Schools drop Holocaust lessons so they won't "offend"

Schools have avoided teaching the Holocaust and the Crusades in history lessons because they are concerned about causing offense to Muslim pupils or challenging "charged" versions of history which children have been taught at home, government research has found.

Oh this is smart. Let them keep thinking the stupid things they are taught at home, instead of teaching them the facts. Why do we teach them anything? Let's just let them learn everything at home. That would be such a smart generation. NOT! History is about facts. What happened. You can't change the facts, no matter what your opinion is. We will end up teaching nothing because someone don't agree with anything. Why are we afraid of offending someone? Can't do anything for fear it will offend. Well just deal with it. If you are offended by your child learning the real facts, then go put them in a private school that will teach what you agree with, instead of what actually happened.

Edited to add another link with more information:

UK Teachers Drop the Holocaust to Appease Muslims

First part of the article:

Schools are dropping the Holocaust from history lessons to avoid offending Muslim pupils, a government-backed study has revealed.

It found some teachers are reluctant to cover the atrocity for fear of upsetting students whose beliefs include Holocaust denial.

There is also resistance to tackling the 11th century Crusades - where Christians fought Muslim armies for control of Jerusalem - because lessons often contradict what is taught in local mosques.

Conclusion of the report:

The report concluded: "In particular settings, teachers of history are unwilling to challenge highly contentious or charged versions of history in which pupils are steeped at home, in their community or in a place of worship."

This is probably why there will be more Holocaust denial among the generation growing up. If they study it, they would see just now atrocious it was. Let's just avoid it so we can keep denying it, shall we?!?

But we mustn't offend the Muslims or Christians, DOYC forbid!

A., who is an equal opportunity offender. She offends everyone lol.

Why do Muslims react with violence?

Yesterday I was wondering why Muslims always seem to react with violence towards things they don't agree with or they view as against Islam. Obviously it's not always, but sometimes it seems like there's never a time when Muslims aren't reacting violently towards non-muslims (or even other muslims) in protest of something. The cartoons are a recent example.

In the US, we speak out, boycot stores/companies, picket the company/store, go on strike if we think we are not getting a fair deal on our job, have people sign petitions, or write letters to the president, congressman, or the editor of the newspaper to publically show our views. Why can't they do this?

Then I realized something: they can't do this in their native countries! In most majority muslim countries (or even those that have a large minority), they can't speak their mind. Well ok, technically they can, but then they would be taken to jail for years, tortured, and maybe "disappear". To them it's "can't", because they are trying to raise their family and stay alive.

We take for granted in the United States and other Western countries our ability to say what we think, even about our president or our religion. There is a limitation about what you can say, however. If you are threatening the life of the president or someone else, you probably will be arrested. The secret service (who protects the president) investigates people who send letters that could be viewed as threatening or violent. But if you don't agree with him and want to tell him so, feel free to do so (or even write about it on your blog!)

This past weekend my dad was pissed about why the "fucking muslims" (his words) didn't speak up about the terrorism and violence the minority are doing. I didn't give my opinion, because he doesn't listen to it or even think that maybe I might know more than him about anything. Even though I lived among and with Muslims for 12 years, of course I can't know more than him about them since he has more life experience than I do. What he knowsabout them he reads in the media. Of course they are unbaised, riiiight.

His ranting is what made me wonder about it. I think it is a valid point. Then I came to this conclusion. I am not trying to excuse them, but I think fear of your life/liberty is possibly the reason why many of the ones who object to it don't speak out. You might say yes, for those living in a "muslim country of your choice", but what about the ones who have immigrated to a "western country of your choice"? They don't have to worry about that. I don't think you can get rid of the fear of reprisals when you are raised in that atmosphere. They may be afraid of reprisals of their family/friends back in their country, or they may just not be used to speaking out against what other muslims do. They also may be speaking out in their homes/mosques, but don't want to be seen speaking out in public (again because that is not what they are used to having the freedom to do, or because of reprisals).

I don't hate Arabs/Muslims. I speak out when they are discriminated against (just view my blog to see that). I also am critical of them, esp. when I see an example of how they treat women. I know that the majority of them are peaceful and don't hate westerners, and would never commit a terrorist act. I lived with/among them for many years, and most of them are just trying to do all the things you are supposed to do so they can go to heaven. They do have an incorrect view of westerners from what they have seen in the media in their countries, but then again, Where do you think Westerners get their view of Muslims? Most from the media, unless they work with/live next to or know any Muslims very well.

A., just my thoughts on the subject.

About me and My thoughts on Islam

I had these posts on another blog, but decided to make keep that blog personal, and make this blog for more serious posts.

This is my intro post: About me and how I left Islam, and my feelings about it.

I became Muslim in 1992, after reading about it for over a year. After being married to several Muslim men and living in a Muslim country (Jordan), I have come to realize that this isn't something I want in my life or that I want to raise my kids in.

On paper Islam, like many things (communism for example), sounds great. One of the things I liked about it when I was reading about was the rights of women in Islam. They have their own identity; keep their own family name when they get married, keep any money they earn, inherit, etc; can choose who to marry and can initiate a divorce, and on and on.

However, in practice I have realized that men are the ones controlling the rights the women get. Most mosques you go to in the US won't give a Muslim women an Islamic divorce, even if the guy abandoned her or is a wife-beater, until they talk to him and he agrees. Many Muslims believe a woman has to ask her husband's permission to go out of the house. That is not in the Quran at all. They treat women like they are children and too stupid to do anything themselves. In most Muslim countries the woman can't get a divorce if the guy doesn't want one, even if he has another wife. In Egypt if the guy has another wife you can get one, thanks to Jihan's law. Also in Egypt the woman CAN get divorce, but she has to give up all rights to support.

In Islam the woman is respected for bearing the children and taking care of them. But in reality, women are the ones doing all the work with no recognition by the men, and if they divorce the man gets the kids. He's not going to be the one taking care of them. They will be stuck with his mom or sister, or his wife, the latter usually doesn't treat them as her own (blood is thicker than water kind of thing).

So in reality things are not what they seem to be. Yes Islam gave women rights in the 8th century that were unheard of until the late 19th century in many "civilized" countries. But...now they are stuck in the 8th century as far as the rights the women actually HAVE. I don't want to live that way, or my daughter to be raised thinking she is not as good as a boy or man just because she is female. She shouldn't be ruled over by men. I want her to grow up to be independent and be her own person and make her own decisions. That is how I was raised. Yes I choose to be in Islam, but I have chosen to leave it. They have the right to choose what they want for their lives.

The Quran also has some things that are disturbing to me, such as the verse that says you can beat your wife (Quran 4:34). No matter what Muslim apologists say, that is what it says. They usually put (lightly) in there but that's not what the verse says, that is added in the translation to placate non-muslims. Muslims try to counter that in many ways, but it's there in black and white. Do I want to be in a religion that says that, or have my daughter be married to someone who may think he can hit her if he thinks she is disobeying him?

Muhammad's hadith (sayings and doings of the prophet) also said that he Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a women equal to half that of a man?" The women said "yes". He said "This is because of the deficiency of the women's mind." (Sahih al-Bukhari, volume 3, hadith 826). Well sorry but women are as smart as and in many cases smarter than men! No way I want my daughter growing up believing that, or marrying someone who believes that. When I became Muslim I think I was looking for a community where I could belong, and just looked past things like this or accepted things that Muslims say to "explain this" like that men and women have different roles in life and society, separate but equal kind of thing. NOT! Men and women are different physically and mentally, but that doesn't mean that men are smarter than women or they should be able to tell them what to do or what not to do like they are children.

There are other things that bother me about Islam as well. One is that it is very PC to say that Islam is not a violent religion. But in reality there is a lot of violence in the Quran. The religion was spread by the sword by Muhammad and later generations. It didn't spread slowly by Muslims going to the countries and living there, they took over the countries, killed people, took slaves.

There is a lot of violence in Muslim and Western countries over the infamous cartoons. I don't like them, but being raised in a country based on free speech, I can't take away someone's right to their free speech. Here in the US we make fun of everybody: in cartoons in the newspaper, stand-up comics, late night talk shows. You can make fun of the President, politicians, practically anyone and everyone are targets at one time or another, including religions. Even though I don't like them, and I don't think the newspaper should have printed something that can be viewed as racist, why do they have to be violent about it? There's no excuse for that. To me it's just another example of Muslims being violent and making excuses for it.

Now at their father's house it is a TOTALLY different story! He doesn't think they have a choice. He married a young woman from Egypt about 4 years ago, and they are very "cultural" at his house. They tell my daughter that she will go to hell if she wears skorts (shorts that look like a skirt) or doesn't wear a scarf. He told my son that you can't marry a non-Muslim or you go to hell, but HELLO, did he forget? HE was married to a non-Muslim! What a hypocrite! When my son brought up that little "forgotten" fact he didn't answer of course. Do as I say not as I do! He tells them not to lie, but he lies in court under oath.

Everything here is my own opinion. If you don't like my view, you are certainly entitled to your own opinion and your own blog. This is my view on a religion I was involved in for 12 years, and that I choose to leave. If it's right for someone else, then more power to them, but it's not right for me, and I will not raise my children in it.

Wife’s petition to leave hubby is rejected

Wife’s petition to leave hubby is rejected

ABU DHABI — The Federal Supreme Court has ordered a woman not to leave her husband and travel abroad without his permission.

Court records show a woman filed a lawsuit at the Abu Dhabi Shariah Court of First Instance seeking divorce and the payment of her deferred dowry. She alleged that her husband assaulted her.

The husband filed a counter suit, requesting the court to ask his wife not to leave his house or travel abroad without his permission. He also wanted to keep her passport and other official documents in his possession.

The Abu Dhabi Shariah Court of First Instance dismissed the wife’s petition and ordered her not to leave her husband and travel abroad without his permission.

The wife contested the verdict at the Abu Dhabi Shariah Court of Appeal, which ruled in her favour.

The husband approached the Federal Supreme Court, contending that the previous ruling should be declared null and void since it was based on his wife’s claims, which she failed to substantiate with evidence.

The court rejected his wife’s plea and ordered her to live with her husband and asked her not to travel abroad without his permission. The court said the woman failed to prove that her allegations were true.

This is a VERY idiotic way of treating women. We're just property to keep under lock and key, unless the court (staffed by men judges, I am sure) says otherwise? Umm, short answer: NO! Long answer: Hell No! And what chance is there of that? Probably very small. Just one of the many reasons I left Islam.

A., who doesn't let any man tell her what to do and is proud of it!

6 Imams Removed from US Airways Flight

6 Imams Removed from US Airways Flight

Not only were they removed from the flight, US Airways would not let them on a later plane! They need to be sued but good, and boycotted. We cannot permit this kind of discrimination.

And this is a load of bull:

"We are always concerned when passengers are inconvenienced and especially concerned when a situation occurs that causes customers to feel their dignity was compromised. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind," the airline said.

Tolerate it? Umm, You did it!

I hate it when a company feels like they can treat people this way. Who do they think they are, the government? Sadly, that should be funny but it's not. The government wants to do a lot of things that are against the constitution, like be able to hold someone indefiniately, and torture terror suspects. Did we move to a country while I was sleeping where things like this allowed? Bushville, perhaps?

Well I, for one, will not use US Airways. Not that that is going to hurt them, I rarely fly. But anyone else who reads this, do not fly an airline that treats people this way.

Let's boycot US Airways. Hit them where it hurts, in the wallet. Maybe then they will change how they treat people. Or, there's always Bankruptcy Court *Grin.

I am not willing to give up my constitutional freedoms just because I have nothing to hide. A.

As barrier comes down, a Muslim split remains

As barrier comes down, a Muslim split remains "The Islamic Society of San Francisco took the controversial step of tearing down the barrier separating male and female worshippers."

Read the full story at the link above. In many mosques there is a barrier between where men and women pray, or even a separate room (usually a much smaller room, sometimes in a balcony where it can be hot and stuffy). The women in this mosque wanted to hear the sermons better and be able to follow the prayer. Now there is a controvery about not having the barrier during prayer. The men say they don't want distractions during prayer. Well instead of putting the women behind a wall, maybe they should take responsiblity for how they act around women. It's not hard to be a gentleman and not stare at women when they are not seen or heard. Do they think women are going to be flirting with them or something? The women are fully clothed, plus covering at least their hair, if not their face.

Since the Saudi's began having oil money to build or support mosques in the US, the mosques are more and more segregated, since this is what they insist on if it's their money funding it or supporting it. Women don't have much of a say in the Muslim community, the men are in charge of pretty much everything. Women need to have a voice, they should not just be not seen and not heard.

A.

Women in Islam Verses Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition

I just read this article today: WOMEN IN ISLAM VERSUS WOMEN IN THE JUDAEO-CHRISTIAN TRADITION: THE MYTH & THE REALITY, by Dr. Sherif Abdel Azeem.

In it they are trying compare what is in the Quran with what is in the Bible, mostly the Old Testament, to show that Islam is superior. One problem with that is that the Old Testament was written hundreds or thousands of years before Jesus. Some authors of some books of the bible are unclear or even unknown. Secondly, comparing something that is taken literally with laws in many countries based on it (the Qur'an) and something that is not taken as literally and doesn't have law based on it (the Bible) does not make sense to me. The verses they bring up in the Bible are not used as the basis for law. It's like comparing the laws from over 2000 years ago to the laws now.

Women allegedly have many rights in Islam, but...

"A woman in the Quranic conception has the right to argue even with the Prophet of Islam himself. No one has the right to instruct her to be silent. She is under no obligation to consider her husband the one and only reference in matters of law and religion."

Ok, now this just doesn't happen! Women did argue with the prophet, but try that now and see just what happens. Who are the ones interpreting the Quran and Hadith? Sheiks (Muslim scholars), who are men. Who are the ones making the laws? Mostly Men! Who is in charge of implementing the laws? Men again! Women are not involved in most stages of interpreting or implementing laws in Muslim countries. Yes there are women in Parliaments and other government in Muslim countries, but the ones establish laws that deal with the way of life, esp. anything mentioned by the Qur'an or Hadith (esp. family law), are the Skeihs, the religious leaders or Muslim scholars; who are, you guessed it: men.

Some of the laws in the Qur'an or Islam are out dated. One example is the woman getting half the inheritance of the man. In times when the family would take care of the woman even if her husband died, she didn't need the money, but now, especially in western countries, she will be on her own if he dies or leaves her. Another is the woman's testimony being equal to half of a man's. Women back in the 7th century may not have known much about life or been out in the real world, but that is not the case now. Just because I am a woman doesn't mean that I have a worse memory than a man does.

Many of the rights given to them by Islam are not given to them in reality. For instance, in many Muslim countries (as well as in many mosques in the US) the woman doesn't have the right to get a divorce if she wants to, only if her husband agrees. The article even admits it. They seem to hem and haw about it though:

"The one question all the non-Muslims, who had read an earlier version of this study, had in common was: do Muslim women in the Muslim world today receive this noble treatment described here? The answer, unfortunately, is: No. Since this question is inevitable in any discussion concerning the status of women in Islam, we have to elaborate on the answer in order to provide the reader with the complete picture.

They do admit however:

"Almost all Muslim societies have, to one degree or another, deviated from the ideals of Islam with respect to the status of women. These deviations have, for the most part, been in one of two opposite directions. The first direction is more conservative, restrictive, and traditions-oriented, while the second is more liberal and Western-oriented."

However, they absolve Islam of the blame for it:

"The societies that have digressed in the first direction treat women according to the customs and traditions inherited from their forebears. These traditions usually deprive women of many rights granted to them by Islam. Besides, women are treated according to standards far different from those applied to men. This discrimination pervades the life of any female: she is received with less joy at birth than a boy; she is less likely to go to school; she might be deprived any share of her family's inheritance; she is under continuous surveillance in order not to behave immodestly while her brother's immodest acts are tolerated; she might even be killed for committing what her male family members usually boast of doing; she has very little say in family affairs or community interests; she might not have full control over her property and her marriage gifts; and finally as a mother she herself would prefer to produce boys so that she can attain a higher status in her community."

The other societies they blame the Western influence for being too modern:

"On the other hand, there are Muslim societies (or certain classes within some societies) that have been swept over by the Western culture and way of life."

Things are not always as they appear to be, in any religion. Just my thoughts tonight. A.