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Say sorry for Xmas
Herald Sun ^ | 11 December 2005 | JESSICA LAWRENCE

Posted on 12/10/2005 4:53:00 PM PST by Aussie Dasher

A SCHOOL principal has apologised for "over-using" the word Christmas in a controversy branded political correctness gone crazy.

The head, Laurelle Allen, wrote the apology after a father claimed she had discriminated against his family by using Christmas too many times in newsletters. Paul and Melanie Jowsey -- whose children Charles, 10, and Harrison, eight, attend Yeppoon State School in central Queensland -- do not celebrate Christmas and oppose the "historical dominance of Christianity" in Australia.

Mr Jowsey complained that Ms Allen used Christmas at least 10 times in three newsletters over a week. But community leaders, teachers and family groups say Ms Allen need not have apologised.

Australian Family Association Queensland president Alistair Barros said: "It is political correctness gone crazy. Christmas is something which is part of Australian heritage and is accepted by people of all sorts of denominations."

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said principals should be free to discuss Christmas at will.

"Christmas is important as a celebration and Christians should be able to celebrate," he said.

But an unrepentant Mr Jowsey claimed religious celebrations had "no place" in state schools.


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: antichristmas; apology; atheism; christmas; jesusbirthday; pc; principal
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Mr. Jowsey is a total d*ckhead! There must be some law we can deport him under...
1 posted on 12/10/2005 4:53:01 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
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To: Aussie Dasher

Xmas was used by medieval Europeans as short-hand for Christmas. It is NOT sacriligious.


2 posted on 12/10/2005 4:54:33 PM PST by Clemenza (Free minds, Free markets, Free society)
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To: Clemenza

I know...but this Jowsey joker IS!!!


3 posted on 12/10/2005 4:56:57 PM PST by Aussie Dasher (The Great Ronald Reagan & John Paul II - Heaven's Dream Team!)
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To: Clemenza

What does that have to do with the article?


4 posted on 12/10/2005 5:00:45 PM PST by The Grammarian
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To: Clemenza
Xmas was used by medieval Europeans as short-hand for Christmas. It is NOT sacriligious.

I didn't know that. Seriesly? I remember when I was a child, my mother did not approve of people writing "Xmas" instead of Christmas. She felt one should keep the actual word, "Christ" in Christmas and not use shorthand for it. As far as I know, she didn't have anything against medieval Europeans. lol Even after all these years, I never, ever write down Xmas on anything.

5 posted on 12/10/2005 5:04:06 PM PST by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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To: Aussie Dasher

This was covered under a previous thread here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1537850/posts


6 posted on 12/10/2005 5:07:37 PM PST by bulldozer
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To: Aussie Dasher

"...do not celebrate Christmas and oppose the "historical dominance of Christianity" in Australia."

Whatever happened to saying "too bad" to these people?


7 posted on 12/10/2005 5:10:21 PM PST by Firefigher NC (Volunteer firefighters- standing tall, serving proud in the tradition of Ben Franklin.)
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To: Chena

As legend has it, a symbol of a cross was used for the "Christ" in Christmas. An "X" is the closest thing we have in our alphabet to a symbol for a cross. I'm not an historian, but that's my understanding of it.


8 posted on 12/10/2005 5:11:15 PM PST by manwiththehands (Happy RamaHanuKwanzMas!)
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To: Firefigher NC

Whatever happened to raising the middle digit to them?


9 posted on 12/10/2005 5:12:18 PM PST by Aussie Dasher (The Great Ronald Reagan & John Paul II - Heaven's Dream Team!)
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To: manwiththehands

The 'X' (Chi) is also the first letter of 'Christ' in Greek, I believe.


10 posted on 12/10/2005 5:13:29 PM PST by Young Scholar
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To: manwiththehands
Hmm. Why not the lower-case "t" instead?

I've heard that the abbreviation is as you say it is, but it just doesn't make sense. Why, of all holidays, we feel too lazy to write out "Christmas" and instead have to abbreviate? Why not H'ween? Or, S'Vtines Day? Or Ckuh? R-Shana? R'dan?

No, I don't buy the historical or the contemporary need to abbreviate Christmas with an "X" conveniently over the letters that just so happen to spell "Christ."

Xmas, especially in its present-day context, is just another tool to eradicate Christmas and all its traditions..

11 posted on 12/10/2005 5:22:59 PM PST by Lou L
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To: Clemenza

Happy RamuHanuKwanzmas, Clemenza. :-)


12 posted on 12/10/2005 5:23:50 PM PST by Herford Turley (Conservatism will save America)
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To: Young Scholar

Not that I believe there is any need to replace Christ in Christmas, I recall a reference to the X being introduced because it is also the symbol of a St. Andrew's cross. I cannot recall the rationale as to why it was done, though.

Merry Christmas to all!!


13 posted on 12/10/2005 5:46:45 PM PST by TheyCallMeDad (I have 14 children. Donations always accepted! :))
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To: TheyCallMeDad; Young Scholar; Clemenza
Although it is a common misconception that the term Xmas is disrespectful, its origins show this not to be true. The Greek word for Christ is Xristos, and the letter "X" was frequently used as a religous symbol. Thus Xmas is merely an abbreviated form of the word Christmas and was first used by Europeans in the 16th century.
14 posted on 12/10/2005 5:54:09 PM PST by wardaddy (A Christian President whom I like who would say Christmas on his cards is all I ask for.)
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To: manwiththehands

Thanks for that tidbit of information, manwiththehands. I've read a few theories now and even if some or all are true, I will still always write out "Christmas". I can't find one good reason to shorten it. When there isn't enough space or time for "Christ", then we are all "xxx'd". ;)


15 posted on 12/10/2005 5:57:36 PM PST by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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To: Aussie Dasher

Well dont get too upset when someone wishes you Happy Holidays. The word Holidays is short for Holy days

So Happy Holy days.

Cant wait to see the Atheists try to find a new greeting.


16 posted on 12/10/2005 6:08:51 PM PST by sgtbono2002
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To: Chena
Me, too. "Xmas" just looks stupid, anyway.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

17 posted on 12/10/2005 6:19:03 PM PST by manwiththehands (Happy RamaHanuKwanzMas!)
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To: Aussie Dasher

For those of you that get the "Hallmark" channel its a Christmas bonanza, one Christmas show after another its great!

Support those who support Christmas, buy Hallmark cards and gifts.

Merry Christmas everyone!!


18 posted on 12/10/2005 6:25:07 PM PST by TheForceOfOne
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To: Young Scholar
"Don't wish me 'merry Xmas," or 'happy holidays."
Put Christ back into Christmas on this blessed holy day.
Red Foley, 1953
19 posted on 12/10/2005 6:42:57 PM PST by Fiji Hill
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To: Aussie Dasher

Mr. Paul Jowsey

...and we all know how successful he was in stopping Christmas...

20 posted on 12/10/2005 6:50:32 PM PST by Reaganesque
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