So much of world history is tied to religions- if you don't learn at least the basics of what the major religions are, and where they started- how can you know the history of Europe? Or Asia? Or the conquest of the Americas?
Certainly no religion should be promoted in public schools, but refusing to teach about religions at all is like refusing to teach about the Roman empire.
I agree it leaves holes in the history. The violence and all should be a part of history in the High Schools. If it had been taught when my children were growing up it would be such a shock today when they hear about beheadings and all.
Yep- teaching world history without telling children of the violence in history would leave a huge hole in the education.
Imagine if they didn't learn about the drawing and quartering of citizens in Great Britain? The murder of Huegonauts by the French Catholics? The slaughter of cities by Genghis Kahn? The sack of Constantinople by Christian Crusaders? The enslavement of millions in the name of Christ by the Portuguese and Spanish? And yes- the Muslim conquests.
Shame your education was so short changed.