Sponsoring a Muslim student group?

[RosemaryO]

Hi. I am a public high school teacher and a Catholic. Some of my Muslim students asked me if I would sponsor their Muslim Student Association group since they need a staff sponsor in order to meet. In my heart I feel that I should do this to represent Catholics as non-judgmental and also to open future doors to the possibility of a Catholic group at our school (we already have a non-denominational Christian group that meets each week) Is there anything wrong with me doing this?

 

[peace2u2]

Hi. I am a public high school teacher and a Catholic. Some of my Muslim students asked me if I would sponsor their Muslim Student Association group since they need a staff sponsor in order to meet. In my heart I feel that I should do this to represent Catholics as non-judgmental and also to open future doors to the possibility of a Catholic group at our school (we already have a non-denominational Christian group that meets each week) Is there anything wrong with me doing this?

Do you have any fellow teachers that are Muslim that they could have asked? Do they know that you are Catholic?

I guess you made a good impression or they wouldn’t have asked you? I don’t know what your involvement would be but usually teachers who sponsor the after school programs do so because they have that interest. So if you are uncomfortable, you should probably decline.

Good luck - your in my prayers.

 

[MaryT777]

I would politely decline if it was a Muslim Student Group.

 

[ProdglArchitect]

If the express purpose of the group is to promote or practice Islamic belief structure, I would decline, citing that you are simply not comfortable hosting such a group. If you don’t feel like telling them you are uncomfortable, tell them that you are simply unable to perform the necessary activities required of a sponsor.

 

[Allegra]

What would your duties as a sponsor require and what would the purpose of the group be?

I’m assuming there are no Muslim staff members and that is why they need you to be sponsor. If the purpose of the group was to provide Muslim students fellowship and prayer, and you would only have to be responsible for supervision and making sure they follow school rules, I don’t see a problem with it. If the purpose was to evangelize Muslim beliefs, then I would be concerned.

 

[aemcpa]

What would your duties as a sponsor require and what would the purpose of the group be?

I’m assuming there are no Muslim staff members and that is why they need you to be sponsor. If the purpose of the group was to provide Muslim students fellowship and prayer, and you would only have to be responsible for supervision and making sure they follow school rules, I don’t see a problem with it. If the purpose was to evangelize Muslim beliefs, then I would be concerned.

 

[ChibiViolet]

I would politely decline if it was a Muslim Student Group.

This sounds like what you should do.

 

[WingsOfEagles]

What would your duties as a sponsor require and what would the purpose of the group be?

I’m assuming there are no Muslim staff members and that is why they need you to be sponsor. If the purpose of the group was to provide Muslim students fellowship and prayer, and you would only have to be responsible for supervision and making sure they follow school rules, I don’t see a problem with it. If the purpose was to evangelize Muslim beliefs, then I would be concerned.

This is how I’m leaning too. As someone who works in public schools, we’re supposed to promote free thought, but not if it causes us to go against our own beliefs. If all you have to do is sit in the room, so that they can talk/pray, I don’t see a problem with it. If they want you to have a more active role than that, I would politely decline. You could probably even explain to them that you are Catholic and so can’t really lead them in discussion about the Muslim faith.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

What would your duties as a sponsor require and what would the purpose of the group be?

I’m assuming there are no Muslim staff members and that is why they need you to be sponsor. If the purpose of the group was to provide Muslim students fellowship and prayer, and you would only have to be responsible for supervision and making sure they follow school rules, I don’t see a problem with it. If the purpose was to evangelize Muslim beliefs, then I would be concerned.

I totally agree with this.

 

[mick_tinetti]

Hi. I am a public high school teacher and a Catholic. Some of my Muslim students asked me if I would sponsor their Muslim Student Association group since they need a staff sponsor in order to meet. In my heart I feel that I should do this to represent Catholics as non-judgmental and also to open future doors to the possibility of a Catholic group at our school (we already have a non-denominational Christian group that meets each week) Is there anything wrong with me doing this?

I would not prepare what u have to say ahead of time but pray that the Spirit choose your words at that moment and that He lead you to do His will always. The bible tells us to do that. I would also pray for their conversion by using the prayer for conversion that Jesus gave us through St. Faustina: “O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus, as a fount of Mercy for us, I Trust in You.” Say this prayer three times since our God is a Triune God. Jesus promises to convert people to Catholicism if it is prayed with a contrite heart. Remember: Jesus is Love and Mercy itself. Express this to your students if the Spirit moves u to do so. In the Diary of St. Faustina Jesus tells us to tell EVERYONE of His Mercy. He intends all love and worship Him. We are His prayer warriors. Anytime you see a non-Catholic or know someone that has fallen away from the Church or someone sinning in another way pray this prayer for their soul. It glorifies Jesus.

God Bless,

Mick

 

[robwar]

Hi. I am a public high school teacher and a Catholic. Some of my Muslim students asked me if I would sponsor their Muslim Student Association group since they need a staff sponsor in order to meet. In my heart I feel that I should do this to represent Catholics as non-judgmental and also to open future doors to the possibility of a Catholic group at our school (we already have a non-denominational Christian group that meets each week) Is there anything wrong with me doing this?

No and politely decline as another poster suggested. You will end up being used to show to others that a Catholic supports Islam. They should find a Muslim to sponsor their own group.

 

[mick_tinetti]

I would not prepare what u have to say ahead of time but pray that the Spirit choose your words at that moment and that He lead you to do His will always. The bible tells us to do that. I would also pray for their conversion by using the prayer for conversion that Jesus gave us through St. Faustina: “O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus, as a fount of Mercy for us, I Trust in You.” Say this prayer three times since our God is a Triune God. Jesus promises to convert people to Catholicism if it is prayed with a contrite heart. Remember: Jesus is Love and Mercy itself. Express this to your students if the Spirit moves u to do so. In the Diary of St. Faustina Jesus tells us to tell EVERYONE of His Mercy. He intends all love and worship Him. We are His prayer warriors. Anytime you see a non-Catholic or know someone that has fallen away from the Church or someone sinning in another way pray this prayer for their soul. It glorifies Jesus.

God Bless,

Mick

Also, you may want to put a lag between your prayer for conversion and your evangelizing. It will give the Spirit time to work in them.

Peace be with you.

Mick

 

[altms]

Hi. I am a public high school teacher and a Catholic. Some of my Muslim students asked me if I would sponsor their Muslim Student Association group since they need a staff sponsor in order to meet. In my heart I feel that I should do this to represent Catholics as non-judgmental and also to open future doors to the possibility of a Catholic group at our school (we already have a non-denominational Christian group that meets each week) Is there anything wrong with me doing this?

My first question would be, what will exactly be your role as sponsor?

Personally I wouldn’t mind; I’ve studied with Muslims all my life, I have some Muslim family, some of the girls were my best friends at uni (people thought I’m a Muslim!) infact I work at a college with Muslim bosses and I teach lots of Muslim students. So I have a fair knowledge on Islam and all its etiquette.

However my experiences aren’t the same as yours, so I understand if you’re uncomfortable. But I advise you not to fear. You should be proud those students chose you to come to with that request.

Remember we all pray to one God, we’re all descendants of Abraham and Isaac Pope JPII did a lot in encouraging interfaith relations, (even praying in a mosque once), and I’m sure if you become sponsor they’ll pray for you and you’ll be abundantly blessed.

So long as you know your Catholic faith and where you stand, you won’t be compromised. God bless.

 

[robwar]

Hi. I am a public high school teacher and a Catholic. Some of my Muslim students asked me if I would sponsor their Muslim Student Association group since they need a staff sponsor in order to meet. In my heart I feel that I should do this to represent Catholics as non-judgmental and also to open future doors to the possibility of a Catholic group at our school (we already have a non-denominational Christian group that meets each week) Is there anything wrong with me doing this?

A couple of questions.
Have you discussed this with your priest?
Likewise, I am surprised that a public high school is allowing religious groups in the first place. do you know why these kids asked you as apposed to another staff member? Do you know what Mosque most of the the students attend and what that mosque is teaching?
You are not obligated to show that you are “fair and open minded”. Sometimes, we can be so open minded that our brains fall out. Islam is a very aggressive proselytizing faith and student groups like this are meant to spread Islam among unsuspecting students. I guess i keep thinking of an eight year old Catholic boy, standing watching a parade when some nice (everyone who knew him said that) Muslim boy that went to an exclusive high school, wrestled, was on school committees, went to the prom, was awarded 25K to go to school plants a home made bomb at his feet. It kills him and maims his mother and sister for life.
Yet, we get so worried about being seen as fair and open minded towards Islam that we are willing to forget an 8 year old Catholic boy that is now dead that was killed in its name who will never now go to the prom, wrestle, or have the chance at any scholarship. In honor of that lost child, I would politely turn them down.

 

[Therese_Martin]

Moved from the CA Blog forum to Non-Catholic Religions.

 

[altms]

A couple of questions.
Have you discussed this with your priest?
Likewise, I am surprised that a public high school is allowing religious groups in the first place. do you know why these kids asked you as apposed to another staff member? Do you know what Mosque most of the the students attend and what that mosque is teaching?
You are not obligated to show that you are “fair and open minded”. Sometimes, we can be so open minded that our brains fall out. Islam is a very aggressive proselytizing faith and student groups like this are meant to spread Islam among unsuspecting students. I guess i keep thinking of an eight year old Catholic boy, standing watching a parade when some nice (everyone who knew him said that) Muslim boy that went to an exclusive high school, wrestled, was on school committees, went to the prom, was awarded 25K to go to school plants a home made bomb at his feet. It kills him and maims his mother and sister for life.
Yet, we get so worried about being seen as fair and open minded towards Islam that we are willing to forget an 8 year old Catholic boy that is now dead that was killed in its name who will never now go to the prom, wrestle, or have the chance at any scholarship. In honor of that lost child, I would politely turn them down.

Without wanting to turn this into another discussion, I’ll just point out that you’re absolutely wrong about Islam. Don’t make your judgements based on a few morons who strap themselves with bombs and blow themselves up. That is not what Islam is about.

If she’ll make a decision, it should be based on how comfortable she feels, not because of what Islam is perceived to be in the media.

 

[robwar]

Without wanting to turn this into another discussion, I’ll just point out that you’re absolutely wrong about Islam. Don’t make your judgements based on a few morons who strap themselves with bombs and blow themselves up. That is not what Islam is about.

If she’ll make a decision, it should be based on how comfortable she feels, not because of what Islam is perceived to be in the media.

A Catholic shouldn’t be sponsoring a high school religion group that denies Christ. There is a consistent pattern in High schools and colleges and it is well documented that small groups are formed and used to aggressively prosletyze to others and likewise end up harassing Jews and Christians that are on campus. I didn’t make this stuff up. Islam denies that Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Op sounds like a very nice teacher and a concerned Catholic. Likewise, Muslim student groups start demanding separate prayer rooms, foot washing stations and a bunch of other accommodations that are never granted to other religions or religious groups. Op would be better to contact Jihadwatch.com which contains much more information about Muslim student groups on high school and college campus and what to do.

 

[mick_tinetti]

Also, you may want to put a lag between your prayer for conversion and your evangelizing. It will give the Spirit time to work in them.

Peace be with you.

Mick

The Novena to the Holy Spirit starts nine days before Pentecost Sunday. It promises to give us Spiritual Graces and Help us toward perfection (Diary of St Faustina 1488).

The Novena is May 10 - May 19 this year.

Mick

 

[aemcpa]

The Novena is May 10 - May 19 this year.

May 10-18; otherwise it would be a ten-day novena.

 

[RosemaryO]

First of all, thanks to everyone for your answers. The students know that I am Catholic. I am not expected to participate other than being in the building to supervise. Our school does allow religious groups after hours but formally states that these groups are not school-sponsored (and teacher advisers are not paid. we do this voluntarily) These are great kids and are so appreciative of a non-Muslim adult willing to give their time once a week so that they can meet. I am just wondering if I am doing the right thing or not? I will talk to a my priest as well. That is a good idea.