A forum Tuesday night addressed the current Middle Tennessee controversy of how to teach religion in schools.
Related story: Hundreds Demand School Board Step Down For Textbook With Islamic Teachings
The event was put on by the interfaith group, Family of Abraham.
Religious Scholar Dr. David R. Brockman was the guest speaker at the meeting. He conducted an independent review of public school textbooks up for adoption in Texas in 2014.
"Educating them about religions is also educating them about good citizenship," Brockman said about public school students. He says with the ever-diversifying state of the country it's important for children to be confronted with beliefs different than their own.
But it's also important to include context and even the less-than-savory aspects of a particular religion's history.
"Historically and today Islam is a religion of peace," Brockman said, "they're peaceful people. But there has been a record of violence in the history of Islam. There's also been a record of violence in the history of Christianity."
He said while he did not study the Tennessee textbooks in question, upon further examination similar books in Texas did not yield a pro-Muslim bias, as many parents were concerned about in the Lone Star State.
In fact, he said he found more pro-Christian bias than anything else.
Brockman is a Christian religious studies scholar and theologian who currently serves as non-resident scholar at the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
He also teaches religious studies at Southern Methodist University and Texas Christian University, and Christian theology at Brite Divinity School.
The Family of Abraham represents the three Abrahamic faiths and other traditions, and aims to advance understanding through conversations, speakers and educational forums.
The forum titled, “Our Kids, Islam and Public Schools” started at 7 p.m. at Congregation Micah in Brentwood.
To read the current school standards and give your feedback click here.
