Religious Holidays in Public Schools

Rockinonahigh · 07-21-2010, 12:34 AM

Black friday...NOOOOOOO not me,id rather walk thrue hot coals barefoot than be caught in any retail store on that day...talk about crazies out there in masses..yikes!!

Unndunn · 07-23-2010, 12:24 AM

I voted "I Don't Care" because none of the other options were close to what I think.

I think each school district should set their calendar based on the members of the community they are providing for. They have the data, and I don't think it would be that difficult to build the schedule around the needs of that particular community. If you know that 75% of your students are muslim, it would make sense to schedule that day off since all of those students would be missing the lessons taught on that day.

It was never an issue in my hometown because there was very little diversity. In my senior class in high school (class of '83) there were two jewish students out of 180 students. I know this because we were in the same home room and they would talk about when they would be out for high holidays, etc. I know that the school didn't count the days they took off for high holidays as absences. It wouldn't have been practical to have school on Christmas when about 99% of the student body would be home celebrating.

It's late and I'm way over tired so I shouldn't even be posting. I don't have any kids, but I do work with children, so school schedules do affect my work schedule.

MsDemeanor · 07-23-2010, 01:22 AM

Too bad we can't just get rid of all this pesky religion silliness, that would solve the issue.

MsDemeanor · 07-23-2010, 02:07 AM

Let's keep something that looks kinda like Christmas, though. I really love the tree and the pretty ornaments and lights on houses and the excuse to bake lots of cookies, and all the prezzies

and the Grinch and stuff. Plus, "Peace on earth and good will" is pretty a good message.

blush · 07-23-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unndunn

I voted "I Don't Care" because none of the other options were close to what I think.

I think each school district should set their calendar based on the members of the community they are providing for. They have the data, and I don't think it would be that difficult to build the schedule around the needs of that particular community. If you know that 75% of your students are muslim, it would make sense to schedule that day off since all of those students would be missing the lessons taught on that day.

It was never an issue in my hometown because there was very little diversity. In my senior class in high school (class of '83) there were two jewish students out of 180 students. I know this because we were in the same home room and they would talk about when they would be out for high holidays, etc. I know that the school didn't count the days they took off for high holidays as absences. It wouldn't have been practical to have school on Christmas when about 99% of the student body would be home celebrating.

It's late and I'm way over tired so I shouldn't even be posting. I don't have any kids, but I do work with children, so school schedules do affect my work schedule.

I have to disagree. In a private school, polling a family's religious beliefs and catering to the majority is plausible. In the public school district I teach in, we do not know the religion of our students(unless the student or parent tells us.)

Furthermore, it is public education, not majority education. It is an easy answer to say, majority rules, but does that teach diversity or acceptance? A break schedule that removes ANY religious acknowledgement separates public schools from favoring one religion over another. Public schools should give students days off without penalty for religious observances.

Toughy · 07-24-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

We have a long history in public schools of separation of church and state.

I'm not so sure this is a true statement. I remember prayer in public schools.........and for some reason it's my 5th grade year that sticks in my mind......that would be 1961-62. Today we have the Christian creation story, now called Intelligent Design, being taught as science in public schools. It's no wonder folks think Fake (Fox) News is actually journalism and news.
------
I say no religious holidays in public schools unless you recognize ALL religious holidays and you also need a holiday for atheists.

Take week long breaks in the school year. I don't know if this is still true today but when I was in public school in the 60's, we could have an excused absence (for I think up to a week) to go deer hunting.

I would like to see high school kids learn about the different religions around the world. But that would open up a big ole can of worms that would be impossible to deal with.

blush · 07-24-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toughy

I'm not so sure this is a true statement. I remember prayer in public schools.........and for some reason it's my 5th grade year that sticks in my mind......that would be 1961-62. Today we have the Christian creation story, now called Intelligent Design, being taught as science in public schools. It's no wonder folks think Fake (Fox) News is actually journalism and news.
------
I say no religious holidays in public schools unless you recognize ALL religious holidays and you also need a holiday for atheists.

Take week long breaks in the school year. I don't know if this is still true today but when I was in public school in the 60's, we could have an excused absence (for I think up to a week) to go deer hunting.

I would like to see high school kids learn about the different religions around the world. But that would open up a big ole can of worms that would be impossible to deal with.

You're right, Toughy. I'm speaking to the idea that our government entities are religiously neutral. This conflicts with our desire for freedom of worship. Prayer in schools and such is an example of this conflict.

Corkey · 07-24-2010, 02:11 PM

I'm going to speak from my *me* for a moment. When I was growing up there was no prayer in schools. The pledge of allegiance yes, and that silly phrase of one nation (under god)..., which I skipped over and reverted to the real pledge one nation indivisible.... Now then for me, my parents said I didn't have to follow in their religious backgrounds, they were both different. They said I could learn all of the different theological groups and decide for myself which was a fit for me.
So I did. Now, the school has no business being in the business of religion, it isn't up to the state to teach one religion over another, hense the separation of church and state in the Constitution. I think it is high time we as a society start following that particular clause.

Glenn · 07-24-2010, 05:42 PM

As founder and designer of the United Gospel Music Center, I included notes in my plans. not to teach classes in Religion, nor to celebrate religious holidays and ceremonies inside, statues, Bibles, etc. It will simply be alive with gospel music all day, along with concerts, and also a music school. There will be only pictures of musicians and composers on the walls.

Julie · 07-24-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unndunn

I voted "I Don't Care" because none of the other options were close to what I think.

I think each school district should set their calendar based on the members of the community they are providing for. They have the data, and I don't think it would be that difficult to build the schedule around the needs of that particular community. If you know that 75% of your students are muslim, it would make sense to schedule that day off since all of those students would be missing the lessons taught on that day.

It was never an issue in my hometown because there was very little diversity. In my senior class in high school (class of '83) there were two jewish students out of 180 students. I know this because we were in the same home room and they would talk about when they would be out for high holidays, etc. I know that the school didn't count the days they took off for high holidays as absences. It wouldn't have been practical to have school on Christmas when about 99% of the student body would be home celebrating.

It's late and I'm way over tired so I shouldn't even be posting. I don't have any kids, but I do work with children, so school schedules do affect my work schedule.

UnDunn -- It becomes more than missing classes on certain days. My kids grew up in a 90% Christian community. I had to purchase Menorahs and Kinara's for the school. While at home we celebrated everything - it really did effect my children when they would see in the classroom all of the holiday art pertaining to the birth of Christ. It became apparent they were "jews/muslims" during the holiday season, yet simply "kids" the other times of the year. I always thought being raised in a lesbian household would be tough for them -but it wasn't the issue at all - it was their religion and the fact they were a minority which stood out.

My kids also when they were young, were not given the jewish or muslim holidays off - only Christian. What about the other religions who do not celebrate any holidays? While today they might call their concerts Holiday Concerts in some communities - it is still filled with songs of Christianity.

And be damned if you do not stand for the pledge of allegiance. Bottom line, we are not all the same when it comes to our religious beliefs - yet we are all the same when it comes to humanity.

This country has a much deeper and richer Native American History -- Perhaps we should cancel out the "invader" religions and stick to Native American religions and honor those.

Julie

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

07-23-2010, 01:22 AM	#3
MsDemeanor Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme Relationship Status: Happily married to MisterMeanor, the man of my dreams Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 703 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 165 Thanked 1,852 Times in 511 Posts Rep Power: 2698180	Too bad we can't just get rid of all this pesky religion silliness, that would solve the issue. __________________ artisan jewelry jewelry gallery

07-23-2010, 02:07 AM	#4
MsDemeanor Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme Relationship Status: Happily married to MisterMeanor, the man of my dreams Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 703 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 165 Thanked 1,852 Times in 511 Posts Rep Power: 2698180	Let's keep something that looks kinda like Christmas, though. I really love the tree and the pretty ornaments and lights on houses and the excuse to bake lots of cookies, and all the prezzies and the Grinch and stuff. Plus, "Peace on earth and good will" is pretty a good message. __________________ artisan jewelry jewelry gallery

07-24-2010, 02:11 PM	#8
Corkey Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Human Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Very Married Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Where I want to be Posts: 8,155 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 47,491 Thanked 29,268 Times in 6,637 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	I'm going to speak from my me for a moment. When I was growing up there was no prayer in schools. The pledge of allegiance yes, and that silly phrase of one nation (under god)..., which I skipped over and reverted to the real pledge one nation indivisible.... Now then for me, my parents said I didn't have to follow in their religious backgrounds, they were both different. They said I could learn all of the different theological groups and decide for myself which was a fit for me. So I did. Now, the school has no business being in the business of religion, it isn't up to the state to teach one religion over another, hense the separation of church and state in the Constitution. I think it is high time we as a society start following that particular clause. __________________ "Many proposals have been made to us to adopt your laws, your religion, your manners and your customs. We would be better pleased with beholding the good effects of these doctrines in your own practices, than with hearing you talk about them". ~Old Tassel, Chief of the Tsalagi (Cherokee)

07-21-2010, 12:34 AM	#1
Rockinonahigh Senior Member How Do You Identify?: stone butch Preferred Pronoun?: makes no diffrence,I know who I am. Relationship Status: single,maybe looking if the right person comes along. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 4,907 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,682 Thanked 14,933 Times in 3,938 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Black friday...NOOOOOOO not me,id rather walk thrue hot coals barefoot than be caught in any retail store on that day...talk about crazies out there in masses..yikes!!

07-23-2010, 12:24 AM	#2
Unndunn Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: doesn't matter to me Relationship Status: single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 122 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 149 Thanked 166 Times in 48 Posts Rep Power: 676964	I voted "I Don't Care" because none of the other options were close to what I think. I think each school district should set their calendar based on the members of the community they are providing for. They have the data, and I don't think it would be that difficult to build the schedule around the needs of that particular community. If you know that 75% of your students are muslim, it would make sense to schedule that day off since all of those students would be missing the lessons taught on that day. It was never an issue in my hometown because there was very little diversity. In my senior class in high school (class of '83) there were two jewish students out of 180 students. I know this because we were in the same home room and they would talk about when they would be out for high holidays, etc. I know that the school didn't count the days they took off for high holidays as absences. It wouldn't have been practical to have school on Christmas when about 99% of the student body would be home celebrating. It's late and I'm way over tired so I shouldn't even be posting. I don't have any kids, but I do work with children, so school schedules do affect my work schedule.

07-24-2010, 05:42 PM	#9
Glenn Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Ol butch bones. Preferred Pronoun?: Old thing Relationship Status: Too old to play. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: :rolleyes: Posts: 1,547 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,602 Thanked 3,729 Times in 1,095 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	As founder and designer of the United Gospel Music Center, I included notes in my plans. not to teach classes in Religion, nor to celebrate religious holidays and ceremonies inside, statues, Bibles, etc. It will simply be alive with gospel music all day, along with concerts, and also a music school. There will be only pictures of musicians and composers on the walls.