Muslim Holidays: On Closing the Schools
Posted by Adam Graham in : ChristianityLaShawn Barber writes about a school district that received a request to have the school closed for some Muslim Holidays. They close for Jewish holidays because the cost of getting Jewish substitute teachers is just too expensive. If it ever gets that expensive to bring in substitute teachers for Muslims, they’ll reconsider. LaShawn writes:
I don’t like the idea of government schools in America observing the holidays of a religion I believe is incompatible with the very principles that allow its adherents in America to worship their god in peace.
I disagree with LaShawn. I think the Constitution with the first Amendment’s restriction on federal involvement in religion leaves a lot of this in the hands of states and localities. I don’t think schools closing for Good Friday are really observing Good Friday. They’re recognizing the reality of where their employees and students are going and what they’re needs are. If we ask it for something like Good Friday, or if Jews ask it for Rosh Hashannah, its reasonable to expect Muslims in an area where they grow to be a substantial demographic to have the schools closed for their holidays. Whether we like it or not, its really none of our business.
I would only have a tinge of concern if they explained what these Muslim holidays were all about anymore than they do the Jewish ones. My dad has said that from what he learned in school about Christ, he knew he got a day off because Jesus was born and a day off because he died.
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Comment by randomyak [Member]
Have to agree with you on this one, Adam. The issue is not one of “observing” (if they were truly observing they would have school on the day in question and dedicate the day’s lessons to thematic activities associated with the event – at least that’s what “observing” means in my book). The issue is also what kind of teaching would accompany these new “days off” – and I share your concern that the Muslim activists would want to require not only days off but also explicit instruction in the reason and observance thereof – during regular school house. Instruction not received (or warranted) for other holy days.
Another issue, at least in my mind, is the amount of additional time-off this would require for students who, in many cases, would be better off with more hours in the classroom rather than less. Of course, one could also make a case for more “effective” hours – but then, you read my blog and you know how high I think the likelihood of that is. For others’ benefit – about as likely as the possibility that I might suddenly sprout wings and fly.