Should the Qur'an be Taught in American High Schools?

[BeBMan]

Oh my, I thought I'd never mix up those names....serves me right I guess

[Jon Miller]

Varies by school district/state, but the only time it is taught in Fairfax County is alongside other religious texts in a religion class.

Religion class didn't exist in any public highschool I knew of.

JM
(and the bit in literature class analyzed it the same as the iliad)

[giblets]

Seems like a more relevant book than Moby Dick or Great Expectations.

[Hauldren Collider]

Religion class didn't exist in any public highschool I knew of.

JM
(and the bit in literature class analyzed it the same as the iliad)

The class was comparative religion.

[grumbler]

Seems like a more relevant book than Moby Dick or Great Expectations.

Moby Dick and Great Expectations are not taught for their relevance, any more than The Things They Carry or Ender's Game. They are taught because they serve as examples of the various styles of writing, and because they can be used to teach analytical skills.

The Qu'ran offers none of those advantages. If taught, it should be as part of a comparative religions course, or (selections) as part of the study of the Middle East or (again, relevant sections) world literature.

[Hauldren Collider]

Ender's Game should be taught for cultural relevance.

[Provost Harrison]

If they teach the bible then they should teach the Koran in the class too...but can we call the class "fictional literature"?

[Ben Kenobi]

In public schools? No.

What relevance does the Koran have to American culture? I wouldn't expect folks in Saudi Arabia to have a required course on the bible, so why would I expect the reverse in America?

As for the argument that "muslims are culturally relevant now, I'd argue that Mormonism has a much better claim to cultural relevancy as does the Church of Happyology so you would have to expose kids to Dianetics, etc. if that were the argument.

Remember America isn't Europe.

[Provost Harrison]

Yeah, you should expose them to all influences. Or be impartial and expose them to none at all. I am in favour of the latter...religion has no part in modern day education

[DaShi]

You have not argued that mormonism has more cultural relevance than Islam.

[giblets]

Moby Dick and Great Expectations are not taught for their relevance, any more than The Things They Carry or Ender's Game. They are taught because they serve as examples of the various styles of writing, and because they can be used to teach analytical skills.

The Qu'ran offers none of those advantages. If taught, it should be as part of a comparative religions course, or (selections) as part of the study of the Middle East or (again, relevant sections) world literature.

So... you're saying the Quran somehow manages to not exhibit a writing style, and cannot be analyzed?

[Provost Harrison]

You have not argued that mormonism has more cultural relevance than Islam.

I think you're mistaking me for someone who gives a sh*t

[MRT144]

Ender's Game should be taught for cultural relevance.

Nerd.

[a.kitman]

Religion class didn't exist in any public highschool I knew of.

JM
(and the bit in literature class analyzed it the same as the iliad)

you dont have a basic religion class in US highschools?

[DaShi]

I think you're mistaking me for someone who gives a sh*t

Who are you?