Religious Holidays in Public Schools

AtLast · 07-20-2010, 02:08 PM

My late partner was Pagan and observed Winter Solstice which did not always coincide with the Winter/Christmas break for her as a teacher or her kids in public schools. So, she took them off and had the kids out of school on Pagan ritual celebrations. She actually had to get a letter from an attorney to do so!

This whole thing just gets down to separation of church and state for me like I said before. And the fact that public schools are under a federal department (and non-Christian citizens pay taxes) even with local school districts. They are secular institutions. Of course this has been blurred in the US from the beginning!

I also remember as a kid how other non-Christian (or atheists, agnostic) kids were really ostracized in school because of religious differences. Today, more than ever, I feel respecting and honoring world religions is critical. Remaining locked in a Christian school holiday calendar is not helpful in kids understanding that everyone may or may not believe the same way.

When I think of the hate-crimes based upon religious intolerance, myth, and just plain bigotry, I really see a need to change how public school holiday calendars need to be changed. I also feel that public school curriculums should include modules on world religions and atheism.

I am a person of faith and deeply spiritual, but, I see this as a personal space and have no right to put my spiritual values on anyone else. I want to understand the various religions in the world as well. So much myth and plain misinterpretation going on that leads to hate and violence.

Something I enjoy and that has taught me a lot is going to various religious or spiritual celebrations belonging to others. It enables me to see beyond myself and my religious and spiritual realm. That feels like the true meaning of Grace to me…. Understanding how others experience religion, faith or spirituality.

View Poll Results: what do you think about adding holidays to school calendars?
I think we need to be more inclusive and add other religious holidays	39	41.49%
I think we need to pare it down, we have too many	11	11.70%
I think we need to take all religious holidays out of public school calendars	27	28.72%
I don't care	17	18.09%
Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll

07-20-2010, 02:08 PM	#26
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	My late partner was Pagan and observed Winter Solstice which did not always coincide with the Winter/Christmas break for her as a teacher or her kids in public schools. So, she took them off and had the kids out of school on Pagan ritual celebrations. She actually had to get a letter from an attorney to do so! This whole thing just gets down to separation of church and state for me like I said before. And the fact that public schools are under a federal department (and non-Christian citizens pay taxes) even with local school districts. They are secular institutions. Of course this has been blurred in the US from the beginning! I also remember as a kid how other non-Christian (or atheists, agnostic) kids were really ostracized in school because of religious differences. Today, more than ever, I feel respecting and honoring world religions is critical. Remaining locked in a Christian school holiday calendar is not helpful in kids understanding that everyone may or may not believe the same way. When I think of the hate-crimes based upon religious intolerance, myth, and just plain bigotry, I really see a need to change how public school holiday calendars need to be changed. I also feel that public school curriculums should include modules on world religions and atheism. I am a person of faith and deeply spiritual, but, I see this as a personal space and have no right to put my spiritual values on anyone else. I want to understand the various religions in the world as well. So much myth and plain misinterpretation going on that leads to hate and violence. Something I enjoy and that has taught me a lot is going to various religious or spiritual celebrations belonging to others. It enables me to see beyond myself and my religious and spiritual realm. That feels like the true meaning of Grace to me…. Understanding how others experience religion, faith or spirituality.