Inside Islam

Most Americans say they do not know much about the religion of Islam. A majority admits to knowing very little (30%) or nothing at all (25%) about the Muslim religion. Just a little more than a third (35%) know “some” about the religion, and only 9% say they know a great deal. These numbers are little changed from 2007, and have not moved much at all since Pew Research began asking the question in 2001. College graduates (63%) are more likely than those with some college experience (48%) and those with a high school education or less (31%) to know some or a great deal about Islam. Most American (58%) also do not know someone who is Muslim while 41% do. Those with a college degree and adults younger than age 50 are far more likely to be acquainted with a Muslim than are older and less educated Americans. 

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Test Your Knowledge.

Stranger Danger

'Stranger danger' is the danger to children presented by strangers. The phrase stranger danger is intended to sum up the danger associated with adults whom children do not know. The phrase has found widespread usage since the 1970s and many children will hear it (or similar advice) during their childhood lives.  Books, films and public service announcements have been devoted to helping children remember this advice.

How are ISIS and other radicalized groups using the internet to try and recruit you? 

What should your reaction be?

Alien & Sedition Acts

Christopher Lee Cornell, 20, of Green Township, is accused of using cyberspace to plot to assassinate Congressional employees and attack the U.S. Capitol for his personal jihad. He was charged with attempted killing of U.S. government officers and possession of firearms in furtherance of an attempted crime of violence.  The Oak Hills Local School District released a statement on Thursday morning regarding Cornell, who graduated from Oak Hills High School in 2012, describing Cornell as a "typical student."

"Christopher was not a disruption or a discipline problem in the school," said Oak Hills Principal John Stoddard in the release. "His teachers were shocked at the news of his involvement in this situation."

So how did he become 'radicalized?'

Is He the only one?

The United States and Europe are currently facing threats from militant Islamic groups like Isis that can no longer be ignored as just a 'Middle Eastern' problem. Public beheadings like those of American journalists Steven Joel Sotloff and James Foley and the recent attack against Charlie Hebdo in France are part of ISIS' sophisticated video and social media strategy meant to sow terror in the Western world.

 Who is ISIS and what do they really want?

 How are they using our own freedoms as weapons against us?

Passed in preparation for an anticipated war with France in 1798, the Alien and Sedition Acts tightened restrictions on foreign-born Americans and limited speech critical of the Government.   The Acts made it a crime for American citizens to "print, utter, or publish . . . any false, scandalous, and malicious writing" about the Government.  While the Acts were eventually repealed, the controversies surrounding them provided for some of the first testings of the limits of freedom of speech and press.

Should our Government be able to limit freedom of speech during wartime?

Why not just block ISIS websites?

Listen to an American Extremist who wants to join ISIS in his own words.

1) Why does he want to join?  

2) Was he raised Muslim?  When did he become 'radicalized?'

3) How should the United States punish Don Morgan?  Is he guilty of sedition? Treason?

4) How do we prevent more Americans from joining?  Should we?

WGOITP?

Whats Going On In This Picture?

The nation’s celebration of Dr. King’s birthday on Monday was punctuated by protest, as a new generation of activists, angered by the deaths of several unarmed African-Americans in confrontations with the police, demanded that the traditional holiday rituals of speechmaking, community service and prayer breakfasts give way to denunciations of injustice and inequality.

“The events that have happened have kind of diminished his dream a little bit,” said Aleah Hutchinson, 17, who attended a King event in Athens, Ala., and won a local essay contest connected to the holiday. “He wanted us all to work together in unity, but when certain events occur, like the events in Ferguson and the Trayvon Martin case, it kind of diminishes his dream a little bit because at that point, we’re not working together.”

Has Dr. King's Dream been diminished? Why/not?

How should Dr. King be remembered?

How does Dr. King inspire you?

Je' Suis Charlie

At least 3.7 million people, including world leaders, marched in anti-terrorism rallies in Paris and elsewhere in France on Sunday, French officials said, calling the massive gathering in the nation's capital the largest in France's history.

One man in the crowd said the French people must not "give in to fear." Terrorists, he said, "will not win."

Others carried signs that echoed the now-famous phrase that honored slain journalists at the magazine Charlie Hebdo, "Je suis Charlie."  "I am Charlie."

Why is freedom of speech and the press so important?  

How unique is our right to freedom of the press?

Where were each of these photos taken?  How do these countries view free speech?

WGOITP?

Whats Going On In This Picture?

What does the pencil symbolize?  Why is it broken?  

Which headline story is this in reference to?

How is it resolved?

What two freedoms does this story concern?  Where are they guaranteed?

Just because you can do something should you?