Posted on 12/26/2005 8:11:14 AM PST by Conservatrix
To the Editor:
"Last week I substituted at a local elementary school in Lebanon County. The lesson plan required me to read the 1882 poem “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore to two classes of students. While I can appreciate the poem for its literary value, the subject matter is offensive to me, and the reading of this poem to the children imposed values upon me which are against my deeply held religious beliefs. I could not in good conscience present the notion of Santa Claus as a truth to the children, and stated so.
No public school teacher should be required to teach a belief, or custom, or religion that he or she believes to be false, or be required to pass those purported falsehoods onto impressionable children, without the right to state a disclaimer. Furthermore, freedom of speech and religion, no matter how unpopular the speech or against cultural norms the religion, are protected rights under the Constitution of the United States. A secular public school should not be propagating any kind of religion. The belief in Santa Claus as a divine, magical, omniscient, powerful, giving, loving father-figure, to which children are taught to make supplications and requests, is a religion indeed-- a distorted substitute for the Judeo-Christian God; a false form of Christianity; a zealously-protected American idol.
In presenting the poem, I gave the children quick historical background about the Santa Claus myth-- its evolution from the historic Nickolaus, Bishop of Myrna in Asia Minor, who died in 343 A.D., to its amalgamation with ancient Western pagan traditions of German, Scandinavian and Dutch origins, to the current manifestation in the secular Christmas culture of today. (Dutch children, for example, would put their wooden shoes out at night for “Sante Klaus” to fill with candies.)
The current Santa Claus figure was popularized in the late 19th Century by artist Thomas Nast of Harper’s Weekly Magazine, who depicted “Saint Nick,” not as an elf, but a rotund, pipe-smoking man in a red and white suit. This is the deity to which countless public school children today are taught to make supplications, and about whom they sing their many songs at annual public school Christmas programs.
If people are upset about the revelation to children that Santa Claus is a myth-- which all children who are taught this lie find or figure out eventually-- perhaps it is because Santa is that zealously-guarded idol of their own modern religion. Therefore, as a religion, let Santa be kept out of the public school classroom (no more “Dear Santa” letters to line those school hallways)--or perhaps, in the interest of “diversity,” make his mythical, oversized personage share equal representation in literature, and song, and Christmas programs, with the other Person of the season: the Lord Jesus Christ, God made flesh, God with us."
That's wonderful. I hope that when my daughter discovers the truth, she will not ruin the magic for her little brother. And I hope she is as amazed as your son.
No public school teacher should be required to teach a belief, or custom, or religion that he or she believes to be false,"<<< Good point!...If they believe that strongly, they should do the honorable thing and quit before involving themselves!!...
What about Hanukkah Harry?
That has to be the funniest post on this thread.
My 9 year old twin daughters were sick and on ventilators in the hospital during their first Christmas. One almost died on Christmas Eve, and the other on New Year's Eve. Santa didn't come to our house until they were both home from the hospital, January 25.
I think we almost go overboard on Christmas now because my husband and I remember what real presents we have, their lives.
I'll say a prayer for your brother-in-law and his family. I'm very sorry for their loss.
Reporters are in the business of getting printed. The stories which get printed are the stories that generate controversy. A reporter will do what he needs to do in order to generate such controversy
A well-placed source might have promises to him kept -- not out of honor, but to keep him as a source. A one-shot source is different, and may be burned with impunity. Speaking as somebody who has dealt with reporters
On Christmas Eve, I read two things to my kids. I tell read about the birth of Jesus, and then I read for fun "Twas the Night Before Christmas". The funny thing is that I usually read about the birth of Jesus from a kids' Bible story book. I started reading it this year, and my 9 year old daughter asked me if I could read it from the real Bible. She told me they weren't little kids, and she wanted the real Bible story.
(She seems like she still really believes in Santa, and I'm shocked. She and her twin sister kept close watch of the Norad website to make sure they were in bed before before Santa got here.)
And they expect presents without regard to being naughty or nice.
I think the socialists hate the very idea that goodness should be rewarded more than naughtiness.
Amen
Kalee, Anglican, Republican and Virginian :)
I've still got a 27 and 24 year old niece and nephew who EXPECT "Santa Claus" presents wrapped in tissue paper with their stockings laid over their "pile!"
I'd still like to know how that particular poster knows that.
Upon this tirade the children were nestled asleep at their desks, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
We always get presents from Santa, Bless him.
How brave she is using six-year olds to make her point. This teacher is only one of many like her in this new age of narcissism. Increasingly, we are subjected to the haughtiness of pathetic individuals who have not been raised in an atmosphere which teaches manners, grace, respect, timing. Of individuals who so crave attention for themselves and their own ideas that they do not care who they hurt or run over in the process.
I pity her and all those who think like her.
"Don't we?"
Don't include me...
I am guessing that she won't be teaching anytime soon.
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