Teachers Decry Schools' Anti-Christmas Bigotry

NewsMax.com ^ | 11/14/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Every year the attacks on Christmas by intolerant leftists seem to be more ludicrous and start earlier. But at least some teachers are denouncing the anti-Christian bias of New York City's failed government school monopoly.

"Christian educators are weary and outraged at this latest affront to freedom of expression," said Finn Laursen, executive director of Christian Educators Association International, a 50-year-old national association of teachers from government and private schools.

The organization stated today in a news release:

Jewish and Islamic symbols are allowed, the district says, "because they have a secular dimension, but the Christian symbols are purely religious.” The communications director for New York City’s law department says, "There is a separation of church and state that is part of the Constitution. It’s a clear belief that people try to follow in schools and public office, and schools are saying they adhere to that belief.”

The lawyers for New York City assert "the suggestion that a crèche is a historically accurate representation of an event with secular significance is wholly disingenuous.”

"What’s disingenuous is to suggest that permitting symbols of some religions and not others is ‘separation of church and state’,” says Laursen. "And in a post-911 world, one has to ask what on Earth is going on when the school system in New York City (of all places) is in the business of validating Islam and discriminating against Christianity.

"What’s disingenuous is to dismiss the historical record of Christ’s birth and life found both in and outside the Bible, reducing him to the status of a myth. The eyewitness accounts described in the Bible are actually legal evidence, recorded under Jewish law that required establishment of facts by at least two or three reliable witnesses.

"What’s disingenuous is ignoring the United States Supreme Court, in Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668 (1984), which upheld the right of a city government to display a crèche scene in the context of secular symbols of Christmas, e.g. a Christmas tree, reindeer, Santa Claus, etc. In the policy upheld by the Supreme Court in Florey v. Sioux Falls School District, 619 F.2d 1311 (8th Cir. 1980) allowing students to sing religious Christmas carols in public schools, the 8th District Circuit Court said that "crèches, crosses, the Star of David, and other symbols may be used as a teaching aid or resource provided the use is temporary in nature and there is a clear educational purpose for it.

"If Christmas isn’t an educational opportunity, what is? Is Christmas to be an opportunity to teach about Islam and Judaism but not Christianity? The New York City schools policy is viewpoint discrimination, plain and simple,” says Laursen.

The Michigan-based Thomas More Law Center has filed a motion to temporarily restrain the city from enforcing its ban on nativity scenes. The Center asserts that New York City’s policy "promotes the Jewish and Islamic faiths while conveying the impermissible message of disapproval of Christianity in violation of the U.S. Constitution.”

"Educators and parents should be aware that there are a whole range of activities related to religious holidays that are constitutionally permitted in public schools, backed up by solid case law,” says Laursen. "These include singing carols, nativity displays, Christmas trees, religious speech, Bible reading, use of the words ‘Christmas Holidays’, distribution of religious Christmas cards, religious paintings and pictures, and wishing someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in class. Somebody is trying to steal Christmas in New York City.”

[randog]

Jewish and Islamic symbols are allowed, the district says, "because they have a secular dimension, but the Christian symbols are purely religious.”

Wasn't the cross used to torture and execute people long before Christ and Christians hit the scene?

[Tax-chick]

seem to be more ludicrous and start earlier

You could certainly say that about the decorations! I recorded the first newly decorated house (not left over from last year :-) on November 10!

[maestro]

From another thread:

LOL Not to worry......................

I think,....The 'Koran' also teaches the virgin birth of Jesus as one of their GREAT RELIGIOUS PROPHETS.

Religion/Belief ...is to be allowed.

NYC is deaf and dumb.

BTTT

/sarcasm

[netmilsmom]

Our Walmart had Christmas trees by the Halloween decorations on Oct.3rd. No lie.

I love Christmas but this is silly.

[RightField]

Have you ever heard anyone actually USE the word 'decry' in conversation? It makes the headlines at least once a week, however.

[JesseHousman]

Jewish and Islamic symbols are allowed,...

Revolution time.

[RightField]

And the beat goes on . . .

[TaxRelief]

NYC DOE Legal Department

GENERAL COUNSEL
Chad Vignola - General Counsel - 212 374-0220
Judy Nathan - First Deputy Counsel - 212 374-2993
Jenny Soto - Subpoena Clerk - 212 374-6631
Valerie Fields - Subpoena Clerk - 212 374-6630
Tweed General Number - 212 374-6888
Tweed Fax - 212 374-5596
110 Livingston Street General Number - 718 935-3690

ADMINISTRATIVE TRIALS UNIT
(Located at 110 Livingston Street)
Fax 718 935-2249, 718 935-3625
Theresa Europe - Deputy Counsel - 718 935-3612
Patria Frias-Colón - Assistant Deputy Counsel - 718 935-5237
Lisa Becker - Attorney - 718 935-3676
Susan Dombrow - Attorney - 718 935-5112
Susan Jalowski - Attorney - 718 935-5146
David Long - Attorney - 718 935-3714
Robin Merrill - Attorney - 718 935-5305
John Petrak - Attorney - 718 935-3715
Valerie Straughn-Kall - Attorney - 718 935-3713
Dennisa Torres - Attorney - 718 935-5134
Stanley Trybulski - Attorney - 718 935-5113

COMMERCIAL UNIT
(Located in the Tweed building)
Fax 212 374-5596
William Joyce - Deputy Counsel - 212 374-2999
Althea Broomfield - Attorney - 212 374-3443
Michael Coneys - Attorney - 212 374-3442
Anthony D'Angelo - Attorney - 212 374-3379
Maxine Payne - Attorney - 212 374-2998
Lisa Secular - Attorney - 212 374-3444
Adrienne Williams - Attorney - 212 374-3441

GENERAL PRACTICE UNIT
(Located in the Tweed building)
Fax 212 374-5939
Robin Greenfield - Deputy Counsel - 212 374-2983
Christine Kicinski - Assistant Deputy Counsel - 212 374-2988
Elisa Baldwin - Attorney - 212 374-3435
Susan Holtzman - Attorney - 212 374-2989
Deborah King - Attorney - 212 374-2985
Henrique Oliveira - Attorney - 212 374-3413
Celeste Segure - Attorney - 212 374-2990
Zvia Shapiro Lerner - Attorney - 212 374-3407
SPECIAL EDUCATION UNIT
(Located in the Tweed building)
Fax 212 374-5939
Robin Greenfield - Deputy Counsel - 212 374-2983
Paul Ivers - Assistant Deputy Counsel - 212 374-2995
Tracy Cooney - Attorney - 212 374-3416
Susan Fingerle - Attorney (Admission Pending) - 212 374-3436
Aimee Fitzpatrick - Attorney - 212 374-3445
Marykate O'Neil - Attorney (admitted in Massachusetts only) - 212 374-2997

COUNSEL TO BRONX SUPERINTENDENTS (DISTRICT 11)
Dan McCray - 718 519-2614

COUNSEL TO BROOKLYN SUPERINTENDENTS (DISTRICT 20)
Judith Kay - 718 759-3917

COUNSEL TO QUEENS SUPERINTENDENTS (DISTRICT 25)
Mary McKenna Rodríguez - 718 281-7600

DISTRICT 22 ATTORNEY
Katie Raab - 718 368-8076

PARALEGALS (SPECIAL EDUCATION)
Andrew Hollander 212 245-3541 x455
Kathy Hosten - 212 245-3541 x455

CENTRAL RECORDS ACCESS OFFICER
Susan Holtzman 212 374-2989

[TaxRelief]

Decry is a great word. What single word can you think of that means "angrily and vocally reject" or "verbally protest"?

[maestro]

Your# 7....

Jewish and Islamic symbols are allowed,...

Revolution time.

No-No-No-No-No-,..............No revolution!!

Simply,......support the portions of the 'Koran' that historicaly SUPPORT THE REALITY OF JESUS IN HISTORY EVENTS!

This forces the 'historical-events' of Jesus' reality in the "Koran' or they (NYC) are denying the truthfulness of the 'Koran' and Islam must then also be rejected/excluded from religious event history as itself as unreliable MYTH and Lie!

No Revolution...............Think!

No to worry,.......Jesus is God and in ultimate CONTROL "all things".

(Romans 10:17)

Maranatha!!

:-)

[irv]

"What’s disingenuous is to suggest that permitting symbols of some religions and not others is ‘separation of church and state’,”

BINGO!

Repeat this point loud and often. Their response will be to throw out all religious symbols, of course. You can't win with some idiots.

[ladylib]

My niece's school district in CA pulled this kind of nonsense to the extent that a lot of Christian kids didn't feel comfortable going there after awhile. A very wealthy couple decided that a Christian school was needed, and many Christian kids left the school district, including my niece.

The kids were told that the creche was a religious symbol, but menorahs weren't. So menorahs were allowed, but no nativity scenes. They really got their noses rubbed in it.

Sort of related. Nothing new under the sun:

http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/obe_tbe.htm

[Arpege92]

I was totally shocked last Sunday when my family and I went to New York City to see a Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall. The last act of the show comprised of a re-creation of Christ's birth. It was very beautiful and the performance actually put a lump in my throat. My hubby and I couldn't get over how Christianity was brought into this show....I'm still shocked.

[Donna Lee Nardo]

What are the Star of David and the crescent and star? Aren't they "religious" symbols also? I just don't get it. It seems like Christian persecution to me.

[maestro]

The Star of David is really the 'Mogan David',.....'Shield of David',.....like the wine company!

The Crescent and star a symbol of the Mason's 'Shriners' Lodge I think?

Or,...........some kind of 'Moon god idolatry' stuff?

Maybe,.....some Mason or Moon-god cultist can clue us in?

Comments?

[usadave]

The communications director for New York City’s law department says, "There is a separation of church and state that is part of the Constitution."

It never ceases to amaze me as to the number of people who are so ignorant in regard to the meaning of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

[who knows what evil?]

This whole thing is kind of silly since Christmas and Jesus Christ really have nothing to do with each other. No one is sure when Christ was born, and there is nothing in the Scriptures that indicate we are to celebrate His birth.

[PurVirgo]

Their response will be to throw out all religious symbols, of course. You can't win with some idiots.

Personally, I am a fan of the all-or-nothing approach.

You either allow all religions and their icons or symbols or you allow none.

Either we are a secular nation, or a pluralistic one. I know, it's not what most of us on FR want, but it is the reality of the world today.

[irv]

You either allow all religions and their icons or symbols or you allow none.

I have no problem with devout Muslims putting something up (as long as its not a flaming model of the World Trade Center), or devout Jews putting something up. I don't accept their religions as valid but the Constitution and basic courtesy don't require that I do.

This business of barring only Christian symbols, OTOH, is blatantly discriminatory and must not be taken lying down.

But your point does raise the question: Is it really okay for the government to oppress every religion equally?

I tend to think not.