Antimulticulture
2005-12-20 10:49:36 UTC
Neo-Narkzi Watch:
Grinches working overtime in schools
'Silent Night' silenced, 'Merry Christmas' censored, candy-cane story spiked
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47993
December 19, 2005
The war on Christmas continues to rage in America's public schools, but so
does the counteroffensive.
In Mine Hill, N.J., elementary school officials changed the title and words
to "Silent Night" in its "X-mas Files" concert program. They are also
accused of forbidding students from writing "Merry Christmas" in class in
English - only the Spanish translation of Feliz Navidad was permitted,
according to parents. Students were encouraged to bring in music selections,
but cautioned not to choose any "religious" songs.
"Silent night, holy night" was changed to "Silent night, winter night" by
the officials at the Mine Hill Canfield Avenue School, according to an
attorney from the Alliance Defense Fund, which is challenging the action.
An attorney form the group sent a letter to the superintendent of the school
on behalf of a parent concerned about the apparent censorship of Christmas
occurring there year after year. Copies were also sent to the assistant
principal, the president of the school's board of education and six board
members.
"It's remarkable that we even have to debate whether or not it's okay to
celebrate Christmas at school," said ADF-allied attorney Demetrios Stratis.
"The Constitution does not require government officials to expunge religious
observances and expression from public schools. The common perception by
many school officials that such expression violates the law is simply in
error."
Stratis explained the Supreme Court has never ruled that saying "Merry
Christmas" or having a merry Christmas is illegal.
"Christmas cards, cookies, presents, carols, colors, trees, lights, or
wreaths are all acceptable in public schools under the law," he said.
School officials refused to accept delivery of Stratis' letter.
"It seems that these school officials are behaving as though they answer to
no one," said Stratis. "Apparently they have forgotten that they are in fact
public servants, accountable to the people of this community. It's a sad day
in America when a public-school parent needs to retain a lawyer in order to
ensure his child can participate in a Christmas concert without confronting
official censorship."
As part of ADF's Christmas Project, ADF-allied attorneys have contacted more
than 11,000 school districts nationwide so far this year to inform them of
the truth regarding religious expression at Christmastime.
ADF is a legal alliance defending what is calls "America's first liberty -
religious freedom" - through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.
Meanwhile, another ADF attorney has asked for the reversal of a ban on
religious symbolism and references to Christmas at a Colorado elementary
school.
"It's sad that we even have to discuss whether it's OK to use religious
language and symbolism related to Christmas in an elementary school," said
ADF Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson. "Many schools are simply not aware of
what the law truly says about public religious expression at Christmastime.
This is a particularly egregious example of political correctness [ed - cultural
Marxism] outweighing common sense."
Heritage Elementary School officials prohibited a student from bringing a
Nativity scene to school and from sharing the Christmas story, banned candy
canes bearing a legendary story about their religious symbolism, and
outlawed cookies in the shape of traditional Christmas symbols. Teachers and
students are also not allowed to refer to school gatherings as "Christmas"
parties.
According to reports ADF has received from parents, Heritage Elementary
School officials have warned students, parents, and teachers that all forms
of religious expression will not be tolerated.
"Banning religious aspects of a federal holiday is not necessary under the
Constitution, and it shows hostility towards the majority of the population
who celebrate the holiday. According to a recent poll, 95 percent of
Americans celebrate Christmas," Johnson said.
Meanwhile, according to another religious freedom activist, teachers in a
Texas public school teachers were informed that they could not mention the
word "Christmas" or tell the historical nativity story because someone in
the district might sue.
"All other secular customs of the 'winter holiday' were deemed to be OK,
just not the religious symbols of Christianity," said John Whitehead of the
Rutherford Institute. "Teaching these lessons to children, who are the
nation's future leaders, does not bode well for America and the future of
our religious freedoms."
--
Jim
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Western_Nationalist
Unite Against Multiculty
"Abolish Multiculty and String Up The Traitors!"
Grinches working overtime in schools
'Silent Night' silenced, 'Merry Christmas' censored, candy-cane story spiked
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47993
December 19, 2005
The war on Christmas continues to rage in America's public schools, but so
does the counteroffensive.
In Mine Hill, N.J., elementary school officials changed the title and words
to "Silent Night" in its "X-mas Files" concert program. They are also
accused of forbidding students from writing "Merry Christmas" in class in
English - only the Spanish translation of Feliz Navidad was permitted,
according to parents. Students were encouraged to bring in music selections,
but cautioned not to choose any "religious" songs.
"Silent night, holy night" was changed to "Silent night, winter night" by
the officials at the Mine Hill Canfield Avenue School, according to an
attorney from the Alliance Defense Fund, which is challenging the action.
An attorney form the group sent a letter to the superintendent of the school
on behalf of a parent concerned about the apparent censorship of Christmas
occurring there year after year. Copies were also sent to the assistant
principal, the president of the school's board of education and six board
members.
"It's remarkable that we even have to debate whether or not it's okay to
celebrate Christmas at school," said ADF-allied attorney Demetrios Stratis.
"The Constitution does not require government officials to expunge religious
observances and expression from public schools. The common perception by
many school officials that such expression violates the law is simply in
error."
Stratis explained the Supreme Court has never ruled that saying "Merry
Christmas" or having a merry Christmas is illegal.
"Christmas cards, cookies, presents, carols, colors, trees, lights, or
wreaths are all acceptable in public schools under the law," he said.
School officials refused to accept delivery of Stratis' letter.
"It seems that these school officials are behaving as though they answer to
no one," said Stratis. "Apparently they have forgotten that they are in fact
public servants, accountable to the people of this community. It's a sad day
in America when a public-school parent needs to retain a lawyer in order to
ensure his child can participate in a Christmas concert without confronting
official censorship."
As part of ADF's Christmas Project, ADF-allied attorneys have contacted more
than 11,000 school districts nationwide so far this year to inform them of
the truth regarding religious expression at Christmastime.
ADF is a legal alliance defending what is calls "America's first liberty -
religious freedom" - through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.
Meanwhile, another ADF attorney has asked for the reversal of a ban on
religious symbolism and references to Christmas at a Colorado elementary
school.
"It's sad that we even have to discuss whether it's OK to use religious
language and symbolism related to Christmas in an elementary school," said
ADF Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson. "Many schools are simply not aware of
what the law truly says about public religious expression at Christmastime.
This is a particularly egregious example of political correctness [ed - cultural
Marxism] outweighing common sense."
Heritage Elementary School officials prohibited a student from bringing a
Nativity scene to school and from sharing the Christmas story, banned candy
canes bearing a legendary story about their religious symbolism, and
outlawed cookies in the shape of traditional Christmas symbols. Teachers and
students are also not allowed to refer to school gatherings as "Christmas"
parties.
According to reports ADF has received from parents, Heritage Elementary
School officials have warned students, parents, and teachers that all forms
of religious expression will not be tolerated.
"Banning religious aspects of a federal holiday is not necessary under the
Constitution, and it shows hostility towards the majority of the population
who celebrate the holiday. According to a recent poll, 95 percent of
Americans celebrate Christmas," Johnson said.
Meanwhile, according to another religious freedom activist, teachers in a
Texas public school teachers were informed that they could not mention the
word "Christmas" or tell the historical nativity story because someone in
the district might sue.
"All other secular customs of the 'winter holiday' were deemed to be OK,
just not the religious symbols of Christianity," said John Whitehead of the
Rutherford Institute. "Teaching these lessons to children, who are the
nation's future leaders, does not bode well for America and the future of
our religious freedoms."
--
Jim
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Western_Nationalist
Unite Against Multiculty
"Abolish Multiculty and String Up The Traitors!"