[trying4four]

So my kids came home the other day and told me they are no longer allowed to say Merry Christmas at school because they may offend someone. What the heck is that?? The constitution of this country was built on freedom OF religion, not freedom from religion. As I have looked more into this I am finding very similar stories from others around the country. I have started making shirts that say "It's ok, you can wish me a Merry Christmas" and I am going to have the kids start wearing them to school. If you want to view them, click the link in my siggy.
Has anyone else experienced this at their childs school?

[MissyChrissy]

Oh crap. That's a bunch of bull. I get so stinkin mad at public schools anymore...they offend ME! Not that anyone would care, or change the rules for me though

Your poor kids.

[MissyChrissy]

Sorry, I have to add 'cause this really bugs me...

1/2 the time, if not more, I don't consider myself religious at all. I really struggle with it. HOWEVER, I am NEVER offended if someone says they'll pray for me, or keep me in their prayers. Because I know that THEY believe, and their concern is sincere and they want what's best for me. Even if I did not believe, never ever believed, I cannot see how someone wishing me a Merry Christmas could be offensive. They're just wishing me a happy day, really. One full of warmth and thoughts of giving and love. What's wrong with that?

grr...PEOPLE!

[mcmama]

Yeah this happens every year. I blogged about it some time ago. This is just wack. By wishing someone a merry christmas or happy hanukkah or whatever, you are not endorsing a religion. I have jewish friends who respond "Thank you, same to you" when someone wished them a merry christmas. Happens a lot in a multicultural world - one that is truly multicultural, that is, not one that "tries" to be.

Tell your kids to keep right on wishing merry christmas, and challenge the school on their abridging the right of free speech. Then show them articles that I quoted in the blog from Charles Haynes of the first amendment center.

This pc crap has got to stop.

[MommaColleen]

Well, my kids school does not allow then to dress up for Halloween or even have a party because (and this is a direct quote from a PTO meeting) "it is the devil's holiday". However, they celebrate Christmas by bringing SANTA into each and every classroom.

[twinzplus3]

Very interesting commentary by Ben Stein. Thought about just pasting a section. . . then thought better of it. . .

Here's the link.

[trying4four]

I read the link, that's a pretty good one!

[LeanyBean]

Originally Posted by MissyChrissy

Sorry, I have to add 'cause this really bugs me...

1/2 the time, if not more, I don't consider myself religious at all. I really struggle with it. HOWEVER, I am NEVER offended if someone says they'll pray for me, or keep me in their prayers. Because I know that THEY believe, and their concern is sincere and they want what's best for me. Even if I did not believe, never ever believed, I cannot see how someone wishing me a Merry Christmas could be offensive. They're just wishing me a happy day, really. One full of warmth and thoughts of giving and love. What's wrong with that?

grr...PEOPLE!

I feel the same exact way. I am one who believes 'under god' should be included in our pledge of allegience and I think it should be recited every day after teh national anthem in our schools. I know it was when I went. Now my highschool alma mater does it just once a week at best.

I really don't give a snot whether any one person is a devout follower or a devout atheist or anything in between. They are entitled to believe whatever they want to and I respect that. I am also a believer in separation of church and state but I think we as a society have pushed this too far. I think it should translate to not enforcing any one religion or belief system upon the students or public but provide opportunity for them to practice what they so desire without discrimination.

I have no problem with someone telling my kids Happy Chanukah or Merry Christmas or Happy Kwanza, etc., etc. We celebrate Christmas even though I believe myself more Wiccan than anything else. We also celebrate Easter even though my boys have no idea about it's religious meaning. We try to introduce what we were raised with and what we believe and what others believe with them at every given opportunity. I am hoping this gives my kids an interest in discovering their own believe system or to at least choose one that they feel to be right by them.

I say for those places affected by our 'rules' of separation of church and state that we go with George Costanza's massive holiday creation~Festivus.

HAPPY FESTIVUS EVERYONE!!!!!

[mcmama]

Mommacolleen, is your school a public school? Prohibiting a secular celebration of Halloween for a religious reason is endorsing a religion. Tell her that.

I like Ben Stein's article. But then, I usually like just about everything he writes.

The whole festivus idea was started on Seinfeld because of all the ridiculous political correctness. Just leave people alone and let them celebrate something wonderful and share it.

By prohibiting children from wishing one another a Merry Christmas, they are endorsing athiesm. I don't think that is the intention, but that is the result.

[MommaColleen]

Janet, it is a public school. We have gone around and around about this many times at PTO meetings.