This is one LOCALLY ELECTED school board’s absurd response to a reasonable request. It is not Big Brother government. The Muslims in question wanted to simply have their holy days recognized as legitimate reasons for missing school, as are the biggest Christian and Jewish holy days. The board, however, banished Christmas observations mostly so they would not have to recognize anything Muslim.
I had lunch with a Muslim friend last Friday, and we exchanged Christmas gifts. She doesn’t observe Christmas, but has no problem accepting our traditions.
As cdward pointed out, this refers to a single Maryland board which, when requested by Muslim parents to recognize Muslim holidays by including them on the school calendar (but not to make them general holidays), decided to just call Christmas and Easter “winter” and “spring” breaks. So the same holidays, but without the Christian labels. So the decision was not about getting rid of Christian holidays, it was about avoiding recognizing those of other faiths. Which nonetheless looks like it is being twisted backwards to make it into more “war on Christmas” nonsense.
It’s usually not another major religious group like the Muslims, it’s usually an atheist using the pretext that it would offend another religious group.
I am a Christian American. I say Merry Christmas, and Happy Easter. If you don’t like it or it doesn’t pertain to you tough. You don’t have to say it back, just ignore me. Shrug your shoulders, maybe it’ll knock the chip off.
There’s a war on Christmas, alright… and it’s being waged by Christians, trying to claim a martyrs cross when a largely secular society doesn’t honour their holiday just exactly the way they’d like – despite the fact the commercialization and gift giving and general excess of the season make the current holiday resemble nothing so much as the Roman feast of Saturnalia, which Christmas displaced. I’m embarrassed when fellow Christians are so thin-skinned that they can’t recognize what real persecution looks like – and that there is nothing that looks like it here in North America. The rest of society recognizes the absurdity of this supposed war on Christmas – and of American Christians trying to claim persecution.
Templo S.U.D. almost 10 years ago
What is this world coming to?! Not to mention this is the United States which grants religious freedom!
Michael Peterson Premium Member almost 10 years ago
The tricky part is treating one school’s silly response as if it were some kind of national trend … or did I mean “menace”?
cdward almost 10 years ago
This is one LOCALLY ELECTED school board’s absurd response to a reasonable request. It is not Big Brother government. The Muslims in question wanted to simply have their holy days recognized as legitimate reasons for missing school, as are the biggest Christian and Jewish holy days. The board, however, banished Christmas observations mostly so they would not have to recognize anything Muslim.
Olddog1 almost 10 years ago
Montgomery Co. MD. The vacation is still there, but the name is changed.
skyriderwest almost 10 years ago
I had lunch with a Muslim friend last Friday, and we exchanged Christmas gifts. She doesn’t observe Christmas, but has no problem accepting our traditions.
Greg Johnston almost 10 years ago
As cdward pointed out, this refers to a single Maryland board which, when requested by Muslim parents to recognize Muslim holidays by including them on the school calendar (but not to make them general holidays), decided to just call Christmas and Easter “winter” and “spring” breaks. So the same holidays, but without the Christian labels. So the decision was not about getting rid of Christian holidays, it was about avoiding recognizing those of other faiths. Which nonetheless looks like it is being twisted backwards to make it into more “war on Christmas” nonsense.
Comic Minister Premium Member almost 10 years ago
Agreed Zack.
johnjacobsmith almost 10 years ago
A country that does not protect religious freedom is a country not worth fighting for. It’s one of the main things that makes this a great nation.
ottod Premium Member almost 10 years ago
Well, not exactly…:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11128246/KFC-leaves-Muslims-baffled-after-branch-drops-alcohol-hand-wipes-in-halal-mix-up.html
kapppazei almost 10 years ago
It’s usually not another major religious group like the Muslims, it’s usually an atheist using the pretext that it would offend another religious group.
amethyst52 Premium Member almost 10 years ago
I am a Christian American. I say Merry Christmas, and Happy Easter. If you don’t like it or it doesn’t pertain to you tough. You don’t have to say it back, just ignore me. Shrug your shoulders, maybe it’ll knock the chip off.
Greg Johnston almost 10 years ago
There’s a war on Christmas, alright… and it’s being waged by Christians, trying to claim a martyrs cross when a largely secular society doesn’t honour their holiday just exactly the way they’d like – despite the fact the commercialization and gift giving and general excess of the season make the current holiday resemble nothing so much as the Roman feast of Saturnalia, which Christmas displaced. I’m embarrassed when fellow Christians are so thin-skinned that they can’t recognize what real persecution looks like – and that there is nothing that looks like it here in North America. The rest of society recognizes the absurdity of this supposed war on Christmas – and of American Christians trying to claim persecution.