We have entered into the world of ancient Islam this week, and in view of recent news headlines, I felt like I needed to reiterate to all students what I said in class yesterday:
We are in the business of studying history in this classroom, not religion. Our studies will be focused on culture, scientific, and architectural accomplishments, as well as the progression of the many empires of this world. However, we do have to understand what THEY believe, as far as their religion is concerned since it colors so much of their culture and decision-making. This decision comes from the State of Tennessee Department of Education; not Victoria Morton, Shawn Page, or the SCS Board of Education. I am simply presenting the material that they require in order that your students are prepared for the end of grade testing. Since this is the largest unit we cover, I feel certain that it will be addressed on the test.
We are in the business of studying history in this classroom, not religion. Our studies will be focused on culture, scientific, and architectural accomplishments, as well as the progression of the many empires of this world. However, we do have to understand what THEY believe, as far as their religion is concerned since it colors so much of their culture and decision-making. This decision comes from the State of Tennessee Department of Education; not Victoria Morton, Shawn Page, or the SCS Board of Education. I am simply presenting the material that they require in order that your students are prepared for the end of grade testing. Since this is the largest unit we cover, I feel certain that it will be addressed on the test.
Suleiman the Great of the Ottoman Empire
Yesterday, we discussed how the Five Pillars of Islam are the five basic principles of their religion, just as the Ten Commandments are the guiding principles of Christianity and Judaism. However, just because we discuss what they believe religiously, does not mean that anyone in the class is required to believe that it's true. It is simply a fact that these are the Five Pillars of Islam and we have to memorize it as a fact, not take it on as own belief.
Hope we all understand where we stand with this issue -this is about knowing what another culture believes, not necessarily agreeing with it.
Sarah Haggitt- I understand completely that we are learning the facts, not being told to believe them
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reassurance!
ReplyDelete-Bailey Kennedy
I understand that we are just learning about another culture, not learning believe what they do.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, we totally understand that Islam is part of the curriculum and is necessary to be taught, but thank you for being knowing and understanding and just putting this out there. - Lily Zeng
ReplyDeleteThanks
ReplyDeleteArjun Menon- We understand that Islam is part of our unit and curriculum and we are told to learn it, not to be forced into agreeing with it or believe in what the Islamic civilizations believed.
ReplyDeleteI know and understand that we are not needing to follow this culture just because we know or are learning about it. Learning this is a better way to lear how Islamic culture shaped the events throughout the Islamic civilization.
ReplyDeleteI know and understand that we are not needing to follow this culture just because we know or are learning about it. Learning this is a better way to lear how Islamic culture shaped the events throughout the Islamic civilization.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else, I agree that we understand that this is part of our curriculum, and this shouldn't affect anyone's beliefs as it is important to know about history and how it influenced us. - Aryan Rajesh 3rd Period
ReplyDeleteLike many, I understand that we are only learning about the Islamic culture, not being taught to follow the religion.
ReplyDeleteI understand that this is a part of the curriculum for social studies. It is not supposed to affect people's religion.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Mrs. Morton we know that you are not trying to convert anyone ;) -Jas Dhiman
ReplyDeleteAlexandros Dragatsis - Thank you Mrs. Morton
ReplyDeleteI know how some people are worried about teaching us about other religions. To me, I'm just expanding my knowledge about the world! Thanks for discussing this with us!
ReplyDeleteI know that this is part of the curriculum and we don't have to start following that religion. - Ella Roehl
ReplyDelete