Predictably, Foxy flips back to labelling any criticism of Islam with negative epithets such as 'Islamohobia'.

Peter Hitchens on 'Islamopbobia',

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-PP61qTmic

Dear Suse,

I don't know if you're aware - so just for your
further information - there is a classic study
by eminent historian Norman Daniel and I'll quote
from the description of the book on the web -

"which should be of
interest to anyone wishing to gain a deeper insight into
the complex relations between the two of the world's
greatest religions. "

We're told that Norman Daniel was educated at Queens College
Oxford and Edinburgh University. He specialised in this
area of study and in inter-cultural relations. The ground
that he covers is from medieval times to the modern world.
And although this book was considered a classic in its
time - it is still relevant today.

"Islam and the West: The making of an Image."

Poirot,

No, you took unnecessary risks with your son. We bring children into the world, but we don't own them. Here you go, just one report of many and recent,

<Children educated at home twice as likely to be known to social services select committee told

Children educated at home are twice as likely to be known by social services and four times more likely as young adults to be out of work, education or training than those who go to school, MPs have been told.>

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/oct/13/home-education-badman-inquiry

Go take a running jump, otb.

We are registered and moderated - he's excelling in some areas. Well-behaved and communicative with adults of all ages (which is more than can be said for many schooled kids)

This young man has been an absolute boon to his Nanna who recently broke her hip, helping around her unit and helping her shop....how delinquent is that!

We're all extremely proud of him.

Go and mind yer own business - and stop generalising like an old maid.

Poirot, to my mind I would think that organised religions and their rigid teachings would involve more 'automaton' learning than anything a more secular education could offer.

Foxy, the links you provided are interesting alright, and I realise that the major religions in our world have much history in their involvement with each other.

They are also very strongly intertwined with cultures and politics, and as such will always be a major part of our lives, even if we no longer believe in any God or religion, like me.

I don't know what a truly secular society would be like, and I am not even sure I would want that!
All I know is that I would love to see an end to religion being involved in politics at all, eg with subjects like abortion, euthanasia, stemcell research etc.

Dear Suse,

It is a concern for many people that government policy
decisions pertaining to issues like abortion, contraception, embryonic stem-cell research,
same-sex marriage, sex-education,
and many others not be influenced by religion.

We'll have to wait and see - concerning the current
government's take on these matters.