We sorta have those classes teaching about the different religions/ races over here. I distinctively remember those in my primary school days. And I bet it's still going on. :P Racial harmony and religious tolerance are big things in Singapore.

And then, I remember there was a similar controversy over here as well cause four girls wore the tudung/headscarf to school and were told to remove them or get expelled. One left voluntarily and the other three were forced to quit by the government, I think. Cause the government was of the opinion that the headscarfs in school would disrupt racial integration. So it wasn't so much of 'don't show people religion!' but more of, 'don't show people obviously you are that significantly different cause we are afraid you'll spoil our plans to make religious tolerance happen!' There's a difference?

I had no idea it was such a big issue until that time, cause I've seen students wearing headscarfs with their uniforms (but turns out they go to Muslim schools who have headscarfs as their uniform anyway -__-) and I've seen Sikhs boys wearing turbans to school. I just thought you applied for permission to wear it from your school and they'll let you, and no one made noise about it until then.

I have no idea what came about at the end of the whole issue though. ._. I think they're still not allowed, unless under special circumstances. But I remember one of my Muslim friends saying that it's not like she's prohibited from wearing the scarf outside school hours, and all schools have their own dress codes that you have to follow, so she was okay with not wearing the scarf for those few hours of school. *shrugs* But I doubt anyone would mind if they did wear them to school anyway.

So maybe the lessons helped, but eh. There's always still room for controversy.

[/ramble]

I completely agree with you here. Taking religious symbols out of school will result in a culture-shock for kids when they're finally released into the real world. "But mommy, I thought you said Jesus was the only savior! Who is Mohammed, and Buddha, and, and, and!?" If you ask me, taking religious tolerance out of school is tantamount to re-introducing racial segregation. You're imposing on other people's right to live and express themselves.

Well, the French hadn't won a war since Napoleon. :P You can't blame their. . .

Small. . .

Um. . .

:D

Rofl. Vicey you really are awesome! I saw that article too and was like "I may not be able to formulate my thoughts clearly, but that shouldn't be allowed to happen!!"

In fact the opposite! If i were to see someone in my school wearing it, i'd just want to ask them a couple of questions, have a conversation. When i walk away, i'll still be christian, but i'll have a deeper knowledge of another religon.

But then again in my school, they'd let anyone wear w/e they want to in class xD

Yay for France inventing lingerie! =O French accents are hot xD

If you think that's the worst France is doing in terms of religious tolerance (or lack there of), you're in for a shock. It gets much worse.

Anyways, I agree that, ideally, it'd be nice to have students be able to learn about all religions in school. I think it'd do amazing things in terms of promoting tolerance. However, the world isn't that nice. There's no way to guarantee that the teachers are going to remain neutral, and I can assure you that many wouldn't. It'd be wonderful theoretically, but it isn't practical.

Holy Vusys! The newcomer is a necromancer!!

O Honorable Paladin, wherefore art thou!?