Parent Claims Texbook Too Favorable to Islam

[rocam]

Cheshire parent says textbook distorts Islam

Luther Turmelle , North Bureau Chief

http://www.nhregister.com/site/news....=yelejCHESHIRE

— A controversy has developed over a seventh-grade textbook being used at Dodd Middle School that some parents say provides an unbalanced view of Islam. Ken Whelan, who has a son in seventh grade at Dodd, said he would like to see the social studies textbook "History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond" removed from the school’s curriculum, although the information he finds offensive hasn’t been presented to students.

After addressing the Board of Education’s Curriculum Committee Monday evening, Whelan said he’s prepared to wage a legal battle to get a textbook that offers what he says is a more realistic portrayal of the Muslim religion.

"This isn’t over, not by a long shot," Whelan said Tuesday. "There are Christian attorneys that will come in and litigate this if that’s what it takes."

Whelan claims he was bullied by teachers and administrators from Dodd at the meeting because of his view that the textbook fails to address Islamic history and teachings in an evenhanded manner.

"They don’t teach the not-so-good things, the aggressiveness of Islam," Whelan said. "The book is skewed. There are better textbooks out there, books that tell the whole truth, not half the truth."

Dodd Principal Donald Wailonis has been an educator in Cheshire schools since 1971 and said this is the first time he can recall that there has been controversy over a textbook.

Wailonis said the curriculum addresses the good and bad aspects of religion, which is important if students are to learn critical thinking.

Curriculum Committee Chairman James Sima said Judaism and Christianity are also taught, at different times."We look at it in a critical fashion. … I think our students know that religion can be misused," Wailonis said. "We don’t teach from a singular perspective. We have no agenda to promote that puts one religion over another."

But Whelan said public schools have no business teaching religion, even in the context of a curriculum segment that deals with the medieval world.

"They’re not qualified to teach religion in depth," said Whelan, who is pastor of the Victory Chapel Evangelical Church. "They’re taking away the divinity of Jesus Christ, and they’ve taken the concept of God as the father of Jesus Christ out of it."

Superintendent of Schools Greg Florio said he hopes that the discussion at the curriculum committee meeting answered the majority of questions raised by parents who spoke on the subject of the textbook at the meeting."

I am hoping this is it, though there may be some lingering questions we need to answer," Florio said.

"I have asked Mr. Whelan to submit any additional questions in writing, so that we can get answers to them in advance of the meetings," Sima said.Whelan said he’s determined to keep questioning school officials on what he ultimately believes is a hostile environment for Christians who send their children to Cheshire schools. He said he raised his concerns as a parent, not as a religious leader.

"This is not right, this is not the way education should be managed," Whelan said. "What they’re trying to do is neutralize our children’s American values, to say that every other country is better than the United States. But public schools are supposed to be a place where anybody can go to school, no matter what their viewpoint is."

Luther Turmelle can be reached at lturmelle@nhregister.com or 269-1496.

[Boogski]

All the more reason to stomp the sh*t out of Muslim theocracies. I vote for Syria next.

[Nims]

Originally Posted by Boogski

All the more reason to stomp the sh*t out of Muslim theocracies. I vote for Syria next.

Boogski, what happened to the Shot Koran picture in your signature. I thought you said you will keep it as long as Rocam tarnishes the American flag with the sign of Islam! What happened? What did you back off?

I am afraid this shows some weakness in your character!!!

[voltaires_priest]

Originally Posted by Boogski

All the more reason to stomp the sh*t out of Muslim theocracies. I vote for Syria next.

Syria isn't a theocracy.



V

[rocam]

Originally Posted by Boogski

All the more reason to stomp the sh*t out of Muslim theocracies. I vote for Syria next.

The enemies of America who want to destroy every great thing this country stands for...

[rocam]

Originally Posted by Nims

Boogski, what happened to the Shot Koran picture in your signature. I thought you said you will keep it as long as Rocam tarnishes the American flag with the sign of Islam! What happened? What did you back off?

I am afraid this shows some weakness in your character!!!

Do you have anything against proud American Muslims??

[Ma_Li_Ka]

Originally Posted by Nims

Boogski, what happened to the Shot Koran picture in your signature. I thought you said you will keep it as long as Rocam tarnishes the American flag with the sign of Islam! What happened? What did you back off?

I am afraid this shows some weakness in your character!!!

Lookin' for real fwends again? This is not the way to do it.

Work on your presentation, girl! Google interhuman communication for a FOB (aka 777hhm.a.r.a. straight from the teyara) and I am sure you will come up with something!