Do you think that our current war in Iraq is a “modern day Crusade”? Why or why not? Also, what lessons can we learn from the Crusades that might be helpful in evaluating our current situation in the Middle East? Check out this link for help: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1184489

Commentator and historian James Reston draws parallels between the Crusades and the current conflict in the Middle East. Click on the Listen in the top left corner of the page to access the audio clip.

Hard Feelings

Throughout history, there have been numerous instances of one group of people violating the rights and liberties of another. We discussed a variety of examples in class including the following:
The Holocaust – Jews and Nazi Germans
American Slavery – African Americans and White Americans
Dropping the Atomic Bomb – Japanese and Americans
The Civil War – North and South
Destruction of culture, etc. – Native Americans and White Americans
The Crusades – Muslims and Christians
Do you think it is acceptable for a group of people or an entire culture to hold a grudge against another for something that took place generations ago? For example, is it understandable for Native Americans to distrust and generally dislike White Americans for events that happened over 100 years ago? Are there any instances where its OK to hate another group of people? Explain your answer.

Crusaders

After learning about the Crusades of the Middle Ages, do you think it's appropriate for schools to use "Crusaders" as a school mascott? Why?

Good v. Evil

For centuries, people have been debating the “nature of man”. The basic question is…are humans naturally evil or good? Philosophers like Confucius believed that people are inherently good natured and should work towards the greater benefit of society. John Locke concurred, offering his “blank slate” philosophy. According to Locke, humans are born without innate (inborn) ideas and are generally good natured. Conversely, philosophers such as Laozi and Thomas Hobbes believe that humans are naturally evil and they must be placed under strict legal control in order to maintain stability and peace.
What do you think? How are humans born? Are we naturally good or are we born wicked with criminal desire? What makes us who we are?

Close the Gap

The gap between rich and poor continues to grow in America. The middle class is shrinking. In your opinion, how could we close the gap between rich and poor?

Class Survey

In early February, our class of approximately 37 students conducted a public opinion survey of 129 people ranging in age from 12 to 79 years old. The parameters of the survey were fairly vague - the only directions were to ask individuals outside of our class and to make sure that the respondents were no younger than 12 years old and would only respond to one survey. The survey was not scientific in nature due to the fact that a majority of respondents were not selected on a random basis (most were picked due to local proximity and referrals as friends and family) and a some of our questions were biased (they elicited answers that the survey sponsors were looking for). Regardless, our survey was interested in finding the level of understanding Americans possess about the Muslim world. What follows are the survey questions and the results:
1. What is Islam?
78% of respondents knew it is a major world religion.
2. What is a Muslim?
64% of respondents knew that a Muslim was a follower of the Islamic faith.
3. Who was Muhammad?
63% of respondents reported that he was the key leader and founder of Islam.
4. What is the Holy Book of Islam?
65% of respondents correctly named the Koran or Qu’ran.
5. What are the two major divisions of Islam?
61% of respondents correctly stated Sunni and Shiite as the two major divisions.
6. What parts of the world has the highest percentage of Muslims?
68% of respondents stated the Middle East.
7. Have you or anyone you know ever expressed negative feelings about Muslims?
51% of respondents said yes.
8. What does a Muslim look like?
43% of respondents gave a response involving some form of stereotypical appearance (ex. Middle Eastern, bearded, wears a covering)
9. How are Muslims supposed to treat non-Muslims?
24% of respondents correctly answered with anything relating to “with respect or equality”.
10. If he/she was qualified, would you feel comfortable voting for a Muslim president?
42% said yes, they would.
After the survey data was compiled, we studied the results as a class and came up with our own opinions surrounding the survey's results. At Project Know More, we would like to see what you think.
Do you think these results are accurate?
What do the results tell us about the level of understanding of Americans?
Can the results tell us anything about our country's current level of tolerance towards Muslims?
How would similar questions about Judeo/Christian society play out in your community?
Let us know...

How do you feel about sterotypes?

Sterotypes--A preconceived (not based on research or experience) standardized, group-shared idea about the alleged essential nature of those making up a whole category of persons, the most significant of such group-shared ideas being without regard to individual differences among those making up the category and usually being emotion charged.

Religion-- what role does religion play in your daily life?

Discuss religion. In an effort to understand eachother better-- discuss your religion. Explain your religion to others, maybe the important aspects, or the role it plays in your daily life.

What conerns you most?

Could be basic, could be on a global or national scale. Share an issue that bothers you most.

Seeking ideas for how this site should work

We are trying to get this website going. We welcome any ideas or advice!

A Place to Start

What is your daily life like? What are the high and low points of your day? What concerns you? What excites you?