I don't see how copying an explicitly devout, religious message is learning about other cultures. You could go about it in a different manner, without you having to write inanities.

(December 18, 2015 at 1:35 pm)excitedpenguin Wrote: I don't see how copying an explicitly devout, religious message is learning about other cultures. You could go about it in a different manner, without you having to write inanities.

The point of the exercise was appreciation of the calligraphy it seems

^this^

Comparative religion classes are a very good idea. It's not possible to really understand either world history or the current state of the world without knowing the basics and histort of the Abrahamic three plus Buddhism and Hinduism. But anything approaching practicing them is not appropriate, and not constitutional in US schools. Copying out a statement of faith is really pushing it.

That said, the parents' reaction is insanely over-the-top.

(December 18, 2015 at 1:39 pm)Quantum Wrote: The point of the exercise was appreciation of the calligraphy it seems

Which we were doing too at school, some 30 years ago. Not as an excercise, but out of fun. To see, if we were able to fludily write from right to left and how close we could get to the original. It's only one word, actually. One set of Arqabic letters.

Guess, we were indoctrinating ourselves back then.

Sometimes I really get the feeling, America was really fond of the McCarthy years and couldn't wait for a second helping with a new enemy.

But we have an even darker past to draw from. And it's not as if our rightwingers wouldn't gladly embrace the opportunity.

(December 18, 2015 at 2:25 pm)abaris Wrote:

(December 18, 2015 at 1:39 pm)Quantum Wrote: The point of the exercise was appreciation of the calligraphy it seems

Which we were doing too at school, some 30 years ago. Not as an excercise, but out of fun. To see, if we were able to fludily write from right to left and how close we could get to the original. It's only one word, actually. One set of Arqabic letters.

Guess, we were indoctrinating ourselves back then.

Sometimes I really get the feeling, America was really fond of the McCarthy years and couldn't wait for a second helping with a new enemy.

But we have an even darker past to draw from. And it's not as if our rightwingers wouldn't gladly embrace the opportunity.

If they were writing a christian declaration of faith, you would be shitting your pants with anger.

(December 18, 2015 at 4:06 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: If they were writing a christian declaration of faith, you would be shitting your pants with anger.

Nice that you can see into my head. There's really some shit involved. The don't give a shit variant.

Boy, I can't even begin to imagine how otherwise intelligent persons lose it over such nonsense. It's not some mullah preaching to send them off to Syria.

Yeah, right...

(December 18, 2015 at 4:20 pm)abaris Wrote:

(December 18, 2015 at 4:06 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: If they were writing a christian declaration of faith, you would be shitting your pants with anger.

Nice that you can see into my head. There's really some shit involved. The don't give a shit variant.

Boy, I can't even begin to imagine how otherwise intelligent persons lose it over such nonsense. It's not some mullah preaching to send them off to Syria.

They probably think that's next, Ab.  Remember, these are 'Murricans.  They don't know the difference between a muslim and a sikh. 

http://www.catchnews.com/world-news/elde...23581.html

Quote:Elderly Sikh man labelled 'Bin Laden' by co-passenger on flight

(December 18, 2015 at 4:20 pm)abaris Wrote:

(December 18, 2015 at 4:06 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: If they were writing a christian declaration of faith, you would be shitting your pants with anger.

Nice that you can see into my head. There's really some shit involved. The don't give a shit variant.

Boy, I can't even begin to imagine how otherwise intelligent persons lose it over such nonsense. It's not some mullah preaching to send them off to Syria.

No, it's not and yes they over reacted, but how would you feel if your kids were forced to write or recite the lords prayer at a publically funded school?

Sorry, I'm going back to sarcasm.

Copy the Zodiac Killers stuff. It was OK. Maybe one of them will crack the code!