Posted on 12/13/2004 8:27:50 PM PST by Kuksool
Political correct “diversity” advocates are often more solicitous of Muslim and non-Christian “holy days” than those celebrated by Christians, despite our nation’s Biblical heritage.
In Naperville, in my own back yard, school District 204 (Indian Prairie School District) not only tolerated but encouraged school remembrance of the Muslim holiday, Ramadan (which ended last month).
The following email was sent to administrators of School District 204 in Naperville-Aurora, urging special recognition of the Muslim holiday, Ramadan. I have yet to receive a return call from the author of the memo, Donna Crawford, Assistant Superintendent Elementary Education, asking if the same official respect has been accorded Christmas, as a Christian holy day. Emphasis is added:
"To: 204 Administration List
Subject: [204 Administration List] Ramadan begins 10/15
"Ramadan begins today and ends Nov 14th. For more than a billion Muslims around the world -- including some 8 million in North America -- Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. Ramadan observance focuses on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).
"For our Muslim students, staff and parents, please be mindful of fasting by offering alternative activity options during lunch period or other activities which may include food and beverages. Asking students about ways in which they may want to be accommodated is beneficial. Accommodations are especially important in regards to physical education classes. P.E. teachers may offer alternatives to rigorous physical exercise for the fasting students.
"Schools may also support Muslim students by arranging a place for prayer. The five essential times of prayer include: at first light and before sunrise, between the sun reaching it height and mid-afternoon, between mid-afternoon and sunset, after the sun has finished setting, in the dark of night.
"Students may also be absent from school for required religious observance. Some students will attend school after observing prayers.
"Other information about Ramadan .....
"Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar -- that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year.
"Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve (when they reach puberty). During Ramadan Muslims get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost. Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.
"Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2004 occurs on November 14. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family. A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques."
Donna Crawford
Assistant Superintendent Elementary Education
Indian Prairie School District 204
Phone 630.375.3025
Fax 630.375.3004
www.ipsd.org
____________________________________________________________________
Now, I'm all for ethnic diversity (my wife Cristina is half Lebanese, and the first in her family to be born in the USA). But isn't it interesting that in Muslim-dominated countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Christians and other non-Muslims are persecuted, while here we not only encourage respect for other faiths but erase our own Judeo-Christian heritage? No healthy civilization censors its own noble history!
America's religious freedom and embrace of immigrants is part of what makes us a great nation, but what the ACLU and its secularist allies refuse to teach the next generation is that our national experiment in freedom was made possible by our Christian heritage. We must not allow those who would strip Christianity from our public life to triumph or it will hasten the moral collapse of our nation.
Thank you for standing for Biblical truth in the culture. May the God of Christmas bless you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Peter LaBarbera
Executive Director
Respond to: info@illinoisfamily.org
>>>>Obviously I must have replyed to the wrong person. I thought you were the one who said something about getting to the kids slowly about not having anything to do with christmas and then don't realize anything is wrong.
Yes that was post 61.
I asked you what you were talking about in the reply to post 46.
For some reason, rodeo is almost as much a religion down here as NASCAR is.
And before the flames start, I am a Texas girl born and bred. I just don't see the utility in a month-long orgy of barrel-racin' and hog-chasin' and feedstock-showin' and cotton-candy-eatin' and diamonds-with-demin-wearin'.
I guess I was thinking that it was only 15 years ago when my son being in public school prayed and no said a word about it. I don't know what would happen today. I remember the teacher was so proud of him and the other boy for leading them in prayer when everyone was so scared.
Time to go to bed. I am confusing myself. lol
That was an awesome clip!
Makes this thread from last year worth bumping again :)
See, this is where you are confusing me.
When did you need to take the kids out of school for church?
OMG, I totally missed the date!
Oh, the hell with it . . . just enjoy the Wizards of Winter!
In case you're curious, the music is Trans Siberian Orchestra. Rocks, don't it?
Alright. Now I'm really confused.
I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time following you.
If your children were allowed to pray in school, when did you need to take them out to go to church?
Ok. Good night.
I've got it playing again minimized just to listen to the music. I love it!
I've no idea why red irish took this out of archive. There are going to be alot of confused freepers here :P
Who cares, as long as it gave us a cool soundtrack?
TSO is an amazing band. I would LOVE to see 'em live.
We never took the kids out because it didn't seem right even though they were suppose to go to church that day. But I wonder what would happen if I would have tried that. Now please bear with me as I have said I am tired and my back has been in pain all week and a couple of hours ago I had to take a pain pill. I hate the darn things. But the pain was getting unbearable and it goes down to my legs. Sorry for any confusion.
I'm off to google now to see what else TSO has online
I'm sorry for your pain. I'm just trying to follow you. And I'm just getting more confused.
I'll let you go now because I don't think you are in a state of mind to try to explain to me.
Have a good night.
bump
They got Easter without a fight. My current employer gives me neither Good Friday nor Easter itself off. But Christmas is a bit harder.
It's been an ongoing fight throughout the decade, but now I immediately wish "Merry Christmas" as a match to any "Happy Holidays." Quite often the greeter becomes embarrassed and says, "Of course."
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