|
|
|
|
|
Santa Expelled from City Schools
Dec 13, 2000 --
Santa Claus has been banned from Seattle Public School holiday celebrations, according to Schools General Council Mark Green.
"It's kind of a gray area," Green said, assigning a new color to a holiday most people think of in red, green and winter white.
"We can't have any religious symbols in the schools because of the constitutional separation of church and state. We allow Christmas trees, because they're, well, just trees. But Santa Claus is based on the Christian Saint Nicholas, and is a large part of the largely Christian religious celebration."
B.F. Day Elementary Principal Susan McCloskey said she knew the policy would trouble many people. "But we have children from Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and many other religions who go to school here," she said. "It would be confusing and unfair to expect them to participate in what they could well see as rituals and symbols from another religious tradition."
Reader Comments
Discuss this article in the forums!
|
|
|
Aidan Courtney
|
Jan 09, 2001
|
Ireland
|
art student/part-time cartooni
|
|
I'm Irish. I'm currently living in Ireland at the moment and was browsing around the web. I found this article and laughed a small bit. It is in fairness funny but given the fact that a large number of people would actually take this seriously would and should be taken as frightening.
I mean in some parts of the world there are people out there that actually go around screaming and shouting about other symbols. I would like to point out that even though I'm about a hundred miles from the border of the state of Northern Ireland there has been conflict over the tragically funniest of things. The Union Jack, the Irish flag, a little itty bity shamrock and other stupid things. I mean the colour green up North for a long time could either light the fire of patriotic pride (which for some reason lead to a bomb going off and innocent people getting hurt) or lit the fires of hate and cause a riot. It's ridiculous all for the symbol. So while it might sound ridiculous and I am being a bit extreme about my view, there are alot of nutballs out there. Sometimes it's best to play it safe. |
|
|
|
Mr. Berry
|
Aug 23, 2002
|
Ga
|
teacher
|
|
I was just browsing the web and found this article and it is absolutly ridiculous. Why is it that we can tolerate all other religious holidays and teach about them in schools but not Christian Holidays. Saint Nick was a good man bringing lots of joy to children. I have played Santa many times to students and never seen one confused or offended when a smile and a present were given to them and never a message about Christ. When are people going to wake up and realize that Christians are a part of this society too. It is not the Christians that are teaching their children to kill, destroy or commit suicide. Look at the poverty that abounds in nations with Allah and Buddah as god. This country has been blessed and is the most blessed in the world and it is because of the prayers and faithfullness of the Christians. Simply look at the choas and disorder that has come about since prayer was removed from schools. Christians that read this article please respond and lte our voices be heard loud and clear in this great nation.True Christianity is one of love and forgiveness. I wonder if any of the people that complain about Christianity have ever even picked up a Bible and looked at all the wisdom in it. If that wisdom were implemented I don't think we would have the problems in our schools that we are experiencing. Sorry I have just about had all I can handle of Christians being discriminated against in the public schools. |
|
|
|
Crystal Nelson
|
Jan 07, 2003
|
Michigan
|
public school student
|
|
I am a student at a public school and I found this outragious! The separation of state and government is getting way out of line. I am 16 years old and as a sincere Christian I am able to be strong in my faith even with "confusing" sybols and other beliefs that are around me. If parents are into keeping their children faithful to their God then let them teach their children to have stable beliefs no matter the atmosphere. Some children may not even agree with their parents beliefs and exposure to other religions will give them freedom of choice. If schools are not pressuring students to believe a certain way than I do not see what the problem is. Americans have freedoms...so they tell us. |
|
|
|
sally
|
Oct 11, 2003
|
las vacas
|
none
|
|
hi everyone |
|
|
|
Theresa
|
Jan 18, 2004
|
Texas
|
|
|
Wow! I am surprised. If Santa is allowed, so should baby Jesus in the manger. It's about time someone stood up against Santa Claus as religious. I am a Christian and found myself confused! It's hard to understand how other believers in Christ allow Santa to take away from there Saviors Birth. I can't believe I am one of the few who actually celebrate Christ's birth without including Santa. Jesus birth is to important to share with someone who was just a good man. I do understand that others who arent Christians have a different view on Holidays. I do not mind seeing schools display all diff. symbols religious or nonreligious displayed. I have a kindergarten child and had to deal with my child telling me Santa was what Christmas was about. There were more details but I am trying to make this short. This is very irritating and should not have happend. If the school had been neutral regarding this issue instead of worshiping Santa all month long(and I mean all month long) I wouldn't have had this problem. I noticed their are some who say the parents who dont agree with the schools teaching need to teach their children otherwise. Well I say no. Schools need to allow all aspects on religion or none. Then, the parent is not put in the hot seat. Would you want your child to question whether you were the one telling the truth? Remember I have young(2,4,5 years old) children and they are fragile at this point. |
|
|
|
Anonymous
|
Mar 10, 2004
|
|
|
|
Santa Claus actually comes does not come from Chistianity. Perhaps the teachers and council need to attend
Santa School! |
|
|
|
Gargoyle
|
Nov 21, 2005
|
baguio
|
|
|
Santa is just christmas fun.Its just a belief.
|
|
|
|
Mr.Mysterious
|
Nov 21, 2005
|
Hawaii
|
|
|
Does Giving Gifts to Non-Christian People make them angry? |
You may discuss this article in the forums!
|
| |
