Muslim families demand children be exempt from music class, want segregated phys-ed

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Music class sucks and girls are crappier at sports than boys.

I say: let 'em crash.

Airplane is the best movie ever made.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by puckluck

Arabs and sikhs are not the same.

I don't care.

The point is, they were so stuck to their beliefs, they actually think it's a good idea to allow kids to wear swords while playing soccer.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by evman150

I had segregated PE classes in grades 8-10. Was way better than wasting time with girls that don't want to be there.

That you only wanted to play with boys isn't entirely shocking.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Jehovah's Witnesses have been opting out of all kinds of school activities for years and I've never really heard anyone complain about that.

Seems like a double standard because it is Muslims that want to opt out.

Like what?

I had a kid who was a JW as a peer from grade 4 to about grade 10 or so, and really the only huge difference was he didn't stand for O Canada, went and sat outside while it played. He didn't do any extra stuff (teams etc) IIRC, but did all the other things.

[Antithesis]

Not to defend this, because I think its kind of silly, but I've looked over/heard about a number of studies that show segregated PE classes lead to stronger results for both boys and girls. I know many high schools have segregated classes at the grade 10 level.

[Fire]

What do JWs have against the national anthem?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Fire

What do JWs have against the national anthem?

Nationalism is not allowed.

No running for public office, no serving in the military, etc.

[JohnnyB]

I don't think the parents requests are terribly unreasonable. I don't think it would make a lot of sense for the school to segregate the PE classes based on the demands of one family as that would impinge on all other children's experiences, but removing the children from music class is not really a big deal.

Frankly, if you want a school system to promote tolerance of diversity the school system needs to tolerate diversity. A school system that doesn't tolerate diversity just encourages children to learn not to do so as well. From my point of view that would be very un-Canadian.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I don't think the parents requests are terribly unreasonable. I don't think it would make a lot of sense for the school to segregate the PE classes based on the demands of one family as that would impinge on all other children's experiences, but removing the children from music class is not really a big deal.

Frankly, if you want a school system to promote tolerance of diversity the school system needs to tolerate diversity. A school system that doesn't tolerate diversity just encourages children to learn not to do so as well. From my point of view that would be very un-Canadian.

Actually, Fine Arts education generally helps children do better in school. It isn't just for show.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Actually, Fine Arts education generally helps children do better in school. It isn't just for show.

I think you're missing the point of my post.

[puckluck]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

I don't care.

The point is, they were so stuck to their beliefs, they actually think it's a good idea to allow kids to wear swords while playing soccer.

Just thought you'd like to know that not all brown people are arabs or muslim.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The schools don't realize that by allowing this, it's actually an insult to most Muslim-Canadians who want to adapt to Canadian life.

Maybe those Muslim-Canadians are insulting the concept of multiculturalism...

In regards to the requests of the parents in question, I believe that the State should have a process or test against which to judge these requests. In a multicultural society, I believe it would be unfair to judge the requests against the country's prevailing beliefs. However, I would support a test that would examine the requests to see if they go against fundamental human rights.

With the requests in question, the test would throw out the segregation request as the religious belief it is upholding goes against a fundamental human right (i.e. it believes women are lower than men).

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Jehovah's Witnesses have been opting out of all kinds of school activities for years and I've never really heard anyone complain about that.

Seems like a double standard because it is Muslims that want to opt out.

Doesn't make it right. I don't think they should have the option of opting out either.

[Calgaryborn]

I think the parents are primarily responsible for the education of their children. They should have a right to have their children opt out of anything that is offensive to their sensibilities.

Provinces do have minimal standards for the education of children. If a parent keeps their child from something manditory they should be required to demonstrate how they will make up what is missing at their own expense.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

I think the parents are primarily responsible for the education of their children. They should have a right to have their children opt out of anything that is offensive to their sensibilities.

Provinces do have minimal standards for the education of children. If a parent keeps their child from something manditory they should be required to demonstrate how they will make up what is missing at their own expense.

What if I think black kids drinking out of the same water fountains as my kids is offensive to my sensibilities?

Can my kids get their own "whites only" water fountain?

[Pinner]

In all fairness, I'm sure if you immigrated to a predominantly Muslim country they would be more than happy to modify their education system to accommodate your Cristian beliefs.

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

What if I think black kids drinking out of the same water fountains as my kids is offensive to my sensibilities?

Can my kids get their own "whites only" water fountain?

No the parents can bring their own water or home school their children.

The school shouldn't have to bend to the whim of every parent and of course shouldn't bend at all to something as offensive as you mentioned.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Addick

Maybe those Muslim-Canadians are insulting the concept of multiculturalism...

In regards to the requests of the parents in question, I believe that the State should have a process or test against which to judge these requests. In a multicultural society, I believe it would be unfair to judge the requests against the country's prevailing beliefs. However, I would support a test that would examine the requests to see if they go against fundamental human rights.

With the requests in question, the test would throw out the segregation request as the religious belief it is upholding is goes against a fundamental human right (i.e. it believes women are lower than men).

This is probably correct. The not participating music class would be allowed as there could be alternative studies to meet the fine arts requirements but the segregation request goes to far.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

I think the parents are primarily responsible for the education of their children. They should have a right to have their children opt out of anything that is offensive to their sensibilities.

Provinces do have minimal standards for the education of children. If a parent keeps their child from something manditory they should be required to demonstrate how they will make up what is missing at their own expense.

I disagree. If you don't like what the school is teaching home school them. If you start allowing that you'll have people opting out of all kinds of crap.

If the parents opt the kid out of a class that kid should be required to make the marks up in another way then. It would be unfair to the other kids that have to take the time to complete course that some kids get to opt out of because their parents are ridiculous.

There would be more kids opting out of science classes because some parents don't believe in evolution. Let the kid learn it and decide for themselves.

As far as I know there aren't many frivolous classes left at most public schools these days.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Put an asterisk next to the child's name. Kinda like the Baseball hall of fame Home Run issue.

Those kids "Graduated", but we all know they didn't really graduate.