School's inclusive Christmas excludes Christ

Chicago Tribune ^ | December 6, 2004 | Jeff Long

[heyheyhey]

When children who attend the McHenry County [Illinois] school gathered in the gym last week to brighten friends and parents with holiday cheer, they sang of lighting candles for Hanukkah, gave their rendition of a Jamaican folk song and even did their lists for Santa.

But their songs never mentioned Christ or the Christmas story--an omission that drew swift criticism from Christian groups pushing public schools to remember the meaning of Christmas.

"The reason for the season is Christmas," said Dave Smith, senior policy analyst for the Illinois Family Institute, a Christian organization. "At least some equal time would have been nice."
[...]

[gimme1ibertee]

Remember...The first 3 letters of the state of Illinois are...ILL.
Nuff said.

[ClearCase_guy]

Inclusion is not about inclusion.
Diversity is not about diversity.

[jtminton]

I don't think this is the big deal that people would like it to be. I have a hard time believing that any non-Christian songs were praising a god or gods. They were singing about lighting candles (albiet on a menorah), some Jamaican song, santa songs, etc. Any Christmas carol that mentions Jesus is usually if not always proclaiming Him as the Son of God. If the other songs are secular, then I have no problem with Christian songs not being included. If the other songs were not secular in nature, then there is a problem.

[reaganaut]

Saw on the news that some school, possibly local, banned "Rudolph" because it MENTIONED "Christmas eve". This is going WAY too far.

[ClearCase_guy]

Your point has some merit, but look at it this way:

Lighting candles for Hanukah is a tacit aknowledgement that Hanukah is a religious holiday. It commemorates the miracle of the oil that lasted 8 days.

The Jews get the commemoration of the reclamation of the Temple after the victory of the Maccabees.
The Christians get Santa.

Somebody is getting short-changed. If the class were singing "Away in a manger" then there would be a balanced approach.

[Rainfall]

I think its just another example of the direction that America is heading, and its not heading in a right direction. Morals, values, God mean very little now days and are taught less. If it doesn't hurt anyone or it feels good its ok. The more that Christ and God is removed from our public life the worse things will become here. I heard it said once that if you want to destroy a nation, corrupt the kids, and we sure are doing that. Disrespect, rebellion, do your own thing, self centeredness is whats being taught now. I cant believe the things my boys tell me they have to witness in the public school system. The media is just a franchise of Satan's industry to further destroy anything that is left good in this county. Americas god seems to be money anymore.

Its completely stupid not to mention Christ in Christmas for that is where it originated. It is a Christian holiday no matter what the Nazi's think!

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - Secularization of Christmas

[RightOnline]

Ummmm..................what?

[anonymo001]

i've been watching the news and it seems it's becoming a national trend. before long, i think we are going to be forced to practice underground....personally thats someplace i refuse to go. i'd rather die first.

[beezdotcom]

i think we are going to be forced to practice underground....personally thats someplace i refuse to go. i'd rather die first.

I assume you mean that you'd rather suffer a martyr's death practicing openly, than to take your practices underground? That's noble - just realize there is still a place for the folks who choose to follow the example of the first century Church by meeting in secret.

[anonymo001]

i meant once the other options run out.
i'm still a coward at heart. :^}