My verdict on Bible for muslim schoolkids

Salam 'alayk and good evening.

So around last two weeks, there was a news on Bible being distributed to secondary schoolkids right in front of the school gates. I don't know what's the current update of the case, but there's been quite a lot of 'discussions' and arguments on twitter on whether should Bible be given to schoolkids (Muslim) or not.

*Please note that "schoolkids" onward means muslim schoolkids.
*This article/post is meant for Muslims, therefore 'we', 'our', are referred to the Muslims. However people of other beliefs are welcome to read.

IN MY OPINION

I believe that schoolkids shouldn't be given Bible, or any other religious scriptures. For reasons:

1. Current school's religious curriculum doesn't include on how to 'understand' and 'read' other religions. 

Last time I check, kids were only taught at school on respecting other religions and their religious rights as per Islam teaches. But there is not subject, or topics discussed with the kids, or at least guide the kids on how to learn other religions, what are the basic knowledge needed to do that, the skills, and so on. 

If the kids were allowed to 'study' other religious scriptures, high chances are they might get confused with that religions' doctrines/principles/stories with Islam's.

       2. Schoolkids are still learning and in the process of building their basic belief in Islam (aqidah)

The 3 sifat of Allah (uluhiyyah, rububiyyah, asma' wa sifat), the 99 names of Allah, the creation of Adam and the world, stories of the prophets (pbut) and moral values from Quran. The affirmation on the Oneness of God, that God was not begetteth (created) and God does not begotten (beget a son).

Meanwhile in Christianity there's this Oneness of God, but in Trinity. How are the schoolkids supposed to understand this? Particularly when the Bible propagates this belief in so many different sentences and forms? They might interchanged the meaning of Oneness in Islam with oneness in Christianity.

       3. Lack of guidance in understanding the other religions and in comparing that religion with Islam

Just like how we were taught to learn different cultures, the meanings behind the cultural activities, what makes our culture different with the other cultures, we (especially the kids) also need teachers to learn about other religions. 

Say the schoolkids found out about the Gods in Hinduism and stories of the gods, and they found it so alien upon hearing the stories, how would they understand the essence of the stories and the importance of it in Hinduism? They might just disregard the stories as mythical and not-important.

Plus, learning about religions other than Islam for schoolkids can cause confusion for them. For example, even though Prophet Adam and Eve in Islam is the same as Adam and Eve in Christianity, the storyline and the points shown in Islam are contradictory with that of Christianity.

Who would be responsible for the kids confusion on beliefs in Islam and knowledge on other religions?

These 3 main points meant to show my argument on why Bible shouldn't be given to schoolkids. Unless there are knowledgable adults to guide them, I don't find it necessary for the underage kids to actually READ the other religious scriptures.

However, this doesn't mean that I'm against the culture of learning and respecting other religions. We live in a multicultural and multi religious society, so we're encouraged to learn religious practices like Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali. 

Religious harmony is important, but put protecting the right beliefs as our top priority.

This is purely my opinions, I am open to civilized discussion, with agree-to-disagree policy (as it involves opinions).

References

1. Cops to interview students, principal over Bible distribution case: Mujahid 

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/429180/cops-interview-students-principal-over-bible-distribution-case-mujahid

2. My brains.