Religious holidays in public schools?

Question

A public school in Illinois has decided to stop observing traditional holidays after a Muslim mother requested that the school observe Ramadan. Halloween will be referred to as the "Fall Celebration" and Christmas as "Winter Celebration".

Do you think that this goes too far because holidays like Christmas and Easter have been secularized and aren't traditional religious celebrations?

Do you think that traditional holidays should continue to be observed alongside other holidays like Ramadan?

Or do you agree with this school board's decision?

Answer 1

Well, I guess I can see the point in it. As the culture continues to become more and more diverse, we're bound to see more diversity in the religious beliefs of our students. Obviously, the schools can't observe each and every major holiday for each and every religion; they'd either have school closed or be having some kind of observance party all the time, and there would be no time for teaching and learning. Now that might be an extreme case, but that's part of the issue. So by just having a generalized "fall holiday" and "winter holiday," the schools get their vacation/class party time, but no one is excluded because we're observing Christian holidays but no others. Families can do their religious observances at home or church, and not in the public schools.
So that's fine in my book, and for the record, I am a Christian.

Answer 2

When I was a kid, I loved singing xmas somgs and for halloween dressing up and going to school for the halloween parade. By the time i was finished elementary school they were already calling it winter holidays and blah blah and we were not allowed to sing any songs(in choir) that had xmas in it or jesus or anything xmas related. We could only sing "winter" related songs. I think this was a little too carried away, but on the other hand we do speak about equality and brag about our modern day diversity. However, when I was little I didnt really care or understand the difference in all of these songs. It was fun just to participate in these festivities. I think sooner or later there will be no celebrations and there will be no winter breaks. (since the hoplidays are for religious reasons) Why have holidays if you do not celebrate it and do not weant anyone else to celebrate it. The teachers are not diverse enough to understand every other holiday in order to celebrate them. If they do know some information or if the kids are willing to shjow the teachers how to celebrate it, then I think that is a great way to diversify our world even more and open our minds to the cultures of others.

Answer 3

I do NOT agree with Boston University Professor-The Christmas and New Year Holidays should be there in Public Schools. Even in India,which a Majority Hindu Country Christmas-New Year Holidays(about 10 to 12 days) are ther from British Days-After Independence this practice was NOT discontinued. Christians constitute only 2% of the population. But as a good gesture to minorities in a Democracy, the Hindu boys and girls in Public Schools can be allowed to take one day "Optional Holiday "(what we call in India as "Retricted Holiday) on Deepavali day--similar gesture can be shown to other Religious minorities.In Public Schools only Religious Lessons can NOT be taught.Religious tolerance can be shown.

Answer 4

I think it goes a bit far. Many people of many faiths (including some Muslims) celebrate Christmas, though this is usually of a secular-type nature. I see no problem with a school celebrating Halloween or Christmas, as long as it remains on-religious. And while, yes, I agree with you about it being too far, I see some people getting over zealous about the fact.

Christmas and Easter, by the way, were Christianized before they were secularized. Both are old Roman (that is, pagan) holidays, which were so popular, the early Church "Christianized" them so people would not turn away from Christianity and go back to their old pagan ways.

Answer 5

Halloween isn't a religious holiday, nothing Godly about it. As for the other religious ones(only X-Mas & Easter), one is always on a Sunday so the school shouldn't be an issue. The other one is during the winter break so that shouldn't be an issue either.

Answer 6

I think Ramadan is different because people have to fast during daylight hours for a whole month, and it is blatantly not fair to ask children to not eat during the day for a month for the sake of someone else's religion. I think this is very different than spending one afternoon having a social party. I would not object to them spending one afternoon not eating in token observance.

But, in spite of my differing opinon that it was not what I would do, I find I don't feel that it was terribly unfair. I do value the separation of church and state and I don't mind keeping my celebrations of life at home.

Answer 7

In my opinion, the mother could 'request' whatever she wants, it doesn't mean that the school has to grant that request.

But for the school to change the other holidays is disturbing. It is just another example of how our nation is slowly turning into the USSR.

Answer 8

No holiday exclusive to one religion should be celebrated or even mentioned in the public forum. Xians should celebrate Xmas in their homes and churches with their fellow believers. There is a specific Sunday called Advent Sunday for this purpose. I was in Europe a few years ago the week before Xmas and was overjoyed to see how minimal the public celebration was. Xmas is such a vulgar display in America! (Well, no one has ever accused the Xians of good taste.)

Answer 9

Why couldn't they have a celebration for Ramadan? Hell, I'm going to school to be a teacher, and if I get a say in things, I'm celebrating as many holidays from as many different religions as I can in my class, time permitting, of course. It would be a good learning experience, I think.

Answer 10

I think that schools should let parents celebrate their own holidays and just stay out of the whole business. They should let children off for whatever holidays they have, and even acknowledge that there are holidays for various groups, but they shouldn't promote holidays. There can be an exception for patriotic holidays.