Counsel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Students required to participate in Muslim worship services! Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 09:44:12 GMT Dear Mr. Frank Lindley, A California school district wants to FORCE seventh-graders to participate in Muslim worship activities ... ... and I need your help today to protest this violation of religious freedom - and PROTECT THE RIGHTS of your children and grandchildren! I urge you today to ADD YOUR NAME TO THE OPEN LETTER we have written to California's Governor and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, demanding that they remove this unconstitutional course requirement! http://www.aclj.net/aclj/islam1.cfm?dn=1008&commid=21138403&id=593819 The Byron Union School District in California has instituted a MANDATORY three-week course on Islam as part of the seventh-grade history class - - and it's an OUTRAGE! Students in the class not only receive handouts on Islam and the life of Mohammed, they also must: * chant praise to "Allah, Lord of Creation." * pray "in the name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful." * stage their own jihad! * dress up as Muslims and choose new Muslim names. Don't misunderstand me - it is perfectly appropriate for schools to teach about religion - including Islam, Judaism, and Christianity ... ... but it is entirely INAPPROPRIATE to mandate that students participate in a Muslim worship service! This course is a GROSS VIOLATION of the students' First Amendment rights! In fact, we now have been contacted by a parent in that California school district who objects to the mandatory nature of the course. This threat is not limited to the students in the school district.  This course may be implemented in schools across California - even ACROSS THE COUNTRY! We must stop this threat in its tracks! The American Center has already issued a demand letter to the school district and to the State Department of California objecting to this mandatory course. We have also written an OPEN LETTER to the Governor and State Superintendent of California, voicing our opposition to this mandatory course - - and I urge you to SIGN IT today! http://www.aclj.net/aclj/islam1.cfm?dn=1008&commid=21138403&id=593819 We are now pursuing all other available legal options. But now the legal battle has just begun. We must be prepared to protect the religious freedom of students AT ANY COST - - and I must have the help of friends like you! 1.  PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME TO THE OPEN LETTER to California's Governor Gray Davis and school superintendent Delaine Eastin, urging them to protect students' constitutional rights. http://www.aclj.net/aclj/islam1.cfm?dn=1008&commid=21138403&id=593819 2.  FORWARD THIS EMAIL to your friends so they too can join this nationwide campaign and add their name to the Open Letter. No student should be forced into religious activity - but with your gift today, WE CAN FIGHT THIS OUTRAGE and protect students' First Amendment rights, as well as continue the American Center's involvement in cases across the nation. I ask you to give the best you can - the religious freedoms of our young people are in serious jeopardy. PLEASE RESPOND TODAY with the Open Letter and your financial contribution - and thank you for joining me in the fight for liberty! _________________________________________ As always, let us know of threats to Christian freedom in your area via www.aclj.org .  And tune in to my daily radio program, "Jay Sekulow Live!" To ASK JAY http://www.aclj.org/askjay.asp a question, or to REQUEST HELP http://www.aclj.org/about/contact.asp , click on the respective link. SS 2:4a   He brought me to the wine house.. Bob Simons   For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11 [EMAIL PROTECTED]