Why are Islamic principles promoted in Chicago schools, but Christian principles discouraged?

Question

I am concerned because in my friends daughters public school lunch program, items containing pork have to be identified. Also, during Ramadan, No pork products are served. Did I misunderstand? You can't pray in school, but your diet is monitored and controlled by Allah? I can understand listing foods such as peanuts for medical reasons, but not foods for religious reasons. Does this happen elsewhere, or just in Chicago district schools? Does anyone find this disturbing?

Answer 1

I suspect that you either misunderstand, or are deliberately misrepresenting, what is going on.

First, items with pork should be identified for any who want to avoid it. BTW, Jews also do not eat pork. Does this only bother you because Muslims don't eat pork, or would you have the same reaction (Jewish "principles" being promoted) if it were because of Jewish dietary laws that pork items were identified?

Second. Please provide a link to what you are asserting. How do any of us know that you are accurately relaying factual information?

Third. Kids CAN pray in public school, under a lot of different circumstances. Please stop promulgating this lie. I know that you don't want to be passing along lies, so please familiarize yourself with the *actual and factual* guidelines for religious expression in public schools:

http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.htm

Forth - if a school has decided to provide only no-pork meals during Ramadan, it's probably due to other factors, because Ramadan is a time of fasting for Muslims, from sunup to sundown. So in what way is the school promoting Islamic principles? Are they requiring all the kids to fast?


Last, which "Christian principles" do you think are being discouraged? You only mentioned prayer, and this is the opportune time to remind you what YOUR holy scripture says about that: Matthew 6:5-6


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I really will not believe you on any of this unless and until you provide verifiable data from a reputable news source.

Answer 2

First, I am not a Muslim. And,I see nothing wrong with this if there are a number of Muslim children there. I would expect the same if there were a number of Jewish children at the school. Muslims and Jews (and many Christians) do not eat pork.

And, you are wrong on and misunderstand no pork during Ramadan. If the children are observing Ramadan, they would not be eating at all, so it would not matter what is served. Ramadan calls for fasting from sun-up to sun-down. There is no need to not have pork.

I think the school system is following a very good policy. The public schools cater to all children, and sometimes there must be give and take.

Answer 3

I'm Christian and I don't see it as a big deal. I think it's an attempt to be sensitive to other religions and that's fine with me. Personally, I only eat lean cuts of pork, so I wouldn't want whatever pork products they were serving in the school cafeteria anyway. If my kids really wanted a ham sandwhich, I'd send in lunch from home.

Answer 4

i dont understand why you are making such a big deal out of this, its not like they baned pork in the menu forever. this is called community living. Stop acting like you own the place. Something selfish petty americans like yourself really need to work on. Learn to compromise a bit and respect others.

Answer 5

i'm not sure where you're getting all of your information from, but as a product of the chicago public school system, i can assure you that they try to be as politically correct as possible for EVERYONE. during lent, there are non-meat selections in the cafeteria and there are ALWAYS vegetarian selections that are available for those that choose not to eat meat, having nothing to do with religion. items that contain pork are not only "catering" to islamic beliefs but also jewish beliefs as well. i think that the public school system does the best that they can to please everyone, but as you have deminstrated...you can't please everyone.

Answer 6

I dont see anything at all wrong with this because all people should be respected praying & eating are two totally different areas. Even if your friends child is not muslim pork should be discouraged from any diet it is very unhealthy. Why would that bother you at all that those people are trying to respect a minority it is not pushing the religion on anyone like praying would do.

Answer 7

You ARE allowed to pray in school as long as a teacher or principal doesn't lead the prayer. Also, I doubt you'd have an issue if it was being listed for Jewish students.

Answer 8

I find it disturbing.

Why are they pacifying one group over another.