Ninety minutes of school holiday music – and nary a note about Jesus
Why bend over backward to acknowledge religious minorities while singling out Christianity for exclusion? Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins
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Religion and Politics, Christianity
Editorial
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Posted by Derek Hawkins - Dec 15, 2008 - 11:50 PM PST
Reviewed by:
Derek Hawkins (review), Patricia L'Herrou (review), Stephen Selman (review)
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Derek Hawkins - Dec 15, 2008 - 11:50 PM PST
This is a topic which has been debated quite a bit. The author provides anecdotes from her personal experience - the only outside source referenced is the 1995 Clinton document, though it is left to the reader to explore that source's relevence. Otherwise decent opinion piece.
I'm an elementary school music teacher, which a "festival of lights" program (not of my design - it is quite a tradition at the progressive school i'm teaching at). The concert represents Divali, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and arguably Christmas. Songs such as Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming To Town, etc... are not Christian. This is an important distinction to make and one that many I've encountered do not. The program in the past included the singing of "Silent Night," which is ... More »
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the writer makes the point that using traditional christian christmas music in schools isn't against the guidelines, yet , in experiences she cites, it 's not there.. the point has validity. she mentions reasons for this: 'trying not to offend', past history of subjecting minorities to protestant prayers, bible readings, raising political consciousness, but doesn't offer validity to any of them. this story reminds me of discussions against affirmative action.
i too think having some beautiful christmas music coming from christian tradition in schools is good; what bothered me is the writer's apparent lack of any sensitivity to those who might object, altho she says she understands.
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