Friday, August 30, 2013

Kansas ACLU Taking No Action on School Islam Display

They say the display did not "proselytize." Is this a new ACLU standard for action?

Two weeks ago, students at the Minneha Core Knowledge Magnet Elementary School in Wichita, Kansas, were greeted in the hall by this bulletin board display:


The display was later removed by the school after a brief media reaction. The school released a statement, excerpted below:

Minneha Core Knowledge Magnet teaches the five major religions of the world — Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam — as part of the curriculum. The students study civilizations throughout time, throughout the world. Religion is an important component of the history of civilizations. The students study religion with a focus on the history and geography in the development of civilizations. The school does not promote or proselytize any religion. Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam are all taught in a historical context of their study of the world to understand the place of religion and religious ideas in history. There is also a painting of the Last Supper hanging in the school. The teachers are mindful of the sensitivity over religion. The students at Minneha have received these lessons for years.

A photo taken of a bulletin board without context is misleading and some have taken it out of context without having all the information. Because of the misunderstanding that has been promoted by that one photograph, the bulletin board has been taken down.

Students and staff have the right to engage in private prayer or religious activities in school as long as it’s not disruptive.

Minneha is a Core Knowledge magnet school. As a school of choice, more than 60% of Minneha’s students apply for admission to the school in order to receive the core knowledge education that is the foundation of the school. As part of the core knowledge curriculum, which is overseen by a national foundation devoted to core knowledge education, there is study on civilizations throughout time, and throughout the world.

http://pjmedia.com/blog

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