The teacher from Batley is still in hiding

[Nicetrynigel]

Teacher Batley
His life ruined because a bunch of thugs decided they didn't like what he was teaching in his RE lesson.
This and the Labour MP's request for bhalsphey laws against those of the Abrahamic faith have made me concerned.

People should be free to offer an view against another's religion. It's scary that we are being a country where people thing being offended gives them a right to made death threats.

How have protesters got the time and energy to pursue the teacher.

Haven't they got more productive things to do

Why should the religion of his pupils mean that he should be treated by the rules of an extremist Islamic regime?
This teacher has been in hiding ever since - in fear of his life. I can’t believe you’re suggesting he’s the one at fault here?

I'm astounded that the education system even suggested that caricatures of muhammed be used.

Don’t be astounded. It’s a way of debating. Caricatures are also used in History lessons and Politics lessons.

Why did we ever allow this violent, mysogynistic, religion, to establish itself in the UK ? There is NO right not to be offended in this country - what part of that, do you not understand ?

Oh your quite right the opinion of other people regarding religion shouldn't control somebody else. As far as I'm concerned he can show pictures of anything he likes. But the reality is unless I am really stupid, I wouldn't stand in front of the local mosque at Friday prayers and hand out pictures of their God as I know it will offend deeply.

Do we know which textbook was used?

Most of Europe are becoming tired of this extremism - China defines them as mentally ill - I don't know about that but they seem to cause an awful lot of trouble around the world. And don't get me started on what the Taliban has announced today.

ARealitycheck are you agreeing with the threats he has received? Religions in the UK are free to be discussed. It's appropriate to discuss the image and should have been a lesson in tolerance. It's horrendous that he has been threatened and no excuse for this. No one, teachers or the public should be afraid to display an image, whatever the faith. You are free to disagree but not free to accept threats of violence.

Oh go away. Most Muslims abhor this behaviour and you know it.

Remember it’s just a couple of weeks since the Archbishop of Canterbury has had to resign for turning a blind eye to sexual and violent abuse by the church.

I agree. I think it's time for a fully secular state.

And who here is defending that?

No-one.

I’m going to give you an example (of people I think have some fairly crazy beliefs). When The Book of Mormon musical was on Broadway the Mormon Church could have claimed it was mocking them and their religion. Do you know what they did instead? The Mormon Church itself placed an add in the playbill saying something to the effect of, ‘You’ve seen the play, the book is always better.’ In my opinion that’s how you respond to a situation like this. Death threats have no place in society no matter how offended a person is. Full stop.

Agree wholeheartedly that discussion should be free. But should it involve an image that has a long history of causing offence to certain groups. Of course not.

Imagine teaching 9 year olds about the vikings. Would it be ok to use the imagery of them butchering and raping. If a teacher did that they would be crucified by the parents. Likewise any number of things discussed in the bible. A lot really wouldn't be suitable imagery for certain pupils.

There is a difference between images unsuitable for children because they are of a violent or sexual nature, and images used to satirise rather than glorify a figure.
I don't think parents would "crucify" anyone, do you?

Can you imagine the equivalent?

“well, if you send them to catholic school what do you expect”

It’s hideous to pretend any of this medieval behaviour is reasonable.

I think that's a very intelligent response!
Peaceful, positive and good natured.
I respect that.

How about you get a dictionary and look up the words”free” and “discussion “

Then compare and contrast with “zealotry”

Well the reality is we are at risk of losing our right to free speech if we all follow your way of thinking.

Children are shown and read books on very very nasty history at school. You kind of know that when you sign up to things like gcse history and 6th form history and RE.

This wasn’t a primary school it’s pupils who have chosen to learn that area of education more in depth. They picked the subject. There would have been information of what’s taught. It would have come up if people cared to read into it.

Just as I know what topics are in the gcse history lessons as my child’s school. It of no shock that it’s Nazi’s because we read the information and attended the open even about choices.

But if that image being satirised despite it being likely to cause offence that makes it ok?

Because we're importing medieval attitudes.

Yes.

Thats brilliant! You’ve got to respect a response like that .