Deny Holocaust, Not Muslims

**gunnut** · 03 Apr 07,, 19:43

Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims | the Daily Mail

Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims
By LAURA CLARK - More by this author »

Last updated at 11:58am on 2nd April 2007

Schools are dropping the Holocaust from history lessons to avoid offending Muslim pupils, a Governmentbacked study has revealed.

It found some teachers are reluctant to cover the atrocity for fear of upsetting students whose beliefs include Holocaust denial.

Teachers fear backlash over crackdown in the classroom

There is also resistance to tackling the 11th century Crusades - where Christians fought Muslim armies for control of Jerusalem - because lessons often contradict what is taught in local mosques.

The findings have prompted claims that some schools are using history 'as a vehicle for promoting political correctness'.

The study, funded by the Department for Education and Skills, looked into 'emotive and controversial' history teaching in primary and secondary schools.

It found some teachers are dropping courses covering the Holocaust at the earliest opportunity over fears Muslim pupils might express anti-Semitic and anti-Israel reactions in class.

The researchers gave the example of a secondary school in an unnamed northern city, which dropped the Holocaust as a subject for GCSE coursework.

The report said teachers feared confronting 'anti-Semitic sentiment and Holocaust denial among some Muslim pupils'.

It added: "In another department, the Holocaust was taught despite anti-Semitic sentiment among some pupils.

"But the same department deliberately avoided teaching the Crusades at Key Stage 3 (11- to 14-year-olds) because their balanced treatment of the topic would have challenged what was taught in some local mosques."

A third school found itself 'strongly challenged by some Christian parents for their treatment of the Arab-Israeli conflict-and the history of the state of Israel that did not accord with the teachings of their denomination'.

The report concluded: "In particular settings, teachers of history are unwilling to challenge highly contentious or charged versions of history in which pupils are steeped at home, in their community or in a place of worship."

But Chris McGovern, history education adviser to the former Tory government, said: "History is not a vehicle for promoting political correctness. Children must have access to knowledge of these controversial subjects, whether palatable or unpalatable."

The researchers also warned that a lack of subject knowledge among teachers - particularly at primary level - was leading to history being taught in a 'shallow way leading to routine and superficial learning'.

Lessons in difficult topics were too often 'bland, simplistic and unproblematic' and bored pupils.

Isn't Holocaust denial a crime in some European countries? Or perhaps that law only applies to Europeans because muslims are above the law?

**Bluesman** · 03 Apr 07,, 20:29

Originally Posted by gunnut

Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims | the Daily Mail

Isn't Holocaust denial a crime in some European countries? Or perhaps that law only applies to Europeans because muslims are above the law?

Not above it, but seperate. Sharia has no law against Holocaust denial, of course (even encouraging it, from what i can see), and several of Europe's legal structures are trying as hard as they can to allow a seperate Sharia system for Muslims. (Which makes a mockery of 'equal before the bar'.)

Say goodbye to Europe as we knew her. She's slipping away more each day.

**Amled** · 03 Apr 07,, 20:54

[QUOTE=gunnut;361674]Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims | the Daily MailQUOTE]
...and thus it starts!

**Stan187** · 03 Apr 07,, 21:57

Ignoring the Holocaust for the sake of political correctness.... I'd bang my head for hours on end into a wall, but I think that even after all that I wouldn't understand.

So at the early state when these kids are being spoon-fed propaganda from their local mosque, you're going to NOT contradict that and let them grow up retarded bigots? Talk about final solutions.

**gunnut** · 03 Apr 07,, 22:06

Hey are you making fun of the religion of pis...I mean peace?

**Stan187** · 03 Apr 07,, 22:14

Mmmhm, cuz once they kill off all the Jews and then the rest of the Western infidels, peace is inevitable, there wouldn't be many left to fight.

**TopHatter** · 04 Apr 07,, 00:23

Originally Posted by gunnut

Hey are you making fun of the religion of pis...I mean peace?

Knock it off with that kind of talk gunnut.

**Ray** · 04 Apr 07,, 03:45

Peace!

In India, some pronounce 'Peace' as "Pis". 'Beating' as 'bit-ting' (said rapidly), 'Guard' as 'Gird', 'Beach' as "Bit-ch" and so on.

Maybe Gunnut is making fun of such people!

or

**667medic** · 04 Apr 07,, 05:10

So how about the Europeans banning consumption of beef so that the Hindus don't get offended

**gunnut** · 04 Apr 07,, 06:23

Originally Posted by TopHatter

Knock it off with that kind of talk gunnut.

I'm sorry. I will refrain from insulting an entire religion in the future.

But it's so hard...they are so easy to make fun of...

OK OK...no more.

Look what you did Stan. You got me in trouble.

**gunnut** · 04 Apr 07,, 06:25

Originally Posted by Ray

Peace!

In India, some pronounce 'Peace' as "Pis". 'Beating' as 'bit-ting' (said rapidly), 'Guard' as 'Gird', 'Beach' as "Bit-ch" and so on.

Maybe Gunnut is making fun of such people!

or

Good save, Brigadier...

**~~gamercube~~** · 04 Apr 07,, 15:21

It seems that the media is quick to cash in on any opportunity to bash Muslims, especially in the current political climate. They leave out 99% of the findings of the study, and only focus on those which bash their favourite punching bags.

I also noticed how gunnut bolded those lines that mentioned Muslim extremism, but did not bold this one:

A third school found itself 'strongly challenged by some Christian parents for their treatment of the Arab-Israeli conflict-and the history of the state of Israel that did not accord with the teachings of their denomination'.

A more neutral article on the same topic, which talks about ALL the findings of the report, and doesn't just talk about the Muslim bashing part.

BBC NEWS | UK | Education | Schools 'avoid Holocaust lessons'

Schools 'avoid Holocaust lessons'

The Holocaust will be protected in the new curriculum
Some schools avoid teaching the Holocaust and other controversial history subjects as they do not want to cause offence, research has claimed.

Teachers fear meeting anti-Semitic sentiment, particularly from Muslim pupils, the government-funded study by the Historical Association said.

It also said the way the slave trade was taught could leave both white and black children feeling alienated.

Ministers in England had asked for guidance on teaching emotive subjects.

Staff may wish to avoid causing offence or appearing insensitive to individuals or groups in their classes
Historical Association report

When he commissioned the report last year, schools minister Lord Adonis said the national curriculum encouraged teachers to choose content "likely to resonate in their multicultural classrooms" - but some found it difficult to do that.

The Historical Association report claimed: "Teachers and schools avoid emotive and controversial history for a variety of reasons, some of which are well-intentioned.

"Staff may wish to avoid causing offence or appearing insensitive to individuals or groups in their classes.

"In particular settings, teachers of history are unwilling to challenge highly contentious or charged versions of history in which pupils are steeped at home, in their community or in a place of worship."

The report gave the example of a history department in a northern city which decided not to teach the Holocaust as a topic for GCSE coursework.

'Worrying picture'

It cited another school which taught the Holocaust, but then avoided teaching the Crusades because "balanced treatment" of the topic would have challenged what some local mosques were teaching.

Emotive issues such as the slave trade can be taught too blandly, portraying Afro-Caribbeans as victims and isolating black children, the report said.

But when teachers downplay the role of the white authorities in abolishing the slave trade, white children can become alienated.

The report called for resources, which were scarce at present, to be made available to teach controversial and emotional history subjects.

Initial teacher training should include more attention on how to teach these subjects and a better research base should be made available to teachers, it said.

Alan Johnson made clear in January there are certain subjects which will be protected in the new curriculum and that includes the Holocaust
DfES spokesman

And further research into the issue, particularly the attitudes of different groups, families and individuals' to difficult subjects, needed to be carried out.

A government review of citizenship education recommended that all pupils should learn about issues such as slavery and the legacy of the British Empire.

A Department of Education and Skills spokesman said there was scope for schools to make their own decision on what to teach within the national curriculum

But he added: "Teaching of the Holocaust is already compulsory in schools at KS3. It will remain so in the new KS3 curriculum from September 2008.

"As Alan Johnson made clear in January there are certain subjects which will be protected in the new curriculum and that includes the Holocaust."

The department and Understanding Slavery have launched a citizenship resource and a national competition, debate and showcase for Key Stage 3 students to explore the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade.

A Commission for Racial Equality spokesman said the Historical Association report painted a "worrying picture".

"The teaching of history provides the perfect forum for stimulating the development of shared values that are essential if everyone is to contribute and play a full part in an integrated British society."

It was essential that teachers were supported in developing the confidence and expertise to discuss all historical periods and events in a balanced and sensitive way, the spokesman said.

**xerxes** · 04 Apr 07,, 16:44

Originally Posted by gunnut

Isn't Holocaust denial a crime in some European countries? Or perhaps that law only applies to Europeans because muslims are above the law?

No mr Gunnut, Muslims are not above the law, though someone from middle east sees the Jews above the law with their "you are anti-semtism" shotgun.

Needless to say, this is disgracefull that history has to be twisted for a certain group of people, if it indeed truth.

Though, I wonder if the percentage of Americans that are aware of the genocides of Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, the NKVD thugs and Red Guards, is much less than the percentage of middle eastern that have twisted knowledge about Jewish holocaust?

I think not.

**Ray** · 04 Apr 07,, 17:13

Xerxes,

To be fair all those genocide have been condemned.

It does not require explanation, but it is only when something happens close to you, you take greater cognisance of the same than what happens on the periphery of your life, psyche and culture.

Holocaust happened close to home. Islamic terrorism has affected everyone's life. And so, these happenings are embedded in the mind and does make one uncomfortable.

Compare the effect of Islamic terrorism and the Holocaust to the genocide of Armenians and the ones perpetuated by the names that you mentioned in the psychology of those not affected including you. True, you will be concerned, but you will not indicate the same indignation as to what you or your community and nation have personally suffered.

Does the genocides by Pol Pot or Stalin make you break into cold sweat?

So, to be fair, the concern of Islamic terrorism and the Holocaust does warrant a higher notch upon the psychology of those people affected by the same!

What is the Sunni Shia rivalry all about? Same God, but yet it is serious issue to you.

But is it a serious issue with non Moslem? No.

In fact, the non Moslem are thunderstruck as to where lies the issue which causes this rift? Same God and yet this rift is serious. I know it because it affects us in our country, especially during Mohurrum!

**xerxes** · 04 Apr 07,, 17:26

OK, mr ray,

you are correct if the issue is in its recognition by the government, and the higher degree of awareness needed in case of islamic terrorism, which is on the world stage today.

But personnaly speaking, though I greatly deplore the human losses the Jews suffered in the 40s, I do not hold that genocide above all other genocides that this past unfortunate century has seen. That was my point. In North America and Europe, I can tell you that people are more aware the holocaust and Hitler than Stalin long CV of deportation, massacre and massive human losses. Beria, Yezhov, Yagoda comes to mind. Ruthless creatures. I see human beings to be equal. 100 people killed in nameless Siberia effects me more than one jew killed in Europe, and viceversa, 100 Jews killled in Europe effects me more than 2 muslims killed in the ME. I look at numbers, this is not how people see things in North America. Ofcourse, uneducated bigoted people will call me racist and "anti-semtism" for that.

But hey! .. I will stand by my views and I will weather the coming storm.