Yesterday my daughter sang in the choir for an end of semester Christmas show. The lyrics my daughter has been practicing were for songs, written by the school music teachers. I was a bit grumpy about this, since a Christmas show for me should be traditional songs of the season. How wonderful a surprise to discover that the older children sang the same old good songs that I adore ... O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Frosty the Snowman, etc.
This is my big bugaboo about the schools in the US - our children are no longer able to celebrate Christmas at school like this - no more carols, no more nativity plays, nothing that hints at Christianity in any way. I am no believer in God, but even so I love the plays and songs and celebrations this time of year. What's more, the children love it! But no, we mustn't tread on some poor sensitive soul's toes so we remove the fun for 90% of the class in order that no one gets their feelings hurt. Because that's the way life really is, isn't it? When you are all grown up and on your own expect no challenges to your own ideas, expect no differences of opinion, expect everyone to think as one ... right?
By the way, my husband and I are obviously meant for each other --- in the Christmas plays at our respective schools we both played the ass.
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5 comments:
It's not about not hurting other people's feelings... or at least it shouldn't. I would have no problem (and I expect there would be no problem) with an extra-curricular Christmas show on a US public school, so long as participation is neither demanded nor expected and unwilling students are not pressured to participate. But that is not always the situation. Not exactly the same thing, but look at: http://blog.au.org/2008/11/25/hell-in-little-axe-an-oklahoma-moms-chilling-battle-with-religious-bigotry/
PS I should point out that my concerns only apply to public schools in countries such as the US that have separation on the books. I see no problem with a private school in the US doing Christmas shows (or even prayer in the classroom for that matter), for example, so long as it is not funded out of tax dollars.
Interesting and sad story ... but exemplifies taking it too far. I agree, obviously, that no one should be forced to participate. But I don't think it should be completely removed if 90% of the population want it. But I always assume people are rational and maybe that is my downfall.
Like I said: I would have no problem, and I expect the law would have no problem either, with an extra-curricular Christmas show on a public school, in which participation is clearly voluntary. The problem comes when it is an integral part of school activities during December, because then it runs afoul of the law, at least in the U.S. There are surely ways to let that 90% enjoy it without violating the law.
To me, it's not about offending or not; it's about respecting the law and the separation of Church and State.
Sorry, Tuffy, I have to disagree with you. Even if one is not forced by the school to participate in a religious display, if you are the only one to opt out, it can be bad news, like magidin's article pointed out.
There was another similar case right here in Santa Fe, TX. A Jewish boy and his family were harassed and threatened because he did not participate in the Christian prayers before football games, etc. (much more to that story--too much to relate here)
Without the protection of the law and the separation of church and state, I'm fairly certain that there would be many more cases like these. Some religious people--even some non-religious people--are not rational. Some (I would even say many) Christian people believe that words like "tolerance" and "diversity" are tools of the political left, which is trying to negate our Western heritage, end religion, and create a socialist state. If I'm being very honest, some would say those words/ideas are tools of the devil, which is certainly not rational in my book. If you live in a small town, and those types are the 90%, and you are in the 10%...
Ultimately, the issue is about protecting the Constitutional rights of the minority, not about hurt feelings.
Quote from magidin: "There are surely ways to let that 90% enjoy it without violating the law."
Yes, in churches and other places not funded by my tax dollars.
And, for the record, I am a Christian.
Love ya, Tuff, and thanks for the interesting discussion...I had a response typed out days ago, when you first posted, but the puter froze up and I didn't have the time to repost. :-)
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