Beat Robin 2-1 at snooker. Very scrappy set of frames though. No real conclusion can be drawn from the outcome.

I must admit to being slightly bemused at a report submitted by “Muslim educationalists” to government ministers as reported by the BBC. I agree that Muslim children should be educated in their faith, as should all children in this country. However, I also believe all children should be educated in the basics of all the major religions and be allowed to delve deeper and decide for themselves what the truth is. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe all religions to be equal in truth, but I do believe in freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The conclusion of the report is that more muslim schools should be set up, but I’m not sure this is the solution – will Muslim schools present all religions to the children, or just Islam? Various proponents of muslim schools cite Church of England schools – but from experience, whilst having a Christian ethos, the basics of all the major religions are taught. Would the same be true of a Muslim school?

Looking at the areas of the world where Islam dominates might answer the question – and I’m not sure the answer is palatable. Is many parts of the Islamic world, freedom of speech is limited, as is freedom of religion – in fact, those of other religions are often persecuted, sometimes unofficially through mob rule, sometimes with the backing of the state. The current situation in Sudan is one such example of many. As for converting from Islam, certainly under sharia law, apostacy is punishable.

Contrast this with the ethos of the West with its Judeao-Christian heritage which, although far from perfect, allows freedom of speech and freedom of religion – to the extent Muslims can submit reports to the state to promote their cause, and that people can happily become Muslims, you might possibly understand why I’m slightly bemused. It would appear the very nature of these two world-views are very different.

So, would these Muslim schools, if they were to go ahead, promote the freedom of speech and religion, or would they promote oppression of speech and thought? Would these schools contribute to the integration of British society, or its segregation? Would it ultimately lead to the Islamisation of Britain?

Anyway, if this has whetted your appetite for learning more about Islam in contrast with Judaism and Christianity, Answering Islam might be of interest. It is well researched, and contains copious references to the Quran and the Bible, as well as significant writings from both spheres of influence.