Should the teacher at Alsager School who punished two students for refusing to worship Allah be dismissed?

Question

Last week two students at this local authority funded comprehensive school were given detention by the head of religious studies for refusing to kneel down and worship Allah during a religious studies lesson. Although the students are not Muslims, an attempt has been made to justify the punishment by claiming that their refusal was

"disrespectful" to the prophet.

Answer 1

Although I am not a Christian, and most certainly not a Muslim, this teacher was wrong. I am all for teaching comparative religion to all SENIOR children, NO ONE should be compelled to act as if they are praying to god they do not believe in.

I believe that the teaching of ANY and ALL religions to children, at home and school should be banned.

What is the Jesuits say,"Give me child till 10 year old and I've got it for life"? Not sure of the exact words, but.

Answer 2

I am an atheist & believe its up to the individual if they want to

believe in god.Has for the teacher he or she had no right what so ever to force anyone to pray to a God they do not

believe in.I would reprimand the teacher telling them if it happens again they will be immediately dismissed.

Answer 3

It Alsager School a Muslim School?  Were the two students Mulims?

You don't give enough in your question - where is Alsager School?  Is this link below the correct school in your question?

http://www.alsagerschool.co.uk/

You see, al Sagar is an Arabic name - no matter how you look at it, the chances are that the school inquestion is an Islamic School.

Islamic Call to Prayer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAvlimEYE...

Answer 4

I wouldn't say dismissed, but something should be done, thats a ridiculous thing to do it's a ''free country'' after all. I almost went to Alsager school, i'm glad i never did.

Answer 5

I can't say i know what a Alsager  School is but nobody should be punished for what they don't want believe in - that's just wrong, everyone is entitled to their own oppinion and should be respected for that.

Answer 6

It sounded like a pretty stupid lesson plan.  But it makes me think they've probably made people 'worship' other gods as well, like the Christian god, and making any student worship a god they believed in or not would be grounds for firing in the US.  But hey, it's the UK.  I don't know if it's against their laws.

Answer 7

In the UK, that's religious prejudice. Dismissal might possibly be a step too far (it depends what the punishment they dished out was, maybe) but the teacher should definitely be warned that punishing pupils for their religious beliefs or non-beliefs is wrong by law.

Answer 8

Yes. No child should be forced to worship Allah, let alone non muslim children.