Muslims, Schooling, Equality and bigotry.

krish

Had to laugh at his dumbfudge logic on that issue in an earlier interview. He was essentially calling homosexuality a belief - as he didn't 'believe' in it, but that didn't make him homophobic, since not believing in Islam doesn't make you Islamophobic .

Toko Black

I agree, but the problem is that because we* want/expect fundamental equality for all while at the same time have like many nations and societies historically allowed one set of religious beliefs to inform, interfere with and demand exemptions/privileges - and those exemptions and privileges are still being demanded/expected by groups, organisations and individuals in our contemporary politics and society.
In the West that has predominantly** been Christian, while in other areas of the globe, Hindu and Muslim, with smaller regions and areas having 'other' religions and beliefs.

There are some exceptions to the rule, like the US that historically established a fundamental secular core to it's constitution - but that has been weakened significantly by many States, counties and communities indifference and ignorance to those fundamentals and instead acted like christian beliefs are the fundamental norm and are one and the same as the constitution.
In simple terms, many Americans have subconsciously replaced 'secular' in the constitution with 'christian' and just carried on regardless, because no one has challenged them.
Hence the major drama when communities in the US are confronted by someone demanding they respect the constitution and their rights, for example not to have to pray at the start of a council meeting or sports team practice session.

So while those exemptions and privileges are still honored and respected by the law, the political system and by the wider society, while at the same time wishing to respect all our other laws and ethics of equality, we feel duty bound/have our hands tied to granting privileges and exemptions to all including those that leave a bad taste in our mouths.

* 'we' being nations attempting to be more contemporary secular looking nations like the UK.

** The 3 main religions of the world are of course Christianity, Islam and Hinduism with roughly 1/3rd, 1/4th and 1/6th of the worlds population respectively or approx 3/4ths combined.

springtide

I think it’s worth looking at the bigger picture across the UK.

How many schools across the UK have Muslim pupils?

And how many of those schools have protests?

I’d say it’s a small percentage and hence this isn’t a Muslim issue, but an issue with a small number of people who just do happen to be Muslim in this case.

Similar cases have come up at faith schools in the UK, with objections from white British people.

And in parliament there has been opposition to gay marriage etc and Ann Widdecombe has had very strong views on this same subject

Toko Black

From a poll done about whether or not same sex relationships could be depicted in schools books for young children, only 53% of people thought it was appropriate and 29% of people believe that parents should have the right to prevent their children reading them.

Considering that the Muslim population of the UK is only around 5%, even if EVERY Muslim wanted parents to have the right to prevent their children reading about same sex relationships in school, that would still leave 24% of the population to be accounted for.

Ergo - roughly at least 1/4 of Non Muslim UK population support parents rights to prevent their young children being taught about same sex relationships.

rustybin

What with this, the rise of the Right and all the crap going on re: abortion in the USA, it's easy to forget that we're half way through 2019 rather than 1919.

SteakAndCake

Hard to see a brighter future right now.

Sonic67

Eight weeks on, still kicking off.

Birmingham LGBT row: The view from the school gates

rustybin

We some sort of governmental education department which could step in and sort this once and for all.

One day maybe.

zackai

For goodness sake, let's not forget that these are primary school children.  Let them enjoy their childhood without bringing all this same-sex stuff to their attention at such an early age.

rustybin

All this same sex stuff! Brilliant. You mean life?