Posted on 12/09/2010 4:12:22 PM PST by NYer
School superintendents across the state were reminded by the ACLU this week that holiday celebrations focusing primarily on one religious holiday amount to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) letter, addressed to 137 public shool leaders across the state, stated that it was responding to a number of complaints from families about school party activites this Christmas season.
Hedy Weinburg, ACLU executive director in Tennessee, cited several U.S. Supreme Court decisions about the matter.
But several area citizens, like Jim Brown, think that such admonitions are misguided and potentially dangerous. Brown commented on the news, saying "We are a Christian nation. Let's act like it." and said that he hopes that the teachers and administration will celebrate the Christmas season.
Said one area teacher (name withheld), "I respect people of different faiths, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to eliminate my own from my work and and my classroom. I can enjoy Christmas as Christmas without worrying that I'm going to offend someone. My money still says that I trust in God. Are they going to stop me from using that, too?"
The letter was sent from the ACLU to the top administrators across the state. What those administrators do with the information is yet to be seen.
Tulips are Dutch
Roses are British
If it wasn't for Christmas
We'd all speak Yiddish!
Excellent!
So this is basically an issue of class parties and school performances before the Winter Break, from what I read. So why is it a problem to recognIze the several religious/cultural traditions that happen at this season? Or do we need to have one party for Chanukkah, another for Christmas, a third for Divaliperhaps, and a fourth for Kwaanza? And what about the Winter Solstice?
What do you say to the kid in your class who participates in Chanukkah or Kwaanza? “Sorry, we outnumber you,” or “Our holiday is the REAL/important one?”
Thanks
That is correct!
US Code
TITLE 5 > PART III > Subpart E > CHAPTER 61 > SUBCHAPTER I > § 6103
§ 6103. Holidays(a) The following are legal public holidays:
New Year’s Day, January 1.
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the third Monday in January.
Washington’s Birthday, the third Monday in February.
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.
Independence Day, July 4.
Labor Day, the first Monday in September.
Columbus Day, the second Monday in October.
Veterans Day, November 11.
Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November.
Christmas Day, December 25.
(b) For the purpose of statutes relating to pay and leave of employees, with respect to a legal public holiday and any other day declared to be a holiday by Federal statute or Executive order, the following rules apply:
(1) Instead of a holiday that occurs on a Saturday, the Friday immediately before is a legal public holiday for—
(A) employees whose basic workweek is Monday through Friday; and
(B) the purpose of section 6309 [1] of this title. (2) Instead of a holiday that occurs on a regular weekly non-workday of an employee whose basic workweek is other than Monday through Friday, except the regular weekly non-workday administratively scheduled for the employee instead of Sunday, the workday immediately before that regular weekly nonworkday is a legal public holiday for the employee.
(3) Instead of a holiday that is designated under subsection (a) to occur on a Monday, for an employee at a duty post outside the United States whose basic workweek is other than Monday through Friday, and for whom Monday is a regularly scheduled workday, the legal public holiday is the first workday of the workweek in which the Monday designated for the observance of such holiday under subsection (a) occurs.
This subsection, except subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), does not apply to an employee whose basic workweek is Monday through Saturday.
(c) January 20 of each fourth year after 1965, Inauguration Day, is a legal public holiday for the purpose of statutes relating to pay and leave of employees as defined by section 2105 of this title and individuals employed by the government of the District of Columbia employed in the District of Columbia, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland, Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia, and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia. When January 20 of any fourth year after 1965 falls on Sunday, the next succeeding day selected for the public observance of the inauguration of the President is a legal public holiday for the purpose of this subsection.
(d)
(1) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the term “compressed schedule” has the meaning given such term by section 6121 (5); and
(B) the term “adverse agency impact” has the meaning given such term by section 6131 (b).
(2) An agency may prescribe rules under which employees on a compressed schedule may, in the case of a holiday that occurs on a regularly scheduled non-workday for such employees, and notwithstanding any other provision of law or the terms of any collective bargaining agreement, be required to observe such holiday on a workday other than as provided by subsection (b), if the agency head determines that it is necessary to do so in order to prevent an adverse agency impact.
That should be almost exactly what you say. That's how a majority rule/minority rights nation is supposed to work.
I regard the ACLU as an anti-Christian hate group.
The ACLU was founded by a Communist, and was from its inception a pro-Soviet front group.
So you are willing to say to every Jewish FReeper, that their holidays aren’t important or valid?
Your world must be very small, if you aren’t willing to share it with anyone from a different religion. I thank G-d you’re not my child’s teacher.
“MrB warns ACLU - beware swift kick in the nuts”
Not that they aren't important or valid, just that the prevailing culture won't dedicate any resources for tribute.
Your world must be very small, if you aren’t willing to share it with anyone from a different religion. I thank G-d you’re not my child’s teacher.
What you should do, is thank God that you live among a majority culture of Christians of European descent, because we are the creators of the concept of majority rule with minority rights and the most consistent practitioners of government of that form.
And if you have any doubts, ask yourself why the world of all religions and ethnicities is beating down the doors to live among us? If we're so bad as minority religions and ethnicities have portrayed us in the media and academia, then why does everyone follow us wherever we go (US, Australia, Canada, etc.)?
I’m sorry if I sounded harsh, but I don’t think it hurts to recognize in a school that there is more than one religious holiday happening at the same time, talk about the reasons why, and make Jews and others feel welcome by recognizing their religions, too. Trust me, the Jewish kids I have worked with were well aware they were members of a minority, surrounded by Christians. They felt honored when people actually bothered to recognize or acknowledge their traditions. I feel that it’s the friendly, caring thing to do, especially in a school. And I don’t think substantial resources are expended in teaching kids to sing “The Dreidel Song” as well as “Jingle Bells”.
Champagne’s for sippin’
Beer is for guzzlin’
If it wasn’t for Christmas
The world would be muslim.
Just another reason for the season :-)
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