Das Islam

Germany's interior minister Wolfgang Schaeuble says that the country is working toward an agreement with Muslim leaders to set up classes on Islam in Germany's public schools. Religion classes have long been a requirement in German schools, with students previously able to choose courses on Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, or (as a non-religious alternative) ethics. Despite any concerns about the seperation of church and state, this isn't a bad idea on the surface. While a comparitive religions class would be preferable, nothing but good can come of students learning about different religions. The problem here would come from any kind of voluntary segregation of students into the classes of their own religions, sacrificing true education for some kind of religious jerkfest. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out, though I don't hold any hope that these classes will get into the hilariously ridiculous origins of any of these religions. And if you're interested in learning more about Islam, I recommend you read Why I Am Not a Muslim by Ibn Warraq. That's not the author's real name, of course, since using that would get him killed. Just one of modern Islam's terrifying truths. More details here.