Am I really 'forcing my beliefs on others'?

Question

I am a senor citizen who has long since retired. As a part time job and to keep myself busy, I drive the school bus to pick up the kids in my town. I really like my job and driving the kids around. I have a long white beard and am pretty chubby. During the christmas season, for over 8 years now, I wear a santa hat so I look pretty much just like santa. I think the kids get a kick out of it. Then the principal told me I had to stop wearing my hat and either shave my beard or change it so it looks different because a mother of some kid complained that I was forcing my religious beliefs on them? and she was gonna sue. I guess I will quit, but what do you think?

Answer 1

I heard about this in the news.

1. He cant make you shave or cut hair.

2. The hat is not a religious symbol. It is from a fantasy character.

3. I think you have the Constitution on your side.

4. Find a good lawyer.

Answer 2

A Santa hat-wearing school bus driver on Long Island, N.Y., has won the right to keep wearing his festive headgear, Newsday reported.

Kenneth Mott, who keeps a long, white beard, almost lost his job after a parent called the bus management to complain. Mott, who has worn the red and white hat every Christmas since he started with the Bauman & Sons bus company five years ago, was ordered to stop wearing the hat because a child didn't believe in Santa Claus and was bothered by the hat.

So, I guess "you" are keeping the hat.

Answer 3

Yeah, Christmas is a Christian holiday, but dressing up as Santa is hardly "forcing your beliefs" on others.

I'm sure a non-Christian kid would feel a bit left out from the fun though. And you know how vicious kids can be to other kids who are different. Maybe that's what the mom and the principal were concerned about.

Answer 4

I wouldn't quit, I would negociate, and take with you when you negociate, some fighting power. People obviously aren't teaching their kids about Santa Claus, because pretty much people are stuck in their own little worlds, and then force their children to become clones of their parents.

Yes Santa Claus has many different names for many different countries, but the only reference to religion that Santa Claus has, is that St. Nicolas gave the poor money, his inheiritance to be exact to help them through tough times. That story people don't really even know, as well as not knowing that Santa Claus is now considered a secular entity, and that Christians would rather celebrate the birth of Jesus, rather than focus on Santa Claus at all. Lastly, in Afganistan they refer to Father Christmas as baby Jesus, but really, we aren't Afganistan, and it really has nothing to do with Santa Claus.

Obviously, the prinicpal is a child him or herself, and won't stand up to an ignorant parent when facts are facts. Go read it in the encyclopedia, or better yet, read about Santa Claus on this site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus

Answer 5

I wouldn't consider that forcing your beliefs on anyone, just trying to get the kids to have an enjoyable bus ride. Since when is Santa a "religous belief'? Hard to believe that this mother was so offended. YICKS! She better stay away from the stores this year and the bell ringers....

Answer 6

I am the first one to give religous people a hard time. However, what you are describing isnt even religious in nature...which is why I personally would have no problem with what you did. If you were dressing up like Jesus...perhaps I could see the parents point...but dressing up like santa claus is hardly forcing your christian beliefs on your students.

Answer 7

Having been raised a Christian yet recently lost my faith I even have viewed it from the two aspects. i do no longer like it while atheists insult human beings only because of the fact they're non secular and that i do no longer like it while non secular human beings do an identical in return. the two aspects have people who're in charge of being insensitive and boastful. The athiests say the non secular are stupid and the non secular say the atheists are evil. the two atheists and the non secular attempt to 'convert' others - although no longer anyone does of direction. and that they do this for an identical motives - because of the fact they think of the guy, and doubtless the international, could be greater valuable off having an identical view as them. of direction additionally some non secular human beings do it because of the fact their ideals state they could desire to. The voice of atheists could be greater effective in some places, including this website, and that's in all likelihood for some motives. initially they could stay in an ecosystem the place they're outnumbered by non secular human beings and use this as a place to vent their emotions. yet another excuse could desire to be that until extremely recently in human heritage it became in many cases risky to publicly deny whichever faith became in the mainstream on the time. Now by tolerance, technological know-how and different motives, that is commencing to grow to be proper to be an atheist and the skill to have the skill to talk approximately it continues to be new, sparkling and in its volatile infancy. My opinion is that all and sundry human beings could have the skill to debate their ideals in a rational way. in case you desire to evangelise to somebody it is fantastic, yet know them in the event that they do no longer desire to hearken to or could desire to evangelise returned.

Answer 8

thats beyong ridiculous! santa isnt a religion!!! for that no kid can even read a fiction book in school....better empty out the school library!!
santa isnt even tied to Jesus or Christianity...its one of those fun festive childlike fairy tales. she would never win in court..... its called make believe.
I dye my hair orange...... it isnt really orange...... its fake. its like a character I create..... no one can sue me. not even if I dye my hair black in honour of a Jet Li movie character.
its a costume with no religious affiliation,contrary to belief. there is NO WAY they can make you shave your beard!!!
if they have a prob with santa hat...then it wouldnt be fair if muslim children for example, are allowed to pray during school hours.... because if other kids see its forcing belief???? what weak children people raise if they cant even SEE other beliefs...what weak religion cant stand up to a santa hat? what will their faith crumble? if thats how they feel i dont ever wanna see a muslim all covered up.........it makes me uncomfortable waaaah!

Answer 9

I would quit if the principal is going to force you to change. I don't believe that's right, but things aren't always fair and you would make the point that a loss comes from giving in to this kind of complaint.

Answer 10

You shouldn't have to shave to keep your job unless it was a requirement from the time you were employed or unless it goes for everyone. Santa is not a religion. Get a lawyer. What a crock!