The school lesson is entitled: “Why Did Islam Spread So Quickly?” It is a lesson being met with controversy.
One Ozarks parent is saying that Islam should not be taught in schools as part of history in world religion. It’s part of a core curriculum class in Nixa Public Schools for junior high and high school students.
Nixa School District Officials said it is part of a history course: “Religion in the Middle East.”
Jay Cerna has two children in Nixa Public Schools, one in junior high and the other a sophomore in high school.
He told KSPR he just found about about a recent history lesson.
“Half a page, two-thirds, for Christianity, another two-thirds for Judaism, then there was probably 7 or 8 pages for Islam. Our kids are being indoctrinated to accept Islam. Some of the things were stated as a way as if they were fact, instead of saying this is what Muslims believe,” Cerna said.
Zac Rantz is the Chief Communication Officer for Nixa Public Schools. He said Islam is a key part of a history class on religion in the Middle East.
“We’re trying to educate everybody. And when you study world history, you study various regions and they’re studying the Middle East. And everything in the Middle East does revolve around the Muslim religion, and how that impacted population density, beliefs and things still evident today,” Rantz said.
Rantz said there is a balance of the religion being taught in history.
“When we studied Europe, you’ll see a lot of how Christianity impacted Europe,” Rantz said.
Cerna said there is not a balance when it comes to the topic of Islam.
“In a day when Christianity is being kicked out of the schools, for somebody to open the doors to be teaching our children [Islam], without our knowledge was pretty disturbing,” Cerna said. “I’m not saying the teachers or local school district is trying to do anything nefarious, but I think there are a lot of people trapped in bureaucracy who don’t want to lose their jobs, maybe afraid to speak out. So if the teachers can’t speak out, then the parents need to.”
“We’re not about converting anybody to any religion it’s all about the facts about what happened and here’s how it impacted it,” Rantz said.
“As far as our children, they are not going to be learning about Islam. If we have to pull them out of the schools, or take further action, we will. I’d rather be the one to teach my child about Christ and Judaism, I don’t need the schools to teach that,” Cerna said.
Cerna said he is speaking out so other parents are aware. Both parties: Cerna and Nixa School District officials are planning to meet Friday to discuss this issue.
Nixa School District officials urge parents to call the school if they have any concerns. They told KSPR the district is always looking at how to make the curriculum better, even making changes when necessary.