Ron Wagner read from part of his son’s world history book, “There is no god, but God. Muhamad is the messenger of God.”
“Students were instructed to recite this prayer as the first Pillar of Islam, off of the board at the teacher’s instruction,” Wagner claims. “For it to be mandatory and part of the curriculum and in the textbooks, didn’t seem right,” Wagner said.
Blasewitz got frustrated and stormed out when 9 Investigates asked whether the district is considering changes to the curriculum.
“You’re just going to walk away from our interview when we’re trying to get information,” said investigative reporter Daralene Jones.
Before Blasewitz walked out, he further justified the curriculum, saying students learn specific Judaism doctrine, the Bible and its scriptures, in earlier school years.
“If anything, it’s a little imbalanced toward Christianity and Judaism,” Blasewitz said.
Federal law allows schools to teach aboutreligion, because it’s part of history. But public schools may not teach religion.
“There’s a difference between teaching of the significance or the impact of a religion and teaching the specific tenets of a religion,” Wagner said.
