Muslims' fury forces schools to shelve anti-homophobia storybooks for 5-year-olds

by greg1usa | April 1, 2008 at 08:59 pm | 475 views | 6 comments

Muslims' fury forces schools to shelve anti-homophobia storybooks for 5-year-oldsBy LAURA CLARK - More by this author »Last updated at 21:10pm on 1st April 2008
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Two primary schools have withdrawn storybooks about samesex relationships after objections from Muslim parents.

Up to 90 gathered at the schools to complain about the books which are aimed at pupils as young as five.

One story, titled King & King, is a fairytale about a prince who turns down three princesses before marrying one of their brothers.

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Withdrawn: The fairytale King and King and Tango Makes Three

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Barry Artiste

at 21:12 on April 1st, 2008

I would think most parents regardless of their religious beliefs would be a tad pissed at these books

greg1usa

at 22:13 on April 1st, 2008

I could not agree more, I do not think that the books are appropriate for any audience that involves children. It does however show I think a slant on the story that this is a Muslim issue.

I was hoping someone would pick up on that and comment.

Thank you.

Barry Artiste

at 04:40 on April 2nd, 2008

Well as I said before Muslims have their own Moral dilemmas to deal with, I have no qualms against anyone who love each other regardless of sexual orientation, I do as you do have a problem with children being exposed at such a young age. Childhood is confusing enough without complicating it more with questions children will barrage their parents over this book.

Rob Walker

at 06:37 on April 3rd, 2008

Exposed at such a young age? What about those (admittedly small %) of kids whose parents are same sex? Should the other children just be expected to ignore it? To make up their own ideas? To stay in confusion?

Tons of fairytale books for kids involve a man falling in love with a woman, what's the difference if it's a man falling in love with another man?

Should kids only be exposed to platonic relationships until a certain age?

Barry Artiste

at 19:36 on April 4th, 2008

you have a point Rob, though kids can't be turned gay by reading a book, perhapos it is best they learn more on human sexuality once they are preteens, as kindergarten age, they have enough stuff to learn about themselves and their surroundings. Kids at that age are more concerned about playing than sex anyways.

greg1usa

at 19:59 on April 3rd, 2008

I do not know the right answer to the question Rob. I agree that there are a small percentage of people in alternative relationships as you mentioned. Do we however start to introduce those lifestyles into our education system?

They removed God from schools, Are these kinds of books more worthy of a place in the education system than Christianity or any other religion?

I am sure there will be many arguments for and against from many sides of the debate. It does perhaps raise other questions that should be asked about what is or is not appropriate to teach.