A council has withdrawn books for an anti-homophobia programme at two primary schools following an outcry from predominantly Muslim parents.
Bristol City Council said it temporarily removed books and teaching materials at Easton Primary School and Bannerman Road Community School.
This was so they can "meet their legal responsibilities and operate safely".
Members of Bristol Muslim Cultural Society said parents were outraged by the lack of consultation.
The materials are mostly storybooks aimed at five to 10-year-olds.
Farooq Siddique, community development officer for Bristol Muslim Cultural Society and a governor at Bannerman Road, said many schoolchildren, 70% of whom are Muslim, were too young to define heterosexuality and homosexuality.
'Not a priority'
He said: "The agenda was to reduce homophobic bullying, and all the parents said they were not against that side of it, but families were saying to us 'Our child is coming home and talking about same-sex relationships, when we haven't even talked about heterosexual relationships with them yet.'
"In Islam homosexual relationships are not acceptable, as they are not in Christianity and many other religions, but the main issue is that they didn't bother to consult with parents. There was no option to withdraw the child."
He added: "Homosexuality is not a priority to parents, but academic achievement is. This just makes parents think 'What the heck is my child being taught at school?'."
A spokeswoman for the council said: "All Bristol schools have a legal duty to report and deal with homophobic harassment as part of the curriculum since April 2007.
"As part of this, schools can choose to seek specialist advice and training on topics such as homophobia.
"We are now liaising with community forums in the city, local clerics, teachers' unions, the Institute of Community Cohesion and the Equality and Human Rights Commission to ensure that the topic can be addressed in an inclusive manner in the curriculum."
The agenda here was not to pursue some sinister 'pro' gay agenda but to combat homophobic bullying. How well the material actually succeeded, or how inappropriate it may have in fact been, I can't comment on as (just like you) I haven't seen it. However, the simple fact is that 'playground' education on any subject sex related - in the UK at least - is years in advance of 'classroom' education. If you don't get the message across when they are young it will be too late to shift the attitudes already there. The message here is that it is wrong to bully or abuse gay people (or in the case of kids people including other kids they think might be gay, which is NOT always the same thing), not to 'promote' homosexuality.
why is it not OK to bully or abuse gay people for being gay?
"War does not determine who is right - only who is left."
- Bertrand Russell
"He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat." - Napoleon Bonaparte
"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the
enemy." - George Washington
Sometimes what is meant to be a positive step can turn into a negative depending upon how it is carried out. I think most of us would agree that bullying and assault upon anyone, regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation is something our children should be taught to avoid. However, "educating" 7 year olds about homosexual lifestyles probably isn't necessary....at least wait until their high school years.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
Its one of the good point of appearance of muslim immigrant in western Europe. They can help to stop the gay propaganda.
I suspect they will prompt exactly the opposite though.
Ever since 9/11 and Islam hitting the news (I can honestly say that many of us where I'm at knew nothing at all about islam before that) anti-religious sentiment has been growing rapidly. And there is little secular reasoning to be anti-homosexual. Like it or not, homosexuality is already becoming accepted and will be as accepted as mixed race couples a decade from now.
why is it not OK to bully or abuse gay people for being gay?
I'm afraid the very fact you asked that question indicates that I will never be able to provide you with an answer that will satisfy you. I will, however, try.
For the same reason it is not OK to bully people because they happen to be black, white, any other colour, Jewish, Christian, muslim, disabled (physically or mentally), men, women, intelligent, rather less intelligent, support City not United, or just about anything else you can think of.
Or, in short, because they are human beings, just like you.
I suspect they will prompt exactly the opposite though.
Ever since 9/11 and Islam hitting the news (I can honestly say that many of us where I'm at knew nothing at all about islam before that) anti-religious sentiment has been growing rapidly. And there is little secular reasoning to be anti-homosexual. Like it or not, homosexuality is already becoming accepted and will be as accepted as mixed race couples a decade from now.
You suspect that Europe will be secular forever, but this continent may be very different in next 40 years, and acceptance of sexual deviance might not be as wide as now.
This country is dying because of a lack of men, not a lack of programs.
Yes, and three dimensional calculus too. I was teaching my 7 year old just today how to calculate saddle points.
You haven't given him or her the 'birds and the bees' talk yet, though, right?
Homosexuality is kind of erm... linked.
Anyone have any extracts from these books? If it says something along the lines of 'don't bully anyone regardless of their gender, race, religion, sexuality, ice cream preference etc', then I doubt there would be much of an issue.
I'm afraid the very fact you asked that question indicates that I will never be able to provide you with an answer that will satisfy you. I will, however, try.
so you were able to since my disgust with regard to the subject?
format_quote Originally Posted by Trumble
For the same reason it is not OK to bully people because they happen to be black, white, any other colour, Jewish, Christian, muslim, disabled (physically or mentally), men, women, intelligent, rather less intelligent, support City not United, or just about anything else you can think of.
The part where I disagree is bolded italics, you dont just "happen to be" gay.. It is a conscious choice in lifestyle made by an individual, I dont think it is OK to bully or make fun of someone who "happens" to be a certain way (ie race, etc) but if you choose a lifestyle that is not only immoral and disgusting but also very easily picked at and widely discouraged you shouldnt expect people to not react in one way or another. Personally I will never teach my kid not to bully a queer, I will teach her rather that it is wrong to be that way and to steer far and clear from anyone who may display such a personality
format_quote Originally Posted by Trumble
Or, in short, because they are human beings, just like you.
not just like me, they are anatomically similar, but otherwise I am nothing like a homo
"War does not determine who is right - only who is left."
- Bertrand Russell
"He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat." - Napoleon Bonaparte
"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the
enemy." - George Washington
why is it not OK to bully or abuse gay people for being gay?
I have absolutly no idea.
This is what keeps puzzling me. I was walking along through Halifax indoor market the other day, and I saw this bloke holding hands with another.
Naturally, I, in accordance with Gods law, grabbed a wrecking bar from a road workers hut and chased after them.
Smashing it into the first ones face, i was pleased to see the abomination before Gods head burst open. Turning my attention to the other, I was aware that his vile actions, required more suffering than the first , so breaking his ribs with the first blow, i simply kicked and kicked at his head , explaining how God would judge him.
To my utter astonishment, two interfering policemen arressted me. They diddnt seem to care about Gods law, just some pansy human law.
I tell ya, I got 14 years in jail just for doing some good.
This world is going to the dogs.
Sincerely.
Barney
Wandsworth Nick.
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
While I don't accept the homosexual lifestyle as being a good thing, I would never under any circumstances condone the beating or murder of a person due to their sexual orientation. Since I'm not homosexual, I don't frequent gay bars or participate in gay parades...so my interaction with that lifestyle is obviously limited. I don't like fans of Hannah Montana either...which is why I tend not to go to her concerts or watch the Disney channel.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
so you were able to since my disgust with regard to the subject?
I'd actually call it bigotism with a religious veneer, but yes, I suppose...
The part where I disagree is bolded italics, you dont just "happen to be" gay.. It is a conscious choice in lifestyle made by an individual
Conscious choice? As is your religion. Although there is no choice regarding sexual orientation, just sexual practice.
but if you choose a lifestyle that is not only immoral and disgusting but also very easily picked at and widely discouraged you shouldnt expect people to not react in one way or another.
You mean immoral and disgusting in your opinion? Personally I think gay people have every right not to expect people to behave like moronic five year olds, but there you go.
not just like me, they are anatomically similar, but otherwise I am nothing like a homo
Unless there is something very odd about you, they are likely to be anatomically identical. A question. Who (or what) is responsible for the existence of gay people?
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
A question. Who (or what) is responsible for the existence of gay people?
Gayness is Satan twisting peoples minds into vile abominations of the perfection that was intended. Thse sick warped people submit to their lust in wanton disregard to Gods commandments.
Gayness is a new phenomena and began in the west, with the destruction of Moral values as people turned away from Gods word. Nowadays gays are allowed to be protected from the rightious indignation of God fearing people , and your not even allowed to put them in Lunatic Asylums any more for being queer.
Once people accept Gods just and unconditional love for all of humanity, they wont feel the need to be sick perverted abominations who should be clubbed into extinction.
(im getting good at this)
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
Gayness is Satan twisting peoples minds into vile abominations of the perfection that was intended. Thse sick warped people submit to their lust in wanton disregard to Gods commandments.
Gayness is a new phenomena and began in the west, with the destruction of Moral values as people turned away from Gods word. Nowadays gays are allowed to be protected from the rightious indignation of God fearing people , and your not even allowed to put them in Lunatic Asylums any more for being queer.
Once people accept Gods just and unconditional love for all of humanity, they wont feel the need to be sick perverted abominations who should be clubbed into extinction.
(im getting good at this)
To be serious for a second...it is hard for people of faith to accept what we consider a seriously sinful lifestyle to be "normalized". Especially in regards to the society we want our children to be raised in. That doesn't mean violence against these people is justified, by any stretch of the imagination, but boiling it down to simple close-minded bigotry is wrong as well. I choose to ignore the gay lifestyle and I'm lucky enough to live in an area where my family isn't really exposed to it...besides on television of course. I'm not saying they shouldn't be familiar with reality...but that isn't a lifestyle I want my children to consider "normal"...because to a person of faith it is quite far from normal.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
To be serious for a second...it is hard for people of faith to accept what we consider a seriously sinful lifestyle to be "normalized". Especially in regards to the society we want our children to be raised in. That doesn't mean violence against these people is justified, by any stretch of the imagination, but boiling it down to simple close-minded bigotry is wrong as well. I choose to ignore the gay lifestyle and I'm lucky enough to live in an area where my family isn't really exposed to it...besides on television of course. I'm not saying they shouldn't be familiar with reality...but that isn't a lifestyle I want my children to consider "normal"...because to a person of faith it is quite far from normal.
Bah.
I had just bought a shedful of wholesale Pitchforks.
Now what am I gonna do with em?
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
There is no question that it is highly bad to hurt or persecute gays and lesbians. They are human beings, we shoudl treat them with respect and show them kindness. It's just that gay activists(who are often different from average homoseuxals) dont make it easier to people with more traditional point of view.The thing is that gay activists are in the avangarde of every "progressive",leftist and anti christian movements in this world.They are not poor minority(at leats here in West) but they are good organizes rich organization which has millions of dollars to fight for their revolution. Because it is what they want, a social and sexual revolution, with no respect to tradition and religion.I also wonder what minorities will defend the children of nowadays gay activists.Because it is clear that these political and ideological cirlces need "opressed" minorities to defend(women,children,immigrants,).
This country is dying because of a lack of men, not a lack of programs.
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