Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims

[JohnRich 4]

News:

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.

The findings have prompted claims that some schools are using history 'as a vehicle for promoting political correctness'.

The report said teachers feared confronting 'anti-Semitic sentiment and Holocaust denial among some Muslim pupils'...

Full Story: Daily Mail

Should the history of the Holocaust and the Crusades be avoided in public schools in order to not offend Muslims who believe differently about those episodes?

[DZJ 0]

Seems like this issue is a confusion of politics, religion and history, and probably on both sides (schools and mosques alike)

And yes, history teachers should confront difficult questions. In fact, they should make a point of doing so.

I look askance at the source though, the Mail is a xenophobic small-minded rag, preferred by people of a similar bent.

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

I look askance at the source though, the Mail is a xenophobic small-minded rag, preferred by people of a similar bent.

Don't judge a book by it's cover. That was but one of many sources.

Here are many others.

They include the BBC, The Telegraph, The Guardian, and more.

[JohnnyD 0]

You have a nearly frightening obsession with the UK and news sources of marginal repute.

[sundevil777 102]

You nearly frighten easily.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

You have a nearly frightening obsession with the UK...

I didn't even mention in what country this was occuring in my introductory message, as it is irrelevant to the controversy. It could be anywhere. It's a question of "history versus political correctness". So perhaps the obsession is in your own mind.

Quote

...news sources of marginal repute.

See my message #3 - that's the one right above your own response. Do you consider all 59 of those news sources to be of "marginal repute"? Is the government study upon which they are reporting also of "marginal repute"? Are the people who conducted the study of "marginal repute"?

And finally, I have the courage to be known for what I say here. I don't hide my identity and post messages anonymously.

[miked10270 0]

Quote

You have a nearly frightening obsession with the UK and news sources of marginal repute.

I think it's cool... It's like being famous enough to have a stalker!

Perhaps the nut of this is in the close of the article: Teachers have a poor grasp of the subjects and this results in simplified & superficial lessons (along with an inability to adequately debate any counter-arguments).

I saw this first-hand when discussing my 12 year-old's school history syllabus; Germany, 1919-45 (as part of 20th century European history) when I mentioned "Keynes' beliefs on The German Reparations Problem" to blank looks and panic! I think the history department was expecting to cover Nazism & German Communism with; "Along came a bad man".

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[falxori 0]

errr, why would holocaust teaching would offend muslims?

muslims in general are not holocaust deniers (at least not the muslims i know, beside one iranian maybe...)

O

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

errr, why would holocaust teaching would offend muslims?
muslims in general are not holocaust deniers...

Apparently enough of them are that it intimidates the teachers into remaining silent, so that they don't have to answer challenges.

If we bow to such intimidation, it will be the death of our culture. The radical Muslims are using our desire for political-correctness as a weapon against us.

I'm also trying to figure out why Iranian muslims are protesting outside the British embassy in Tehran. They're the ones holding British sailors hostage. It seems to me it should be the Brits protesting outside the Iranian embassy in London.

But then, a lot of what these radical muslims do doesn't make sense to me...

[falxori 0]

Quote

But then, a lot of what these radical muslims do doesn't make sense to me...

welcome to the middle east...

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[miked10270 0]

Quote

errr, why would holocaust teaching would offend Muslims?

Muslims in general are not holocaust deniers

I suspect that the issue may not be The Holocaust itself, but the ramifications thereof in the implementation of The Balfour Document and partition of Palestine.

This may tax the amount of time available to cover the subject... The trouble with "History" is that it doesn't stop and has a nasty habit of spilling out of artificial confines.

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[miked10270 0]

Quote

I'm also trying to figure out why Iranian muslims are protesting outside the British embassy in Tehran...

Perhaps they're protesting at the crap quality of our History Teachers!

Quote

...should be the Brits protesting outside the Iranian embassy in London.

1: We're far too well mannered.

2: It's raining.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[falxori 0]

Quote

I suspect that the issue may not be The Holocaust itself, but the ramifications thereof in the implementation of The Balfour Document and partition of Palestine.

i can't say that one has nothing to do with the other, but the Balfour decleration and the partition plan as a way to solve the conflict were before the holocaust.
and as we know, one side accepted it and the other didnt.

anyway, i don't want this to turn into another israeli palestinian thread, but if we're rewriting history just because someone might get pissed, its a problem.

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[DZJ 0]

Quote

Quote

I look askance at the source though, the Mail is a xenophobic small-minded rag, preferred by people of a similar bent.

Don't judge a book by it's cover. That was but one of many sources.

Here are many others.

They include the BBC, The Telegraph, The Guardian, and more.

Wasn't meant as a dig at you, I just really don't like the Mail. It's just a particularly vicious and obnoxious tabloid.

[miked10270 0]

Quote

... Balfour declartion and the partition {predated The Holocaust}

Yes. But their implementation followed The Holocaust. In dealing with ANY aspect of the "Jewish history in Europe" from 1914, you open up a whole can of worms which needs to be adequately researched before beginning. Because of this, 5-16 years teachers really prefer the history where everyone's well dead and the questions faced are no longer relevant. As such, it's best to stay clear of the 20th & 11th Centuries. Stick to Pestilence, The Corn Laws & Industrial Revolution, if you MUST have a war, make it BEFORE the Franco-Prussian one. It's safer that way. Leave the "Living / Relevant" history to higher education.

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[JohnnyD 0]

Quote

And finally, I have the courage to be known for what I say here. I don't hide my identity and post messages anonymously.

A little touchy are we? You obviously missed the sarcasm in my post.
As far as the profile, I've posted my reasons for intentionally omitting information. Specifically, what happened to PhillyKev and AggieDave. Really makes you stop and think. I wonder if the Queens royal secret service doesn't have you under surveillance.

[miked10270 0]

Quote

...I just really don't like the Mail. It's just a particularly vicious and obnoxious tabloid.

But it does a really nice TV Guide on Saturdays.
It's just that the "News"paper that comes with the TV Guide really should be printed on something softer & more absorbent.

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Quote

...should be the Brits protesting outside the Iranian embassy in London.

1: We're far too well mannered.

until you've had a few pints, no one has any idea what you're thinking.

At what point does politeness stop being a virtue?

--
as for this story, I have issues with the source. John, if you want to continue your UK jihad, can you repost with a more credible one than this?

[falxori 0]

Quote

5-16 years teachers really prefer the history where everyone's well dead and the questions faced are no longer relevant. As such, it's best to stay clear of the 20th & 11th Centuries. Stick to Pestilence, The Corn Laws & Industrial Revolution, if you MUST have a war, make it BEFORE the Franco-Prussian one. It's safer that way. Leave the "Living / Relevant" history to higher education.

you're joking, right?
you teach history because its relevant. you teach it so people will learn something from the past. history is what makes us into what we are today.

ignoring something factual just because it might upset someone is a big win for holocaust deniers

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[miked10270 0]

Quote

Quote

5-16 years teachers really prefer the history where everyone's well dead and the questions faced are no longer relevant... It's safer that way. Leave the "Living / Relevant" history to higher education.

you're joking, right?... ignoring something factual just because it might upset someone is a big win for holocaust deniers

I wish.

BUT... Unless a person teaching history is well prepared on the subject, then it's far more productive to teach the non-controversial areas. We are STILL feeling the afershocks of 1919, so it's better to avoid that period and it's immediate consequences in the interests of pupil learning.

Bear in mind that almost all history teachers have a teaching degree rather than one in history. They are there to impart a syllabus to show pupil ability rather than preside over a probably unproductive debate.

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[dorbie 0]

Quote

You have a nearly frightening obsession with the UK and news sources of marginal repute.

Ordinarily Europeans whine like stuck pigs when Americans aren't subject matter experts on their parochial issues. One dilettante takes an interest in topical UK politics and you....well........ whine like a stuck pig.

As the Chinese say, when the finger points at the moon the fool points at the finger. Quit pointing at JohnRich and address the topic if you have the wit.

[JohnnyD 0]

Quote

Quote

You have a nearly frightening obsession with the UK and news sources of marginal repute.

Ordinarily Europeans whine like stuck pigs when Americans aren't subject matter experts on their parochial issues. One dilettante takes an interest in topical UK politics and you....well........ whine like a stuck pig.

As the Chinese say, when the finger points at the moon the fool points at the finger. Quit pointing at JohnRich and address the topic if you have the wit.

Jeez. You guys must have all hit your cycle at the same time. I thought the original post was pretty ridiculous and then I realized it was about the UK and from none other than JR, who seems to post about only three things: guns, the UK, and guns in the UK. I made a sarcastic post thinking there wouldn't even be any real discussion. I was wrong. Since there is actually some real discussion, I will now humbly bow out and offer my apologies.

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

Wasn't meant as a dig at you...

No problem. I didn't take it as such.

• Quote

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

as for this story, I have issues with the source. John, if you want to continue your UK jihad, can you repost with a more credible one than this?

See message #3. Take your pick of sources.

Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman. Be he alive or be he dead. I'll grind his bones to make my bread.

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

I thought the original post was pretty ridiculous and then I realized it was about the UK and from none other than JR, who seems to post about only three things: guns, the UK, and guns in the UK.

Your perception is incorrect. You need to look around some more, before deciding that I'm "obsessed" about the UK and guns.

Just today I've posted about:
- Newlyweds: Moonglo & Luminous
- Google Analytics?
- MAD
- Another Senator Headed to Prison?
- President Bush is at Camp David right now.

And I've read far more, without being moved to contribute.

None of those topics have anything to do with the UK or with guns. Imagine that.