Discussion: Christmas Songs in Schools
Thursday November 11, 2004
Keith writes: Apparently there is an ACLU-backed lawsuit about religious Christmas Carols being sung in public schools. This is bothering me. I don't like gag rules and I see no establishment of religion by singing a few songs. I feel perfectly capable of telling my son about myths and how they can be fun, but some people take them seriously. It wouldn't bother me one bit for him to sing "Silent Night" at school. ... I don't see what the stink is.I don't believe in eliminating religious expression "by court order." So long as the child has the option not to participate, and has the opportunity to express other religious views, I find no oppressive government establishment of religion by singing a few songs. I think that we've much more important civil liberties issues with which to deal than a few songs the kid will hear on the radio or in the mall anyway.
How do you feel about the singing of Christmas carols in public schools - should they be permitted as part of traditional programs, or should they be ended entirely as unconstitutional religious observances? Personally, I don't feel that the presence of some carols should be a problem - particularly those which are of a more general nature. So long as a music program isn't completely devoted to religious carols, it shouldn't be a problem. Read More...
Comments
I think it is outrageous now how people think that celebrating Christmas is wrong. I do understand that some people have different religions but once upon a time this use to be a country where we celebrated Christmas and siad “Merry Christmas” to our fellow neighbors. Now everything is Happy Holidays, all because of what?because of new religions and the phrase “Merry Christmas” makes them uncomfortable.Well i think that all these people should go where their religion is supported. As for the schools, now you can’t even pray in school. It’s outrageous. I think that in school there is no problem what so ever to sing religion christmas songs after all christmas is a religious holiday right? Let’s see I think we celebrate CHRISTmas for our Christ’s birthday. So why not be able to sing praises in his name? Of course people have the option not to join and others will have the option to join. but why should others be punished because some other peole don’t like christmas or believe in jesus? I think that there is no reason we should not say “Merry Christmas”, have it posted on our websites or even in our grocery stores and i most certainly do not have anything against religious christmas songs being sung ANYWHERE.
Please cite examples of people saying this.
Even if they didn’t celebrate Christmas?
Because people celebrate different and multiple holidays?
Alll religions are equal in America.
Please provide evidence that you can’t pray in school.
For some it is; for others, it is not.
Do you celebrate MASS at ChristMAS?
In what ways have you been “punished”?
This isn’t just a religious problem. Its a musical one too. Children get musical education from singing songs regardless of the words. Most of the songs are traditional, therefore copyright free. It becomes complicated when you start using modern songs. It means, depriving children of religious songs in a sense is depriving children of music. Also, we should be proud of these songs. Little donkey has been passed down through generations. I’m not particularly religious, but I do see the importance of music especially in schools where music is dwindling. Singing songs is fun - and singing traditional songs is absent of any copyright headache.