Has Public schools have gone too far in limiting the celebration of Christmas among students?

Question

Freedom of religion is a double-edged sword: on one hand, it requires that persons be able to fully express their religious beliefs. On the other hand, it also requires that these beliefs not be unwillingly forced upon others. Likewise, the constitution requires that church and state be separated—that is, a public (government) institution, like a public school, cannot promote a particular religion. Inevitably, in public schools, allowing children to practice their beliefs, while not offending those around them, and keeping the school from endorsing religion, has long been an issue. In recent years, some conservatives have expressed concern that public schools have gone too far—and in effect, these schools have begun a “War on Christmas.” Now classroom Christmas parties are called “Holiday” parties. At many winter pageants students no longer sing any Christmas carols, and instead defer to innocuous wintertime songs such as “Frosty the Snowman.”

Even Christmas Trees, despite origins in pagan symbolism and not Christianity, have been removed from many public schools for fear that they are mixing “church and state.” But have schools gone too far, as the majority of American children, whether Christian or non-religious, celebrate Christmas? Is Christmas a secular holiday as well as a religious one? Even if it is religious, does taking the “Christ” out of Christmas offend those who believe?
In this politically correct age, no Christmas pageant is complete without content on Hanukah or Kwanzaa. Certainly to treat all faiths fairly appears proper under the law. Yet have schools’ elimination of Christmas or any of the Christian-based stories, beliefs, or even music in many cases gone beyond what is necessary? Have schools actually violated Christian students’ first amendment rights to freedom of religion? Or is the politically correct way of treating the holidays better as it seeks to protect minorities, such as atheists, Jews, or o

or other religious minorities?

Answer 1

Yes, they violate the Rights of the Students.

Answer 2

Yes and no. A visit from Santa Claus would probably not disturb anyone. However, unless the schools will honor like celebrations from all religions and traditions the practice of a holiday strictly Christian with Christian songs and pageants violate the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

I once asked to have a Dragon Dance through the school by the Children who were taking the After School Mandarin class. I had built a dragon head for them and they had made a body of dyed sheets and hula hoops. The dance is of some religious leanings, but mostly to scare bad spirits away of the Chinese New Year. Though the school had presented a nativity play the Christmas just passed, they would not allow the Dragon Dance. A made sure records of the event were placed on several peoples personnel sheets and the school board got a letter from a lawyer.

Did they have the both the next year....no....they killed them both. That was not my choice, it was theirs....one person on the school board actually said to me, "We can't let our children be subjected to foreign religions." As if Christianity didn't begin in the Middle East.

Answer 3

As an atheist in high school, I don't care if they have Christmas trees up. I would care if they had a school meeting in the auditorium talking about why we celebrate Christmas and how Jesus is so great, etc. I would like people to say Happy Holidays, though, since there are Jewish and Islamic kids at my school. It goes too far when they say the Holiday tree, though. We don't call a menorah a holiday candle. As for parties and stuff, should be called Holiday parties. Not everyone is a Christian, even if there are alot of Christians around. Santa being at school is fine by me.

Answer 4

Oh, stop watching Bill O'Reily. Schools have Christmas trees, Christmas breaks, and sing carols in the choir. Does it bother you that much that it is called a Winter Break, or Winter Program? Is it so offensive that the students sing songs from other cultures too? Did it ever occur to you that even in small town America there are Jews, Muslims, atheist, and other believers who send their kids to public schools?

No, there is no "war on Christmas" in the public schools.

I will also point out once again that all public school children in the state of Indiana must observe 30 seconds of silence before each and every school day. There is no war in the public schools on Christians.

Answer 5

I went to a public school and was in the show choir there (dark embarrassing chapter of my life... I choose to usually not bring it up). Anyways, our holiday concerts were always a big deal. We performed all over Chicago at hotels, restaraunts, nursing homes, etc.

One day while at a superbowl party, I got into a verbal spat with a mother whose daughter went to my school. She did not like the fact that we performed those holiday songs at school. I exlained to her how the collection of songs is very inclusive. We sung Channukah, Christmas, and secular songs regarding the holidays.

Some people just cannot enjoy certain pleasures in life.

That being said, it's very easy for you to not understand how it feels to be in the minority. This is not a jab at you, but an explanation as to why many non-Christians want religion to be kept separate.

You will never know how it feels to be the religious minority. You're living in a nation where the vast overwhelming majority is Christian, like yourself. Have you ever stopped to think how it would feel if it was the other way around? If you lived in a country where everyone was Jewish or Muslim how would that make you feel?

This is why many people don't want Christmas trees and such in public places like school. It alienates non-Christians. When I was in elementary and middle school kids would make fun of me because I didn't have a christmas tree or because during Passover, I didn't eat bread. It's not a good feeling for your religion to be challenged simply because there is a very small number of you living in that country. That's the reason why people don't want things like Christmas trees, creationism, or public prayer to be involved in schools.

Answer 6

No, they haven't gone far enough to remove religious holidays from Public schools. Public schools are for learning- like ABC, 123, science, math, etc- NOT Christmas and Easter. And NO, not ALL schools include chanukah and kwanzaa in their "holiday" programs.... come on down to the South! Churches/ Synagogues/home etc. is where religious holidays and celebrations belong Not public school

Answer 7

Christmas trees are not religious, they have nothing to do with God. Now if they had a nativity scene set up in the corner, that would be a different story. I believe in Christian teachings, but no one should have to worship at school. School is a place to learn, writing, reading, math,etc... No one should be forced to participate in what they do not believe in or looked down upon by other teachers/ students for what they do or do not believe in. School should be a neutral zone.

Answer 8

THEIR IS NO SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. THAT IS A MYTH.
In the Constitution, it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
So yes, they have gone too far, legally kids have the right to celebrate their religion, and can even try to force it on the other kids, but as long as there is no law saying that they have to be certain religion, or saying that they can't be a certain religion, it is perfectly legal to celebrate any religion you want.

What are ILLEGAL, are tax breaks for churches. That is respecting the establishment of a religion. People need to read the Constitution.

Also, Christmas can be non-religious also. I am a firm atheist. I believe that anyone who believes in God is brainwashed, and naive, and I hold no respect for their opinions.
But I do believe that Jesus Christ was a great man, and should be honored. Even if I disagree that he is divine. I believe he was mortal, but one of the most noble men on earth.

Answer 9

It would be interesting to know if Marco R, (response #2) celebrates Christmas at all, if he does he is a hypocrite, even if he gives one present out.

Also, here is my thought on this. If there were a true separation from church and state, I do not want to see any city, county, state or federal offices closed during Christmas. I'm sure they have plenty of non-Christians working to allow the office's to stay open.

Just a little thought.

Answer 10

Those of us in minority religions or no religion are pretty used to the overwhelming christian bias in this country. I think it's pretty funny when they have hissy fits about their holidays being relegated to politically-correct status. A little taste of their own medicine. Have your christmas parties in your churches and homes. We have our yule celebrations in private with fellow pagans. We don't insist on holding public rituals or expecting store clerks to wish us happy yule. I know it's tough to realize that some of us don't believe what you do, but that's the real world. Deal with it.

Answer 11

Well, I was raised in a system where public schools do not have Christmas parties, trees or anything like that as they respect a total separation of state and religion, so I don't see the problem.