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You still don't know who is offended? The people who are offended are: 1) immigrants to this country who refuse to assimilate, and don't like America, and 2) American liberals who think these people will assimilate if we take away our offensive holidays, thus making our country more likable.
And if you still don't know who is offended, I'll give you a hint. It is those who belong to the religion of peace.
I don't know a single liberal who wants to ban Thanksgiving. I just think this principal's brain is in outer space.
It's relevant because a government can't justify closing schools or offices by stating it wants to commemorate a special day for Christianity or to give Christians more time to go to church. They have to give a secular reason, like it doesn't pay to stay open because so many students don't show up.
The definition of "secular is": denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.
Closing a school due to religious reasons
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like it doesn't pay to stay open because so many students don't show up
is not a secular reason for closing on those days.
I know plenty of Jews who have Christmas trees and celebrate Christmas because it has turned into more of an American tradition than a Christian Holiday.
YMMV.
I am one, but I do not have a Christmas tree because it is an American tradition to do so. I have one because my wife is nominally Christian, although we are both basically nonbelievers.
The New Testament contains much that is beautiful and wise; you don't have to be a Christian or even believe in God to get value from it.
It's relevant because a government can't justify closing schools or offices by stating it wants to commemorate a special day for Christianity or to give Christians more time to go to church. They have to give a secular reason, like it doesn't pay to stay open because so many students don't show up.
There are several holidays on which all public schools are closed in Maryland by state law. Good Friday is one of them.
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Originally Posted by HappyTexan
And Good Friday is one of those religious days that the school has to make up a name for.
Exactly. This thread is nothing but a poorly disguised excuse to "bash them damn libruls"
Excuse me, but I started this thread and I did not start it to "bash libruls." I live in NJ which means I live 20 miles from Brooklyn so this made local news here because it was ridiculous. Even the district in such a liberal city like New York shot down this principal's proposal in the name of equality, in recognizing everyone and their beliefs. Shutting down/renaming Thanksgiving, a secular national holiday, is certainly not being sensitive to ALL beliefs like the principal claimed. Neither is banning Santa or the Pledge. The district made the correct decision and, as they said, are the ones who are truly being sensitive and aware of all beliefs. If someone wants to sit out the Pledge or a holiday party of any kind, they have that freedom. But if it doesn't even exist at all in the first place, people who DO want to participate and celebrate don't even have that option to begin with. So what's more equal/fair? Offering it and having the freedom to sit it out and not participate or not offering it so those who DO want to participate don't even have the option at all?
So if you have a problem with "bashing them damn libruls" take it up with the NYC school district (a very liberal, diverse city) who reinstated the previous calendar and plans this principal took it upon herself to change.
Good for the principal. Assuming you went to a public school, you shouldn't be having nativity plays. Why? Because they are religious, and public schools are strictly prohibited from promoting religion. It's that pesky principle called "Separation of Church and State." Besides, you've fallen into the common mental trap of believing that majority rules. Although John Stuart Mill was partially correct, "the greatest good for the greatest number" is something one should consider, it's not a diehard rule which should be followed to the extent of oppressing a minority. Thus, the Civil Rights movement, abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, and other important human rights movements occurred, in which majority rule was overturned for the good of both the minority populations, and humanity at large.
I think in this situation majority should rule. Seriously you have a Established community that has preformed the same religious play approved by the PTA, celebrated Christmas with displays and blzars and taken Chirstmas vacation and one family moves in who dissent believe in Jesus and that one should be able to set /change tradition?
That's crazy.
But you are correct, separation of church and state. The principle is correct in banning all Christmas activities.
No, it is a religious holiday that has been commercialized because of capitalism and materialism in this country. I really don't like when people try to dilute Christmas as less than religious. It is a religious holiday that has been changed with time to allow anyone to celebrate it, right or wrong, but it is still important for those who believe in Christ and are Christians... you know, the holiday's namesake.
The holiday is not technically secular but symbols for the holiday have become more secular with time - like Santa, and Christmas trees - only because nonreligious people wanted in and started celebrating it, too. This is fine with me as long as we give credit where it's due - there are millions of people who go to church on Christmas and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many of those people also go to church weekly and would consider themselves devout Christians. This is their/our holiday. I don't care who else celebrates it as long as we can always recognize that it IS actually a religious holiday, and give that respect.
Then the principle would be correct in banning Christmas activities in the school.
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