Yorkshire School Protest

[mushroom25]

oh dear.....
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/live-angry-parent-protest-batley-20250996

the teacher must have known the likely reaction, and that it was likely to be a career ending move. why on earth.......???

[david small]

Yet another nail being allowed to be nailed into the coffin of English free speech and open education.
Our grandchildren better learn the direction to Mecca.

[fender62]

so they all gathered in front of school together, religion trumps social distancing, and plod does nothing, unless your caught having a cuppa with your neighbor, oh community sensitivites social cohesion, but only on there terms.

[andy-hughes]

Untitled - // I am not sure it is a bad thing for students to be offended in school andy hughes... or indeed to experience many other negative emotions... provided of course it is for an educational purpose rather than just nastiness. //

I think I understated my point by simply using the term 'offensive' which does not begin to convey the utter horror and distress that this would cause to any devout Muslim, in a way which is probably hard to comprehend with our western attitudes, but very real and upsetting to such believers.

It goes way beyond simply offending someone's sensibilities, which can then lead on to legitimate debate - this is far more serious than that.

[andy-hughes]

david small - // Yet another nail being allowed to be nailed into the coffin of English free speech and open education. //

This is nothing to do with 'free speech' or 'open education' and brings to mind the oft-used quote (most often used by me on this site!) -

Free speech does not entitle someone falsely to shout 'Fire!' in a crowded theatre.

The concept of free speech does not entitle anyone to say anything anywhere - that's not how it works.

[Jackdaw33]

What is the point of Islamic art, or any other art for that matter, if it is not allowed to be displayed?

[Peter Pedant]

// What is the point of Islamic art, or any other art for that matter, if it is not allowed to be displayed?//

because art goes in cycles ( sort of wiv iconoclasm)

[naomi24]

I wonder if the cartoons were of the Jesus & Mo variety - humour with a touch of irony thrown in at its best? If so, the question must be ‘Why aren’t Christians offended?’ - and more to the point why should those who are so often offended expect the world to kowtow to their precious foibles?

[tomus42]

Andy-hughes, just because someone is offended, doesn't make them right.

If people suffer utter horror and distress over a drawing, they probably need to have a think about whether that's rational or responsible adult behaviour.

Obviously I realise they won't because that's not how religion works. It's a shame though isn't it.

[brainiac]

I think the cartoon that was shown was the one published in Charlie Hebdo - presumably to spark a discussion in the classroom, and show what caused the loss of life. Seems like an honest mistake, but I fear for the teacher's well-being once his/her name comes out, as it quickly will.

[Mamyalynne]

I agree with Mushroom, this sounds like a teacher who's tired of teaching.

[tomus42]

Tired of life possibly too Lynne. Whatever, it shouldn't warrant all this outrage and attention.

[Jackdaw33]

I note that the school concerned is a grammar school. I didn't think there were any left up north.

[fender62]

ridiculous religious ferver, education is to show things examine them, debate etc, offended ooh then all naked statues and paintings whould be covered up, and adverts with women in bikinis stopped as it may offend me and meat in adverts stopped, religion should not take precedence as it may offend, im offended the pictures cannot be shown to children or anyone else for that matter, id have the pics on every tv commerical billboards news papers, what do you think they would do...burn the country down, if they tried they do not belong here.

[Mamyalynne]

That you getting all fervid Fender?

[naomi24]

Complacency equates to submission. Rather you than me.

[douglas9401]

I'm organising a demo outside a crowded theatre to ban the 'fire' brigade.

Maybe use the hackneyed Empire

[Mamyalynne]

:-) Doug.


Don't confuse not leaping up and down and getting agitated with complacency.

[Untitled]

"It says caricature, which by definition is not exactly respectful or educational in an RS class"

Why not? It doesn't mean the teacher was presenting them in a condoning or supportive way. We do not know what these resources were or what they were intended to explain.... I would agree if the teacher said "now children lets all get out our pencils and draw mohammed" but I doubt that is the case. I would like to hear the teacher's defence.

[Untitled]

"which does not begin to convey the utter horror and distress that this would cause to any devout Muslim, in a way which is probably hard to comprehend with our western attitudes, but very real and upsetting to such believers. "

And sometimes it is necessary to feel horrified or upset especially in education.... I do not know if this was one of them because we have not been given enough information... but sometimes it is.... learning about the world is not always a pleasant or harmonious experience... and I do not agree that horror and distress over images is all that strange to western culture.

[naomi24]

//the term 'offensive' which does not begin to convey the utter horror and distress that this would cause to any devout Muslim, in a way which is probably hard to comprehend with our western attitudes, but very real and upsetting to such believers. //

That conveys a notion of softness which I don't believe exists. In my opinion anger and thoughts of retribution are the more likely response.