25 Answers

The local schools here can still have Christmas parties and sing Christmas songs. 

If someone tries to change it here you might see me in the News...........

I think....oh, oh....here we go again.....         :)       :(

Ducky

@Bob/PKB...pathetic!

I am with Tommy, we are primarily a christian  nation and if the christian belief and celebration offends those of other beliefs they have 2 choices accept they are in our country or 2 bugger off back where they came from.

Who thinks for the briefest of moments if we were in their country we would be shown the same consideration and they not go to the wailing wall etc.

There goes another pig with wings.

As an immigrant my self I agree with PEPLELOVE:accept we are in this country or  bugger off back where we came from.

Ducky

Agreed. Thank you.

Unfortuneate how one can be hurtful to many. Although I am Pagan I take no offense when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I simply reply with " I wish you a Merry Christmas also". It is the polite thing to do because I know they mean well. I usually wish people I don't know a "Happy Holiday" as to not offend. No one has seemed to balk and it works for me. All religions are beautiful and should be respected and tolerated by everyone, especially at this time of year when most celebrate a festival, of their particular faith.

2 words can tell you what i think.Bloody and Ridiculous!

I,m not a religios person but I do respect everyones right to have a belief of their own choosing, remember, you pick your belief, it does not pick you. To get back to the question, in todays multicultural society wouldn,t it be simpler to celebrate all beliefs festivals,think of all the holidays the multicultural kids would have,.....do you think THEY,D be unhappy, I don,t

Colleen

"in todays multicultural society wouldn,t it be simpler to celebrate all beliefs festivals"

True. Think of the diverse education they would get. Some kids might even want to change religions because of it.

The same thing goes on here in the states. Some schools do allow a Christmas party but with no religious undertones to it. Santa and reindeer are the themes. Other schools have no Christmas anything. I kind of agree with no Christmas party. The kids get their winter vacation during the week of the holiday. Their parents can take them to church if that's the way they want to celebrate Christmas or they can take them to the mall to see Santa if they are not religious. To say Merry Christmas at school, does make it of one particular faith and leaves out all the kids who are not Christian but celebrate the holiday for Santa or maybe even the winter solstice as is the Pagan tradition (who had the holiday first). 

The U.S. & Australia are both Christian based countries, the immigrants know this before they arrive, then have the audacity to try an change it because it doesn't suit them, if they don't like it put them all in boat and send them back, but unfortunately the authorities take notice of minority groups --- What happened to majority rules, we are going to end up like Europe inc. the U.K. and have anarchy beween christians and the non - christians. Tommy you said it was hindu that objected, what religion allows cattle to roam the streets unmolested as they are supposedly sacred,  when their is extreme poverty and starvation--- doesn't make sense.

I think that is taking "politically correct" to a new LOW.  
There were some Mormon students in my kids' school.  Every year there was a choral Christmas program (YES, it was a CHRISTMAS program), held at a nearby church that had seating for the 600 or so people who would attend.  
The Mormon students did not participate in the concert.  
At Halloween, there was a class party and the school had a costume parade first thing in the morning.  The Mormon students did not participate in the parade or the party.  
The boy in my eldest son's class really hated not participating.  FINALLY, he told his parents he wanted to be part of his class and participate.  His parents allowed him to do so.
I THINK THE FAMILY THAT PROTESTED SHOULD BE TOLD THEIR CHILDREN WILL BE EXCUSED FROM THE ACTIVITIES, BUT THE SCHOOL IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE ITS POLICY FOR THEM. 

not only are the kids confused so isn't the "authority" that enforces theses "laws" shame on them, but i guess"they" must reconize all "religions or none at all..

I'm sorry but even as a child (and Christian) I  worried about the minority that got ignored at Christmas as it wasn't their belief.  I'm just fair minded.  Celebration should be had by all but just as a celebration.  Separation of church and state. I was taught that in the 4th. grade.

Since 1905 schools in France have been secular and celebration of religious festivals is banned.

Now that 5% of people living in France are Muslims they want things their way, including dress customs, naturally.

Happy Holidays!!  I hope you all enjoy the winter festval of your choosing!!

Ducky

@sadie...In the work force, did you get CHRIST...mas Day off? Did you work CHRIST...mas Day and get paid double time? I hope you turned that extra cash back in to your employer, since it's just a holiday for you.

Colleen

I gladly accepted the "just a holiday" pay for working Christmas. If I worked, that meant a Christian was free not to work. For me Xmas IS just a holiday.

Ducky

I heard that somewhere, Colleen. :)

Well, when I was growing up Our School celebrated Christmas and Hanuukah. They have added teaching about Ramadan(sp) and celebrate Kwanza.  I think that's the way to go.  Gives kids an education, teaches them about diversity and other cultures, and the kids love it!  It never bothered me to learn Hanuukah songs, learn about the festival of lights, etc.

Thank you Tommth for this question.  Plus it is an area that totally pisses me off.  I grew up with Christmas celebrations in school and at home.  Christmas, and the atmosphere that it creates is so exciting and fun to children, even if they are not a Christian.  A lot of grow ups also get excited about the idea of Christmas and Christmas celebrations.  I believe in diversity.  But i do not, do not, believe in somebody coming to the United States and complaining because we celebrate one of our most beloved holidays!  And, with this celebration,  we teach our kids so many valuable lessons, sharing being one,  having emphathy for others, shopping, (keeping the economy going)  learning to not be consumed with their problems, but thinking about others.   For people that do not appreciate our celebrating Christmas in schools,  you  should go but back home. Particularly, if you want to change customs that everybody loves.  It makes me mad.  And we are dumb enough to abide by that crab.  Try to go to a country where they pray three times and day on their knees, and complain.  no telling what might happen to you.  In addition, as we take these cultural traditions out of the schools, very often negative things replace them.  Negative people, gang language, gangsta rap,  etc.  you begin to see kids becoming like the media that they listen to.  Christmas should ABSOLUTELY  NOT, NOT  BE BANNED from SCHOOLS!  Go to a country where you appreciate their celebrations.  Plus it takes a lot of dam nerve to request such insanity.  and some of us are crazy enough to accept that nonsense.    

I do not like it either.  I kind of liked things a lot better when we were able to have things of that nature myself.

They knew the religion of this country before they step their big fat foot in it. Deal with it or leave! I am not a Christian, but I celebrate peace on earth, good will toward men. I celebrate my family, and the love I have for them.

Jesus is a little Hindu God, she should be ashamed. I studied this religion. This is a fact! Someone should have reminded her of this. Frankly if they knew it, she wouldn't have been able to pull this crap! One bad apple destroys all the apples in the apple cart. You have to toss out the bad to save the good. They should have handed her an airline ticket, and said Good Bye to rubbish!

Simply signs of the times.

I do believe though, that it can have a positive effect in the home where it is the most challenging place to live according to one's beliefs.

For instance; if a Christian is not of 'this world' why would they demand anything from this world?

The confusion for a Christian may come from a false belief about what to expect from the world.

Jesus said that He had gone to prepare a place for us. Do we really think that He is preparing a place right down the street from us? Christians need to pray for all people.

If Jesus has saved us from the wages of sin and death; what is it that any man could possibly take from us?

Peter put down your sword!

Colleen

Please do not use questions to preach in. Thank you.

My final say on the matter.This country,like the USA was founded as a primarily christian country.

I am no christian but I can respect their beliefs & enjoy their festivals.

If you can't respect christian customs,DON'T COME HERE!

In Public Schools they need/have to follow "separation of church and state"  that means teaching kids about everyone's holidays without much religious content.  please see my comments above.  Your loved ones (parents etc_) and church (all religious gathering places) have the responsibility to teach kids about their religion.  And Christmas has become a 'secular holiday' to many.  It's not about Christ's birth it's about Santa and exchanging gifts. (I know many non-christians who get a tree, hang stockings, etc.) - not saying that's "right" just stating a fact.  

Christmas for me is working ,religious or  not, its about having time with friends and family, for me its not possible, nor is it for the people I work with, so its about being happy, making others happy and enjoying, and more importantly seeing the joy in their eyes (the clients I work with) when they wake up to a a very special day and get things they don't normally get ,It makes me sick when people bring politics and cultures other than our own to totally spoil a tradition, if they feel strongly they don't need to participate, but leave the rest of us alone

When in Rome

Jesus is the reason for the season. Don't take the Christ out of  Christ mas

It's terrible. They should celebrate Christmas, if the majority are at all leaning toward Christianity . And then, they should acknowledge whatever Hindu holiday there is.