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.
Xmas was used by medieval Europeans as short-hand for Christmas. It is NOT sacriligious.
I know...but this Jowsey joker IS!!!
What does that have to do with the article?
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.
This was covered under a previous thread here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1537850/posts
"...do not celebrate Christmas and oppose the "historical dominance of Christianity" in Australia."
Whatever happened to saying "too bad" to these people?
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.
Whatever happened to raising the middle digit to them?
The 'X' (Chi) is also the first letter of 'Christ' in Greek, I believe.
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..
Happy RamuHanuKwanzmas, Clemenza. :-)
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!!
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". ;)
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.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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!!
...and we all know how successful he was in stopping Christmas...
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