Complaint says Santa unconstitutionally told kids the meaning of Christmas

KFVS ^ | December 3, 2003 | AP

[yonif]

Baldwin City, Kansas-AP -- The American Civil Liberties Union is complaining about a minister dressed as Santa Claus who talked to public school kids about the meaning of Christmas.

The A-C-L-U has asked officials to investigate whether elementary schools in Baldwin City, Kansas, allowed a Santa Claus impersonator to discuss Christmas and refer students who seemed to need guidance to Christian resources.

School officials are divided over whether that made him a bad Santa, but the A-C-L-U says he clearly violated the separation of church and state.

Just to be safe, Superintendent Jim White says Santa probably won't be invited back.

[mlmr]

But it is not against the law to discuss the Nativity with children at Christmas. It is just as valid as discussing any and all other cultural events celebrated by our divese population.

[PhilipFreneau]

>> We're there. Scary, isn't it.

Yes it is, but this was prophesied. Paul wrote: "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first. . ." (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

In chapter 12 of the Revelation of Jesus Christ the prophesy refers to the falling away in this manner: it talks about a great woman who brings forth a man-child to rule all nations -- one who is caught up unto God and his throne. Shortly thereafter the devil is cast out of heaven. When he realizes he has been cast out he persecutes the woman who brought forth the man-child. When the woman flees with her child into the wilderness, the devil cast out his mouth a flood after the woman. But the earth helps the woman and swallows up the flood. The devil then becomes wrought with the woman and makes war with the remnant of her seed -- those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

We are now at that latter point where the devil is making war against those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

[American Infidel]

I wonder if the ACLU would have been as upset if a guy in a Santa suit showed up to show school kids how to put condoms on a banana or to pontificate on the 'virtues' of abortion.

[Holly_P]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1033026/posts

[Lijahsbubbe]

or to pontificate on the 'virtues' of abortion

They could find the nativity story very disturbing to them. After all, it is a story of a woman who conceived a Child and chose to have it, even though it was a very threatening situation for her. Then, having no accomodation, she has it in a cave (or stable). So the Child grows up to be a Savior. Now that doesn't bode too well for the pro-abortion crowd, does it?

[Viking2002]

It's either the ACLU or the United States of America. Only one can survive.

Make your choice and stand your ground.

[stands2reason]

I've been in the position of employing Santa Clauses. We called them "actors", not "impersonators."

And you treat your Santas very well. They are hard to find. The good ones can just about dictate their wages.

[cavtrooper21]

What you have to understand is that this is not the norm for Kansas..
Baldwin used to be a quiet farm town with strong conservitive and religious roots. However, in the last 15 years it has become a commuter community for Lawrence (San Fransisco of the Midwest, home of K(gay)U) and Johnson County (Kansas City). Where once kids were dropped off at school by bus and parents driving pickup trucks, there are now soccer moms in SUVs and minivans. $250,000 homes are to be found just north of town and along with the property values, the liberal tide is rising. I'm afraid to say that yet another bastion of conservitive America is slowly sliding beneath the encroaching puddle of sewage that is the New Age / Liberal / socialist model for our nation...

Rant over...

[Sir Charles]

***Really, do the easter bunny and santa clause or christmas trees or even material gifting have anything to do with the celebration of God's mission, sending Jesus Christ, His Son, to atone for our sins?***

Mostly agree, especially with the easter bunny, which I have never associated with Christ's resurrection. But the Christmas season, if fully connected to Church attendance and worship, can and should be a celebration of the joy of the birth of our Savior. To be sure, it's been commercialized almost to the point of destruction, and calling it "winter holiday" or some other camouflage is a disgrace. But Christmas still brings families together and can be a joyous time for those Christians who still remember what the season was meant to celebrate, at least as long as I can remember. We are still free to celebrate it as it was meant to be, regardless of what the non believers prefer.

[Dionysius]

Yeah! It'll be "Rudy the Red-tipped Rubber" and "Frostie the Vacuum".

[knak]

That's what's next huh? Getting rid of Christmas! We can't let anyone celebrate that, it might offend someone!

I AM SO SICK OF THIS CRAP!

[MattAMiller]

Of course I'm sure that everybody here would be thrilled if somebody went to a public school and urged the kids to look into Islamic resources.

How about we just don't have adults come into schools to instruct other people's kids in religous matters.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

It sounds like this rant may be over, but the woes of that community have just begun.

My condolences, from rural GA.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

How about we just don't have adults come into schools to instruct other people's kids

End the statement there...

and keep Planned Parenthood out of the schools, too!

[PFKEY]

As I understand Christmas. It is a holiday based on the birth of Christ. It is not a religious holiday in the sense that Christians are commanded to celebrate or observe it in any way.

Basically it is a secular holiday. With that in mind I see and have no issues with the way anybody chooses to celebrate Christmas short of turning in into a religious holiday wherein someone might incorporate it into a sunday worship service.

[MissAmericanPie]

What? Not a peep out of them about kids being taught Islam, fasting, and planning jihads in school?

Can we press charges against the ACLU with the Anti-American Activities Committee?

[PFKEY]

We are now at that latter point where the devil is making war against those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I would say that latter point that war has been going on since the begining of time. Since Adam and Eve.

Nothing new under the sun.

[Clintonfatigued]

This is bulls**t!

[Clintonfatigued]

Well, Santa Claus is based, in part, on St. Nicholas, a very devout Catholic bishop from southern Russia who was known for his cheerful disposition and generousity. And the tradidion of giving gifts was derived from the Three Wise Men giving gifts to Jesus and his parents. But your basic point is right: extreme, militant secularists are trying to deny mention of Christ on His birthday, and eventually put an end to any religious faith at all. They will succeed if people say they have already succeeded.

[cavtrooper21]

My wife and I saw the signs several years ago and made the choice between family values and property values..
We moved about 30 miles north of Lawrence to a little town at the end of a really rough 1 1/2 lane black top/cinder road. Keeps the rif-raf (soccer moms and yuppy liberals) out.
We still feed at the trough (we work in Lawrence) but we don't feel we need to wallow in the filth.