London – UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has issued a recommendation that Islam be taught as a way of satisfying the new GCSE religious studies curriculum which requires that a second faith be taught to students beginning next September.
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THEJC.com (http://bit.ly/1IaK1Zs) reports that Mrivis’ suggestion comes on the heels of a controversial new government initiative that requires GCSE religious studies curriculum students to spend 25% of their time studying a second faith.
The initiative is aimed at countering religious extremism while promoting tolerance.
A spokesman for Mirvis said teaching Islam would provide a “valuable opportunity” for students to obtain a better understanding of the “poorly understand” religion of Islam.
Makes sense – for all of its ills, Islam is not considered Avodah Zara because it recognizes Hashem as the One Creator of the Universe.
This is crazy, the religion of Islam is a bloodthirsty religion. Go ahead, educate more kids to go murder for allah.
#1 and you are the poisek hador to decide such a serious issues….such issues are the dept of poiskay hador.. Who they are? Let me hear what you think. Name a few..
Although well intention-ed it will end up a mistake. The extremist will take over the young. This plays right into ISIS hands. I hope the Rabbi will reconsider.
sounds like s great idea i’m sure they can find some members of isis to teach it
Be interesting how they’ll explain the excerpts that recommend killing the infidels!
Crazy idea. What’s with this rabbi?
Makes 100 percent sense. Its important that yidden understand the real theology of Islam and that it shares so many values with yiddeshkeit.
What makes no sense is to study a Religious Studies GCSE and only learn about your own particular religion. Personally, in order to get this certificate, I would suggest that the student learns about even more religions.
Remember, this is not a limuidei kodesh class, this is in order to get a nationally recognised certificate.
? If it’s not avodah zarah, then what’s that crescent moon doing on top of a mosque?
While it is not forbidden for Bnei Noach to believe in the Trinity (its called shituf), they are not allowed to serve it. Islam also has elements of Avodah Zarah (throwing stones at Mecca=Markulis). See sefer Sheva Mitzvos Hashem from Rabbi Moshe Weiner.
I do wonder why the good Rabbi is advocating teaching Islam to all children (even to Jews!) while the world is in a crisis over how to approach the Muslim Religion. It would be much better if he, and other Rabbis in England advocated the teaching of Sheva Mitzvos which is fundamental to all religions, and does not contradict Judaism.
is this rabbi orthodox?