Instruction in Islam in a Catholic school

[JamesN]

Could the situation ever exist where instruction in Islam was offered under the auspices of a Catholic school, as is the topic of the article below?

The comments by the dad about the environment to be found within Catholic schools is right on the nail, but my suspicion is that whatever warm fuzzy feeling feeling they bring about is unlikely to result in a fundamentally opposing religion being taught within the confines of one. Any thoughts?

dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline=misbah-set-for-catholic-girls–school%26method=full%26objectid=18576755%26siteid=66633-name_page.html

 

[iserve]

There is no substitute for parental religious education. The whole purpose of parenthood in the Catholic tradition has been to pass on the faith. The same goes for other religions, in this case, Islam. The question here is not will these schools teach Islam, but can they? Why would this father want his child instructed in his faith by a member of another faith? This sounds to me like getting yourself a good doctor to represent you in court!

BTW I would not entrust my child’s instruction to a Catholic school or any other entity. This is a prime responsibility and to neglect it is tantamount to spiritual abuse. As a Confirmation teacher for 12 years, I am amazed at the foolishness of Catholic parents who fail to instruct their kids and leave this to a stranger, who might tell them anything.

 

[jdnation]

Form my experience, Catholic schools fail to teach about their own faith in a proper manner, forget about teaching another… although in religious education we do generally teach politely about other religions. But if you cannot respect your own, then what will make you respect others?

Plus it appears a foolish idea to have a Catholic School instruct about Islam. Not only is it improper to have someone who doesn’t follow your faith instruct your child to live that faith properly, but Catholic schools should not be in any position to teach it as religous faith ought to be taught, other than as general knowledge about another religion and tolerance for it.

Faith must be taught and passed on to children by their parents, and I believe the father should take a chief role in doing so as the Bible instructs (not to say mothers cannot…).

 

[LittleRose]

Catholic schools should not be in any position to teach it as religous faith ought to be taught, other than as general knowledge about another religion and tolerance for it.

Exactly. What the article seems to be saying is that he wants the girl to be instructed in Islam the same way the other students are being instructed in Catholicism. That makes no sense. It is a Catholic School. IF the dad in this situation wants his daughter to recieve formal instruction in her faith, outside of what he is already doing at home, he should hire a tutor.

 

[stbruno]

Exactly. What the article seems to be saying is that he wants the girl to be instructed in Islam the same way the other students are being instructed in Catholicism. That makes no sense. It is a Catholic School. IF the dad in this situation wants his daughter to recieve formal instruction in her faith, outside of what he is already doing at home, he should hire a tutor.

I agree with this poster. Most Catholic high schools have a choice to study world religions. It is an opportunity for Catholics to recognize the diversity in our world and the traditions each religion brings. At times it shows our similarities, not only our differences and any time we can share and learn more about each, I believe fears and bigotry can be resolved. However, to teach any faith to the exclusion of the Catholic faith in a Catholic school does not make any sense. More reasons to pray!